194 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



8. (Fig. 9.) ALTHAEA. Althea, Marshmallow. U. S. 

 Finely cut. Fine powder. 



Althee, Eibisch, G. Guimauve, Fr. 



The peeled roots of Althaea officinalis L., Malvaceae. 



Very light, nearly white, yellowish tinge. 



Faintly fragrant; recalling taraxacum. 



Sweetish, mucilaginous. 



Typical parenchyma cells and abundant mucilage cells, rather 

 small aggregate crystals of calcium oxalate and numerous elongated 

 bast cells; and porous ducts. The bast cells are quite diagnostic. 

 The mucilage bearing cells are larger than the normal parenchyma 

 cells. The starch granules are simple, elliptical, to pear shaped, 

 hili and lamellations indistinct; 5 to 18ju. The larger granules will 

 occasionally show a transversely fissured hilum at the larger end. The 

 unpeeled roots will show the brown to dark cork parenchyma cells. 



Ash of the peeled and unlimed root should not exceed 6.5 per cent. 

 The ash of the unpeeled root should not exceed 10 per cent. 



Among possible adulterations, suspect flour and other starchy 

 cereal meals. Old material may be used. 



