FLOWERS. 
181 
brown middle portion and whitish margin; receptacle 
flat, naked, with three to six unexpanded, perfect tubu- 
lar flowers about 1'5 mm. long and completely inclosed 
by the upper bracts ; ovary oblong ; pappus wanting ; 
odor distinct ; taste aromatic. 
Constituents. — A crystalline neutral principle, san- 
tonin, which occurs to the extent of 2 to 3 5 per cent.) 
just before the expansion of the flowers; volatile oil 
about 2 per cent.; a crystalline principle artemisin, 
which is apparently oxysantonin; and a resin. 
ROSA GALLICA (Red Rose). 
The petals of Rosa Gallica (Fam. Rosaces;), a shrub 
indigenous to Southern Europe and probably Western 
Asia, and extensively cultivated in all parts of the 
world. The petals are obtained from cultivated plants 
before the expansion of the flower, the lower clawed 
portion usually being removed ; they are used fresh or 
they are carefully dried and preserved. The chief 
supply of the drug is from the south of France. 
Description. — Imbricated, numerous, usually in 
small cones ; petals broadly ovate, the upper part rose- 
colored and rctuse, the lower part brownish red, more 
or less rounded, acute or truncate, with numerous 
papillie and fine longitudinal veins; texture velvety ; 
odor agreeable ; taste astringent and slightly bitter. 
Constituents. — Volatile oil in small amount; a 
yellow, crystalline glucoside quercitrin, which yields, 
on decomposition, quercetin ; tannin and gallic acid. 
Allied Plants. — The petals of Rosa centifolia are 
collected after the expansion of the flowers and dried ; 
they are brownish and not so fragrant as those of 
Rosa gallica. The flowers of cultivated plants of 
Rosa Darnascena yield the commercial volatile oil of 
rose. 
