156 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



The chemical composition of the root has been studied by 

 Dulong. 1 It includes a non-nitrogenous principle, plumbagin, 

 existing in the form of orange-yellow needles, bitter, acrid, 

 volatile, neutral, slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in 

 ether, alcohol and hot water. The aqueous solution becomes 

 cherry-red on the addition of an alkali, which color is changed 

 to yellow by acids. Basic acetate of lead causes the same color 

 change. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. Plant with stem declined, angu- 

 lar. Leaves lanceolate, entire, rather downy. Petioles at their 

 base embrace the stem. Flowers white, in axillary spikes. 

 Individual involucres, 3 oval leaflets, the lower larger. Calyx 

 long, cleft almost to the base in 5 lineal parts thickly set with 

 small glands, exuding a sticky gum. Corolla salver-shaped, 

 the tube long, square, throat bare, limb divided into 5 obovate 

 parts, ending in stylets. Stamens 5, inserted near the base of 

 the corolla, almost as long as the tube. Style a little shorter 

 than the stamens. Stigma, 5 parts. One long seed enclosed 

 within the calyx, pentangular, covered with a membranaceous 

 skin. 



HABITAT. In Tanauan (Batangas). 



SAPOTACEJE. 



Sapodilla Family. 

 Achras Sapota, L. 



NOM. VULG. Chico, Sp.-Fil.; Tsiku, Tag. 



TJ (SES . The chico is one of the popular fruits of the Philip- 

 pines, much appreciated by Europeans as well as the natives. 

 When not entirely ripe it yields a resinous juice that sticks to 

 the lips and affords a disagreeable taste ; but when once thor- 

 oughly ripe it has a slightly vinous, sweetish taste and is easily 

 digested. Therapeutically its seeds are used as a diuretic, but 

 'Journal de Pharmacie, Vol. XIV., p. 441. 



