PAREIRA 



l8l 



157. PAREIRA, N.F. PAREIRA 

 PAREIRA BRAVA 



The dry root of Chondoden'dron tomento'sum Ruiz et Pavon. With not more 

 than 5 per cent, of stem bases. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. A vine with twining stem 4 inches in diameter; 

 leaves large, cordate, long-petioled, with entire margins; flowers dioecious ; 

 fruit purplish, ovoid, i -seeded, drupaceous, forming thick clusters resembling 

 "bunches of grapes. 



HABITAT. Brazil. 



FIG. 84. Pareira Cross-section of root. (1.5 diam.) A, E, F, Xylem. B, PhloSm. C, G 

 Rings of stone cells. (Photograph.) 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. A long, branching, woody root, found in commerce in 

 tortuous, subcylindrical pieces, about 100 to 150 mm. (4 to 6 in.) long, and 

 from 20 to 100 mm. (^ to 4 in.) thick. Externally it varies from' brown to 

 light grayish-brown in color, and is marked with fissures, transverse ridges, 

 and longitudinal wrinkles. When cut or sliced it displays a dark brown 

 interior, leaving under the knife a waxy luster. A cross-section displays a 

 thin bark; within this bark circle there are two or more circles (zones) of 

 radiating wood- wedges. About 12 of these wood- wedges are found in the 

 central zone radiating from a common center. The outer circles (zones) 

 of wood-wedges are separated from one another by a narrow line of paren- 

 chyma, stone cells, and compressed cells, and the short, circular, radiating 

 wedges of wood are separated from one another by medullary tissue, making 

 a combination of concentric and radiate arrangement which is quite character- 



