MEZEREUM 



THYMELEACE^E. Mezereum Family 



Shrubby plants, with the bark containing strong bast fibers, and very bitter. 



365. MEZEREUM. MEZEREUM 

 MEZEREON BARK 



The dried bark of Daph'ne meze'reum Linn, or Daphne guidium Linne" or of 



Daphne Laureola. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. A small shrub with smooth, evergreen, lanceo- 

 late leaves. Flowers spicate, appearing before the leaves, rose-colored, 

 4-lobed. Berry bright red, fleshy, i -seeded. 



FIG. 178. Daphne mezereum Fruiting branch and flowers. 



HABITAT. Mountainous regions of Europe, Siberia, Canada, and New 

 England. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. This bark comes to us in tough, pliable strips, 

 from 2 to 4 feet long, 25 mm. (i in.) or less broad, always rolled into 

 bundles or balls; the very thin periderm is of a greenish-orange 



