652 SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED PHARMACOGNOSY 



Constituents. The constituents resemble those of Viburnum 

 prunifolium. 



ADULTERANTS. The bark of Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) has 

 been substituted for Viburnum opulus. The former is distinguished 

 (Fig. 176) by the numerous rhombohedra crystals of calcium oxalate 

 and large groups of bast fibers. 



Literature. Viehoever, Ewing, Clevenger, Jour. A. Pha. A., 1918 

 7, p. 944. 



SAMBUCUS. American or Sweet Elder Flowers. The flowers oi 

 Sambucus canadensis (Fam. Caprifoliacese), a shrub growing in rich 

 or moist soil throughout the eastern and central United States. The 

 plant has odd-pinnate leaves; small white flowers, which are borne 

 in flat cymes; and deep purple or nearly black drupes. The latter 

 are edible and sometimes used in making of a wine. The flowers are 

 gathered in early summer during the dry and hot weather, carefully 

 dried and preserved. 



Description. Usually shriveled and crumb-like, from 1 to 2 mm. 

 in diameter, light and dark yellowish-brown; calyx, ovoid having 5 

 minute teeth; corolla, white when fresh, light brown on drying, urn- 

 shaped and possessing 5 spreading lobes; stamens 5, inserted at the 

 base of the corolla; ovary 3-locular, and containing an ovule in each 

 loculus; odor aromatic; taste mucilaginous and slightly aromatic. 



Inner Structure. Pollen grains numerous, spheroidal, about 

 0.020 mm. in diameter, nearly smooth, and having 3 pores; calyx 

 having broadly conical hairs, about 0.075 in length, the cuticle being 

 distinctly striated. 



Constituents. American elder flowers have not been investi- 

 gated as to their chemical composition. It is very probable, however, 

 that they contain principles similar to the European elder (Sam- 

 bucus nigra). The latter contains a volatile oil, which at ordinary 

 temperatures is a semi-solid mass, having a light yellow- or greenish- 

 yellow color. It has the odor of elder blossoms, which becomes 

 especially pronounced when considerably diluted. Elder flowers 

 also contain mucilage; tannic acid; and yield not more than 8 per 

 cent of ash. 



VALERIANACEJE, OR VALERIAN FAMILY 



A family of about 275 herbs, mostly indigenous to the northern 

 hemispheres. The leaves are opposite; the flowers are usually small, 

 the ovary being inferior; and the fruits are dry and indehiscent. The 

 secretion cells have suberized walls, and contain a volatile oil. In 



