238 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



27. (Fig. 46.) BELLADONNAE RADIX. Belladonna Root. U. S. 



Fl. ex. 40. 



Common names as for belladonna leaves. 



The roots of Atropa belladonna L., Solanaceae. 



No. 60. Dry, starchy or mealy feel. 



Light brownish gray. 



Nearly odorless, slight soil odor, somewhat narcotic when moistened. 



Sweetish, somewhat bitter and pungent. 



Micro-crystalline calcium oxalate filling some of the parenchyma 

 cells; and abundant more or less spheroidal, simple to compound starch 

 granules, with distinct somewhat excentric hili; single granules 6/a 

 to 17/i in diameter; polarizing bands increasing in clearness in direct 

 ratio to size of granules. The minute pyramidal crystals (micro- 

 crystalline) polarize well. 



There should be comparatively little fibrous tissue (ducts, tracheids 

 and wood fibers). There should be no true bast or sclerenchyma. 

 Trichomes practically none and no acicular crystals. 



Ash about 8 per cent. Impurities should not exceed 5 per cent. 



Most common adulterants are, phytolacca root (acicular crystals) ; 

 scopola rhizomes (brown color and larger ducts) ; roots of allied genera; 

 of white clover, old roots and crowns with stem parts (excessively 

 fibrous) . Roots gathered too early are deficient in starch. 



