226 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



21. (Fig. 40.) ASARUM. Wild Ginger. 

 Fl. ex. 60. Syrup, coarse powder. 



Canada snakeroot, E. Hazelwurzel, G. Asaret, Fr. 



The rhizomes and roots of Asarum canadense L., Aristolochioceae. 



Light grayish brown. 



Aromatic, recalling ginger; camphoraceous. 



Very pungent, somewhat bitter. 



Parenchyma of rather loosely united thick walled cells with 

 compound starch granules and larger resin bearing cells; some cork 

 tissue; tracheids; reticulate and spiral ducts. Outer parenchyma 

 cells more or less collenchymatous. Powder turns a deep red with 

 concentrated sulphuric acid. 



In 1897 Bicknell found that A. canadense represented two species, 

 A. canadense and A. reflexum. Histologically the two species resemble 

 each other closely. A. reflexum is apparently more deficient in resin 

 and starch, parenchyma cells have thinner walls. Vascular tissue 

 more deficient. Reaction with sulphuric acid less marked. 



