516 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



197. (Fig. 189.) THEA. Tea. 



[Rolled leaves. Tea-dust. 



Thee, G. Th<, Fr. 



The leaves (younger and older) of Thea sinensis L., Theaceae. 



Very dark green. 



Fragrant; tea-odor. 



Astringent, bitterish. 



Stomata on lower surface only, very numerous, nearly orbicular. 

 Vertical walls of epidermal cells thick, somewhat wavy, with nodular 

 thickenings. Simple, single-celled, thick-walled trichomes. A few 

 large branching stone-cells, from leaf blade. Small aggregate crystals 

 of calcium oxalate. Leaf parenchyma cells thick-walled, with chloro- 

 phyll and aggregate crystals. 



Ash 5.5 per cent. 



Adulterated with various leaves, as willow leaves, poplar leaves, 

 etc. Exhausted leaves are dried, rerolled and mixed with good tea. 

 Colored with Prussian blue and flavored with orange flowers and 

 other fragrant flowers. Tea refuse and sweepings are used. 



