180 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



1. (Fig. 1.) ABSINTHIUM. Absinthium. 

 Fl. ex. 30. Tinct. 30. 



Mugwort, Wormwood, E., Wermuth, Alsei, G., Absinthe commune, 

 Grande absinthe, aluine, Fr. 



The leafy tops of Absinthium vulgare Lam., Composite. 



Grayish green. 



Faintly aromatic, disagreeable and narcotic when briskly rubbed. 



Very bitter, somewhat saline. 



The most distinctive tissue elements are the very abundant T- 

 shaped, rather thin- walled trichomes with three to four basal cells; 

 the rather large, yellowish, sessile, glandular trichomes with several 

 vertical tiers of cells, are also quite diagnostic; some pollen grains 

 presenting the characteristics of the pollen of the order Compositae 

 will generally be found. The vertical walls of the epidermal cells 

 are wavy or sinuate and the stomata are abundant and fairly large. 



Compare with Achillea and insect powder which are similar in 

 certain of the histological characteristics. 



Ash should not exceed 13 per cent. 



Related species may be used as adulterants or may be substituted 

 for it, although this is of rare occurrence. 



