5o6 BOTANY AND PHARMACOGNOSY. 



PODOPHYLLUM.— MAY APPLE.— The rhizome of Podo- 

 phylhim peltatum (Fam. Berberidacese), a perennial herb (Fig. 

 222) indigenous to Eastern North America (p. 273). The rhi- 

 zome is collected late in summer and dried, after the removal of 

 the rootlets. 



Fig. 222. May apple {Podophyllum peltatum): i, flower; 2, berry-like fruit; 3,4, 

 flowering and fruiting plants showing long, slender, branching rhizomes. 



Description. — Horizontal, nearly cylindrical, flattened, some- 

 times branched, jointed, in pieces 3 to 8 cm. long, internodes 4 to 

 10 cm. long, 5 to 9 mm. in diameter, nodes 7 to 18 mm. in diam- 

 eter and 5 to 12 mm. thick; externally dark brown, longitudinally 

 wrinkled or nearly smooth, with irregular scars of bud-scales, 



