ROOTS AND RHIZOMES. 
141 
APOCYNUM (Canadian Hemp). 
The dried root of Apocynum cannabinum (Fam. 
Apocynacete), a perennial herb growing in fields 
and thickets in the United States and Southern 
Canada. 
Description. — Cylindrical, somewhat branched, 
usually broken into pieces 4 to 10 cm. long, 5 to 10 
mm. in diameter; externally light brown, longitudi- 
nally wrinkled and transversely fissured, with few 
rootlets or rootlet scars; fracture short; internally, bark 
light brown, 1 mm. thick, easily separable from the 
lemon - yellow, porous, slightly radiate wood; odor 
slight; taste of bark bitter and acrid, of wood slightly 
bitter. 
Stem fragments are distinguished by having a 
comparatively thin, finely fibrous bark and a hollow 
center. 
Constituents. — Apocynin an amorphous, resinous 
substance; apocynein a glucoside with the physiologi- 
cal properties of digitalin; resin, tannin, starch and 
about 10 per cent, of ash. 
Allied Plants. — The commercial article frequently 
contains the root of a closely related plant Apocynum 
androssemifolium, which has a thinner bark and contains 
one or more groups of stone cells. 
IPECACUANHA. (Ipecac). 
The dried root of Cephaelis Ipecacuanha (Brotero) 
A. Richard (Syn. Uragoga Ipecacuanha Baillon) (Fam. 
Rubiacese), a shrub indigenous to Brazil, and spar- 
ingly cultivated near Singapore. The commercial 
supply is obtained from Matta Grosso, Brazil, and is 
known as Brazilian or Rio Ipecac. The roots of a 
plant closely related to Cephaelis Ipecacuanha and indi- 
genous to the northern and central portion of the 
