538 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



somewhat acrid. The drug contains an acrid, saponin-like gluco- 

 side, leontin ; a crystalline alkaloid, caulophylline ; two resins ; and 

 starch. For analysis of the seeds see Chem. News, 1908, p. 180. 



Podophyllum peltatum or May apple is the source of the official 

 podophyllum. This is an early, herbaceous, low, perennial plant 

 forming large patches by reason of its long dichotomously branch- 



FIG. 300. A group of transplanted plants, showing in the upper portion 

 a fruiting plant of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides') . 



ing rhizome (Fig. 182). It forms two kinds of branches, one 

 bearing a single, peltate, 5- to 7-lobed leaf ; and another bearing 

 in the axil of two similar leaves a white flower which gives rise 

 to a large, yellowish, ovoid berry which is edible. 



d. MENISPERMACE^: OR MOONSEED FAMILY. 

 The plants are climbing or twining, herbaceous or woody vines 

 with simple, entire or lobed leaves and small, greenish-white dice- 



