Zanthorhiza apiifolia. «B05 
and flattened. The period of florescence is April. The specific name 
tinctoria was given to it by the late Professor Woodhouse in allusion 
to its dying property, that of Marbosia by Bartram in honour of M. de 
Marbois—but as L’Heritier’s name seems most appropriate I have 
adopted it. 
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES, 
The medical virtues of this shrub are those of a very pure tonic 
bitter. Both the wood and bark of the root may be used, but only the 
bark of the stems, according to Dr. Woodhouse. The shrub contains 
a gum anda resin, both intensely bitter; the resin is more abundant 
than the gum. 
Dr. Woodhouse used the powdered stem and root in the dose of 
two scruples for an adult, combined with other remedies, in many 
of those cases in which bitters are recommended. It agrees well 
with the stomach, and as astrong and pleasant bitter, it may be consi- 
dered as a useful addition to the Materia Medica. It was the opinion 
of the late Professor Barton, that the Zanthorhiza was a more intense 
bitter than Columbo. He thought the bitterness of the wood of the 
root was not so great as of the bark. Sulphat of iron does not alter 
the colour ofan infusion of the bark of this root in hot water. Yet 
its after taste of acrimony or pungency on the palate seems to jus- 
tify the opinion, that it is a less pure bitter than Columbo—though 
very nearly allied to it. 
