ROOTS AND RHIZOMES. 
158 
LEPTANDRA (Culver’s Root). 
The rhizome and roots of Leptandra Virginica (Fam. 
Scrophulariacese), a perennial herb growing in mead- 
ows and moist woods of the Eastern and Central 
United States and Canada. The rhizome and roots 
are collected in autumn from plants of the second 
year’s growth. 
Description. — Rhizome horizontal, nearly cylindri- 
cal, somewhat branched, 4 to 10 cm. long, 3 to 8 mm. 
in diameter; externally light brown to brownish red; 
annulate from circular scars of bud-scales, upper sur- 
face with conical buds, short stem-remnants or stem- 
scars, the under and side portions with numerous roots 
or root-scars ; fracture tough ; internally, bark dark 
brown, 0 - 3 to 1 mm. thick, wood about 0'5 to T5 mm. 
thick, pith light brown or brownish black ; odor slight ; 
taste bitter, slightly acrid. 
Roots from 1 to 4 cm. long, 0‘5 to 1 mm. in diame- 
ter, externally smooth ; longitudinally wrinkled, frac- 
ture short; internally, bark brownish black, wood light 
brown. 
Constituents. — Leptandrin, a crystalline giucoside; 
resin, about 6 per cent.; saponin; tannin; starch; and 
either a volatile oil or a volatile alkaloid. 
SEKPENTARIA. 
The rhizome and roots of several species of Aristo- 
lochia (Fam. Aristolochiacese), perennial herbs indig- 
enous to the Southern United States. There are two 
commercial varieties: (1) Virginia Snakeroot, yielded 
by Aristolochia Serpentaria, found growing east of the 
Mississippi, and (2) Texas or Red River Snakeroot, 
yielded by Aristolochia reticulata, and growing west of 
the Mississippi. The rhizome and roots are collected 
in autumn and dried. 
