STILLINGIA 



283 



in a terminal spike (the fertile flowers at the base), with saucer-shaped glands 

 at the base of each; stamens 2 or 3; style i; stigmas 3. Capsule 3-celled, 3- 

 lobed, 3-seeded. 



HABITAT. United States, from Virginia to Florida, in sandy soil. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. A subcylindrical root, 300 mm. (i ft.) long, 

 25 to 50 mm. (i to 2 in.) or more thick, slightly tapering and spar- 

 ingly branched; compact; fracture fibrous; odor distinct, peculiar, 



FIG. 161. SMlingia sylvatica Branch. 



stronger and disagreeable when fresh; taste bitterish and pungent, 

 persistently acrid. 



The color of the exterior surface varies considerably, due; probably, 

 to the varied character of the soils in which the plants grow. Roughly 

 speaking, the roots would thus be classified into light and dark stillin- 

 gias. By the accidental removal of their outer bark the pinkish 

 inner bark is exposed. Transversely the woody cortex is seen to 

 occupy about one-half of the diameter of the root. Around this is 

 disposed the thick bark containing numerous bast fibers separately 

 imbedded in the parenchyma. The cambium line is composed of 

 distinctly marked flat cells. Woody center radiate, through which 



