Amenta'ceæ

Amenta'ceæ, a vast order of very varying limits, consisting of trees and shrubs, whose flowers are unisexual, the male flowers, and very often also the female flowers, disposed in amenta or Catkins (q.v.), and the perianth either wanting or incomplete. The Amentaceæ include as sub-orders the Cupuliferae (see Alder, Birch, Hazel, Hornbeam, Beech, Oak, Chestnut) and the Juglandaceæ (see Walnut, Hickory). In the most comprehensive sense, the Amentaceæ are also frequently reckoned to include the Myricaceæ (see Gale), the Casuarineæ (see Beefwood), the Salicaceæ (see Willow), and even the Piperaceæ (see Pepper).