CRUDE DRUGS. 



577 



Description. Drupe superior, fleshy, ellipsoidal, more of 

 less compressed, 3.5 to 4 cm. long, about 3 cm. broad; exter- 

 nally brownish-black, glabrous, wrinkled, with two faint lines 



Fig. 251. Saw palmetto (Serenoa serrulaia): A, fruiting branch; B, longitudinal sec- 

 tion of fruit showing short stalk (s), epicarp (c), sarcocarp (s),.endocarp (n), and anatropous 

 seed with raphe (a); C, cross-section of outer portion of fruit showing epidermis (e) com- 

 posed of several layers of cells having a dark reddish-brown content, cells of sarcocarp (p) 

 with reddish-brown content and oil; D, a sclerotic cell from the sarcocarp showing the fine 

 radiating pores and concentric lamella of the wall; E, sclerotic cells from endocarp; F, 

 cross-section of portion of seed showing epidermal cells (e), large parenchyma cells (p), 

 inner epidermis (x), perisperm (r), endosperm (n) ; G, some thick-walled endosperm cells 

 from the inner portion of seed. 



indicating the dorsal and ventral sutures, apex wdth a slight scar 

 from the remains of the style, base with a depressed stalk-scar 

 3 to 5 mm. in diameter, sarcocarp yellowish-browai, fleshy, some- 

 what stringy, 1.5 cm. thick; taste sweet and acidulous; endocarp 



37 



