450 BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



Jamaica Sarsaparilla occurs in rather loose bundles. The 

 roots are especially marked b}' the numerous coarse rootlets. The 

 cells of the hypodermis and endodermis somewhat resemble those 

 of Mexican sarsaparilla. 



Constituents. Sarsaparilla contains three glucosidal prin- 

 ciples, which are present to the extent of about 3 per cent. paril- 

 lin, saponin and sarsosaponin, of which the latter is the most 

 active; it also contains about 15 per cent, of starch; raphides of 

 calcium oxalate ; volatile oil, and resin. 



Allied Products. American Sarsaparilla is the rhizome 

 of wild or Mrt^inia sarsaparilla {Aralia niidicauUs, Fam. Arali- 

 acese), a perennial acaulescent herb, indigenous to Canada and the 

 Northern United States as far west as Nebraska. The rhizome 

 is of variable length, from 5 to 15 mm. thick ; externally brownish- 

 gray and somewhat annulate ; internally light brown, more or 

 less spongy, and having an aromatic odor and taste. It contains 

 about 0.33 per cent, of a volatile oil, which is bitter and pungent ; 

 2 per cent, of resin ; tannin, starch and rosette aggregates of 

 calcium oxalate (Fig. 192). 



The rhizome and roots of American spikenard (Aralia racc- 

 iiwsa), growing in the Eastern and Central United States, have 

 constituents similar to those of A. nudicauUs, but are more aro- 

 matic. The bark of Hercules' Club {Aralia spinosa), of the East- 

 ern and Central United States, contains the glucoside araliin and 

 possibly also saponin. 



The roots of Coccuhis viUosns (Fam. Menispermacese) are 

 used in the East Indies like sarsaparilla. 



ALTH^A. MARSHMALLOW. The dried root of Al- 

 thcca oMcinalis (Fam. Malvaceae), a perennial herb (p. 329) native 

 of Central and Southern Europe, and naturalized in the United 

 States in the marshes from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. The 

 commercial supply is obtained from plants cultivated in Germany, 

 France and Holland. The roots are collected from plants of the 

 second year's growth, and the periderm and rootlets are removed. 



Description. Nearly entire, cylindrical, tapering, 10 to 20 

 cm. long, 5 to 20 mm. in diameter; externally very light brown, 

 obscurely 4- to 6-angled, deeply furrowed longitudinally, covered 

 with detachable bast fibers, with few circular root-scars ; fracture 



