436 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



149. (Fig. 147.) PHYTOLACCA. Phytolacca-Berry. 

 Fl. ex. 20. 



Pokeberry, E. Amerikanische Kermesbeere, G. Raisin d'Amerique, 

 Fr. 



The fruit of Phytolacca decandra L., Phytolaccaceae. 



Very dark; particles adhering, sticky. 



Odor peculiar; recalling roasted chicory. 



Sweetish, somewhat pungent. 



Epidermal cells of pericarp brown, polygonal, walls thin, trans- 

 versely very finely porous; showing nuclei and proteid matter. Below 

 this a layer of brownish cells with thin, delicately wavy vertical walls. 

 Pericarp parenchyma of very thin-walled polygonal cells entirely filled 

 with small spherical to prismatic granules. Outer layer of seed coat 

 deep reddish brown vertically elongated thick-walled, porous, scleren- 

 chyma cells. Endosperm cells rather small, containing oil globules and 

 small spherical granules. 



