472 BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



The following emetic drugs are obtained from plants belonging 

 to the ViOLACE^ : lonidium or the so-called White Ipecac is ob- 

 tained from the root of Hybanthus Ipecacuanha of Brazil. It is eas- 

 ily distinguished from ipecac by being somewhat branched, larger 

 and with a thin bark. An emetic principle is also present in the 

 roots of other species of Hybanthus, the root of Anchieta salutaris 

 of Brazil, and possibly also in the rhizome of Viola odorata. 



A few emetic drugs are also obtained from plants belonging 

 to the MeliacEvE. The alkaloid naregamine is found in the Goan- 

 ese Ipecac derived from Naregamia alata of the East Indies. The 

 alkaloid rusbyine is found in the bark of Cocillana (Guarea 

 Rnsbyi) of Bolivia, a drug having properties similar to those of 

 Ipecac. The roots of several of the Polygalas (Fam. Poly- 

 galaceje) possess emetic properties, viz. : P. scoparia of Mexico 

 and P. angulata of Brazil. The root of the latter plant, which is 

 also known as White Ipecac {Poaya blanca) resembles senega, 

 is free from starch and contains considerable saponin. 



GLYCYRRHIZA.— LICORICE ROOT.— The dried rhizome 

 and root of Glycyrrhinaglabra, and of the var. glandulifera ( Fam. 

 Leguminosse), perennial herbs (Fig. 151), found growing in the 

 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region and Eastern Asia 

 and cultivated in Spain, Russia, other parts of Europe and to a 

 limited extent in the United States (p. 294). There are two 

 principal commercial varieties : ( i ) Spanish Licorice, yielded by 

 cultivated plants of G. glabra, and chiefly exported from Spain 

 and Southern France, and (2) Russian Licorice, obtained from 

 wild plants of G. glabra glandidifera or G. echinata, growing in 

 Southern Russia. The latter consists more largely of roots which 

 are deprived of the periderin, whereas the Spanish variety con- 

 sists mostly of rhizomes. 



Spanish Licorice. — Nearly cylindrical, more or less tortuous, 

 cut or broken into pieces 14 to 20 cm. long, 5 to 25 mm. in diam- 

 eter; crown knotty; externally dark brown, longitudinally wrin- 

 kled or furrowed, with few rootlet-scars, rhizome with corky 

 patches and numerous small conical buds; fracture coarsely 

 fibrous; internally lemon-yellow, radiate, bark i to 3 mm. thick, 

 wood porous, rhizome with small pith ; odor distinct ; taste sweet- 

 ish, slightly acrid. 



