122 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



efficient dose has been absorbed. This is manifestly impractical 

 and we therefore maintain that the alkaloid is not suited for the 

 treatment of children. 



An analysis of the root bark made by the French chemist 

 Tanret revealed the presence of four alkaloids : pelletierine, iso- 

 pelletierine (C 8 H 15 NO), pseudo-pelletierine (C g H 16 NO), and me- 

 thylpeletierine (C g H 17 NO). 



Botanical Description. — A shrub 6-9° high with branches 

 terminating in thorns ; some of the branches abort and form 

 thorns. Leaves simple, oval, oblong, without stipules, with 

 short petioles. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pauciflorous 

 cymes. Calyx, 4-8 sepals, persistent, fleshy, yellow or red. 

 Corolla, 4-8 petals, imbricated. Stamens numerous, free. 

 Style 1 . Stigma thick. Fruit with leathery rind, about size 

 of small apple, packed with seeds, each imbedded in a small 

 amount of crisp, juicy pulp. 



ONAGRAOEiE. 



Evening Primrose Family. 

 Jussiaea suffruticosa, L. (J. villosa, Lam.; J. ereda, Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Malapoko, Tag. 



Uses. — The entire plant reduced to a pulp and mixed with 

 milk is used in India to treat dysentery. Ainslie states that 

 the decoction is employed as a vermifuge and purgative. 



Botanical Description. — An herb with square stem, leaves 

 alternate, lanceolate, nearly entire, glabrous. Flowers axillary, 

 yellow, solitary. Calyx of 4-5 lobules. Corolla, 4 lanceolate 

 petals inserted between the divisions of the calyx. Stamens 8, 

 of these 4 alternate being shorter. Ovary very long, inferior, 

 with 4 many-ovuled locules. Style the same length as the 

 stamens. Stigma 4-lobuled. Seed vessels very long, with faint 

 longitudinal ridges, crowned by the remains of the calyx, 4 

 pluriovulate locules. 



