PODOPHYLLUM 231 



consist of a chain of cells, the terminal one of which is filled with a 

 yellowish or brownish amorphous substance. 



PODOPHYLLUM. May Apple. The rhizome of Podophyllum 

 peltatum (Fam. Berberidacese), a perennial herb (Fig. 102) indigenous 

 to eastern North America. The rhizome is colhcted late in summer 

 and dried, after the removal of the rootlets. Russell obtained the 

 greatest percentage of resin in the early spring-collected drug. Scott 

 and Petry found the resin to vary in plants grown in different soils 

 and different seasons of the year. Most of the commercial supplies 

 come from the Central States. Both the leaves and the fruit appar- 



FIG. 102. Top of fertile shoot of May apple (Podophyllum peltatum) having 

 two large peltate, palmately-lobed leaves, in the axil of which arises the 

 fleshy fruit, shown in longitudinal section and containing numerous truncate, 

 ovoid seeds. 



ently contain a purgative resin similar to that found in the rhizome. 

 The berry, which is known as May, Indian, hog or devil's apple, 

 wild or ground lemon, and raccoon-berry, is generally considered to 

 be edible, but several cases of poisoning from eating it have been 

 recorded. 



Description. Horizontal, nearly cylindrical, flattened, some- 

 times branched, jointed, in pieces 3 to 8 cm. in length, internodes 

 4 to 10 cm. in length, 5 to 9 mm. in diameter, nodes 7 to 18 mm. in 

 diameter and 5 to 12 mm. in thickness; externally dark brown, 



