302 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



67. (Fig. 77.) COLCHICUM CORM. U. S. 



Fl. ex. 60. Tinct. 30. 



The corms of Colchicum autumnale L. Liliaceae. 



Dry, starchy or mealy feel. 



Grayish light brown. 



Odorless. 



Sweetish, bitter, pungent. 



Large, thin-walled parenchyma cells filled with starch. Vascular 

 tissue (spiral ducts) sparingly present. Some thick-walled porous 

 parenchyma. Trace of suberized tissue. Starch granules single, 

 two- and three-compound, less commonly four-compound; 7/x to 21ju; 

 hili very prominent, centric, radiately fissured; cross bands marked, 

 right angled but becoming indistinct centrally because of the large 

 fissured hili. 



Reddish yellow with concentrated sulphuric acid. 



Ash about 3 per cent. Impurities must not exceed 5 per cent. 



On account of the characteristic starch granules, adulterations 

 are quite readily detected. None or only a small amount of the starch 

 should be pasty (use of heat to aid drying). 



