BERBERIDACE^E 



Bark below); odor slightly aromatic; taste bitter. It contains five alkaloids, 

 of which berberine is the most interesting. Used as a tonic in doses of 30 

 to 60 gi. (2 to 4 Gm.). 



164. BERBERIS CORTEX BARBERRY BARK. The bark of the above root, 

 coming in long, thin pieces, exfoliating, or separating into thin layers; outer 

 surface yellowish-gray; inner surface bright yellow. It contains the same 

 alkaloids as the root, but in greater proportion. This species is the host plant 

 for the common wheat rust (Puccinia graminis) in its accidio stage. The 

 leaves when parasiticized by this fungus seem to be covered with yellow spots, 

 the openings of the cups in which the spores are borne. Dose: 3 to 10 gr. 

 (0.2 to 0.6 Gm.). 



165. BERBERIS, N.F. 



BERBERIS. (OREGON GRAPE.) The rhizome and roots of species of the section 

 Odostemon Refinesque of the genus Berberis Linne 1 , without the admixture of 

 more than 5 per cent, of the overground parts of the plant or other foreign 

 matter. Berberis without the bark should be rejected. 



FIG. 92. Berberis. Cross-section of rhizome. (22 diam.) A, Cork. B, Group ; oKbast fibers. 

 C. Medullary ray. D. Xylem. (Photomicrograph.) 



In more or less knotty irregular pieces of varying length and from 3 to 

 50 mm. in diameter; bark from 0.5 to 2 mm. thick; wood yellowish, distinctly 

 radiate, with narrow medullary rays, hard and tough; rhizome with a small 

 pith; odor distinct; taste bitterish. 



Powder. Yellowish-brown composed chiefly of fragments' of wood^ fibers 

 associated with a few tracheas and medullary rays. Wood fibers yellow with large 

 simple transverse pores; tracheag chiefly with bordered pores occasionally reticu- 

 late; starch grains single or 2 to 3 compound. The individual grains are irregu- 

 larly spherical. 



