502 



BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



ing west of the Mississippi. The rhizome and roots are collected 

 in autumn and dried (p. 260). 



Virginia Snakeroot. — Rhizome oblique, sub-cylindrical, with 

 numerous roots (Fig. 220) and frequently with leaves or- fruiting 

 stems, 10 to 25 mm. long, and 2 to 4 mm. in diameter ; externally 

 dark brown, slightly annulate from scars of bud-scales, upper por- 



FlG. 



220. Serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot) showing oblique rhizomes 

 with numerous long, slender roots. 



tion with stem-scars or stem-remnants, under and side portions 

 with numerous roots and root-scars ; fracture short ; internally, 

 bark dark brown, 0.3 to 0.5 mm. thick, wood yellow, radiate, por- 

 ous, I to 1.5 mm. thick, pith i mm. in diameter; odor terebinthin- 

 ate ; taste bitter, aromatic. 



Roots nearly straight, 4 to 7 cm. long, about 0.5 mm. in diam- 

 eter, longitudinally wrinkled, bark light brown, wood yellowish, 

 5-rayed. 



