Order 5. =Phytolaccaceæ.= The ☿ (sometimes unisexual), regular, sometimes slightly perigynous flowers are inconspicuous and have a single sepaloid or coloured 4–5-leaved perianth (generally united at the base); stamens either in 1 whorl in the spaces between the perianth-leaves or in 1 whorl opposite the perianth-leaves, or in 2, one of which alternates with these; but the number may be increased by the splitting of one or of both the whorls to as many as 10–15–20–25. _Carpels_ sometimes only one, sometimes _many_ (4–10) placed in a whorl, either free or united into a gynœceum with a corresponding number of loculi in the ovary; but in all cases _each carpel bears only its own style and 1 ovule_. The fruit is a _berry_ (or nut, capsule, or schizocarp).--Mostly herbs or herbaceous shrubs, with scattered, simple leaves without stipules (_Petiverieæ_; have stipules). Inflorescences, most frequently _racemes_ or spikes, which in some instances are apparently placed opposite to a leaf, being displaced by a more vigorous growth of the axillary bud. Embryo always bent.--_Petiveria_ has a straight embryo with rolled cotyledons.--_Phytolacca_, _Pircunia_, _Microtea_, _Seguieria_, _Rivina_ (Pr4, A4, G1; berry), and others. The following plant is, with some doubt, placed near this order: _Thelygonum cynocrambe_; monœcious. ♂-flowers: perianth, 2-leaved; stamens indefinite. ♀-flowers: perianth-leaves united, 3-toothed; G1, style gynobasic. Fruit a drupe. An annual plant; Mediterranean. Branching anomalous. About 90 species; in tropical and temperate countries, principally America and Africa.--The red juice in the fruits, especially of _Phytol. decandra_, is used for colouring wine.