372 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



112. (Fig. 113.) HYDRASTIS. Hydrastis. U. S. 

 Fl. ex. 60. Tinct. 60. 



Golden-seal, Yellow-root, Yellow puccoon, Orange-root, Indian dye, 

 Indian tumeric, E. Canadische Gelbwurzel, G. Racine orange, 

 Sceau d'or, Fr. 



The rhizomes and roots of Hydraslis canadensis L., Ranunculacese. 



Bright lemon yellow. 



Soil odor, peculiar. 



Very bitter. 



Outer rather dark cork tissue. Typical rather thin- walled pa- 

 renchyma; outer parenchyma somewhat colenchymatous. The starch 

 is not very abundant, mostly -simple, also compound and a few ag- 

 gregates. Simple granules measure from 5 to 11/i. Hili indistinct and 

 no polarizing phenomena. Porous, not large, ducts and tracheids. 

 Some parenchyma cells and most of the ducts contain a bright yellow 

 resin. 



Ash 9.5 per cent. 



Said to be adulterated with curcuma, serpentaria, cypripedium 

 and several other roots. Despite the high price of the drug it is com- 

 paratively rarely adulterated. 



