SARSAPARILLA 10$ 



veined. The perianth consists of six divisions; anthers introrse; ovary superior, 

 usually 3-celled. 



Synopsis of Drugs from the Liliaceoe 



A. Root. C. Bulbs. P. Inspissated Juices. 



SARSAPARILLA, *Allium, 66. ALOE, 70. 



58. SCILLA, 67. Aloe Barbadensis, 



B. Rhizomes. D. Corm. 70 a. 



*Convallaria, 59. COLCHICI COR- Aloe Capensis, 70 b. 



VERATRUM, 60. MUS, 68. Aloe Socotrina, 70 c. 



Veratrum Album, E. Seeds. G. Resin. 



60 a. COLCHICI SEMEN, Xanthorrhcea, 71. 



Polygonatum, 62. 69. H. Leaves. 



Chamselirium, 63. Sabadilla, 61. Erythronium, 72. 

 "Trillium, 64. 



Asparagus, 65. 



58. SARSAPARILLA. SARSAPARILLA 



SARSAPARILLA 



The dried root of Smi'lax officinalis Kunth, Smi'lax med'ica Chamisso et Schlech- 

 tendal, Smilax papyra'cea Duhamel, Smilax ornata Hooker, and of other 

 undetermined species of Smilax. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Evergreen, climbing, shrubby plants. Stem 

 prickly. Leaves alternate, netted-veined, coriaceous, ovate-oblong, with a 

 cordate base, I foot long and 4 to 5 inches broad. Flowers in axillary clusters, 

 dioecious; stigmas 3, sessile. Fruit a globular, i- to 3-seeded berry. 



HABITAT. Tropical America, in swampy forests. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. The varieties used in medicine have a thick, 

 knotty rhizome (which, if present, should be removed) from which 

 grow in a horizontal direction the fleshy roots. These appear in the 

 market several feet in length, cylindrical, about the thickness of a 

 quill, very flexible; externally longitudinally wrinkled, of various 

 colors, depending upon the variety, generally ash-colored, grayish- 

 brown, or reddish-brown; internally whitish, horny, or occasionally 

 mealy; nearly inodorous; taste mucilaginous, bitter, and acrid. 



STRUCTURE. A transverse section shows a thin, easily removed epidermis 

 overlaying a thick cortical layer; this inner bark consists of loose 

 parenchyma, the cells of which, when not devoid of solid contents, are 

 filled with starch-granules or paste, and occasionally calcium oxalate 

 raphides; a brownish ring (nucleus sheath) separates it from the woody 

 center, which is made up of elongated woody cells. A small pith 

 runs through the center of this woody zone. 



VARIETIES. There are four principal varieties of sarsaparilla, differing 

 somewhat in appearance, and especially in the condition of the 

 starch. 



(a) Mealy starch in granules (see Part iv). 

 The Honduras sarsaparilla is the kind most generally used in this 

 country. It is grayish or grayish-brown from adhering dirt, beset 



