156 



THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



The chemical composition of the root has been studied by 

 Dulong. 1 It includes a non-nitrogenous principle, plumbagin, 

 existing in the form of orange-yellow needles, bitter, acrid, 

 volatile, neutral, slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in 

 ether, alcohol and hot water. The aqueous solution becomes 

 cherry-red on the addition of an alkali, which color is changed 

 to yellow by acids. Basic acetate of lead causes the same color 

 change. 



Botanical Description. — Plant with stem declined, angu- 

 lar. Leaves lanceolate, entire, rather downy. Petioles at their 

 base embrace the stem. Flowers white, in axillary spikes. 

 Individual involucres, 3 oval leaflets, the lower larger. Calyx 

 long, cleft almost to the base in 5 lineal parts thickly set with 

 small glands, exuding a sticky gum. Corolla salver-shaped, 

 the tube long, square, throat bare, limb divided into 5 obovate 

 parts, ending in stylets. Stamens 5, inserted near the base of 

 the corolla, almost as long as the tube. Style a little shorter 

 than the stamens. Stigma, 5 parts. One long seed enclosed 

 within the calyx, pentangular, covered with a membranaceous 

 skin. 



Habitat. — In Tanauan (Batangas). 



SAPOTACEJE. 



Sapodilla Family. 

 Achras Sapota, L. 



Nom. Vulg. — Chico, Sp.-Fil.; Tsiku, Tag. 



Uses. — The chico is one of the popular fruits of the Philip- 

 pines, much appreciated by Europeans as well as the natives. 

 When not entirely ripe it yields a resinous juice that sticks to 

 the lips and affords a disagreeable taste ; but when once thor- 

 oughly ripe it has a slightly vinous, sweetish taste and is easily 

 digested. Therapeutically its seeds are used as a diuretic, but 



Journal de Pharmacie, Vol. XIV., p. 441. 



