U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY—BULLETIN NO. 107.
B. T. GALLOWAY, _Chief of Bureau_.
AMERICAN ROOT DRUGS.
BY
ALICE HENKEL,
ASSISTANT, DRUG-PLANT INVESTIGATIONS.
ISSUED OCTOBER 25, 1907.
[Illustration]
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1907.
BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY.
_Pathologist and Physiologist, and Chief of Bureau_, Beverly T.
Galloway.
_Pathologist and Physiologist, and Assistant Chief of Bureau_, Albert
F. Woods.
_Laboratory of Plant Pathology_, Erwin F. Smith, Pathologist in
Charge.
_Investigations of Diseases of Fruits_, Merton B. Waite, Pathologist
in Charge.
_Laboratory of Forest Pathology_, Haven Metcalf, Pathologist in
Charge.
_Plant Life History Investigations_, Walter T. Swingle, Physiologist
in Charge.
_Cotton and Tobacco Breeding Investigations_, Archibald D. Shamel,
Physiologist in Charge.
_Corn Investigations_, Charles P. Hartley, Physiologist in Charge.
_Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant Breeding Investigations_, Thomas
H. Kearney, Physiologist in Charge.
_Soil Bacteriology and Water Purification Investigations_, Karl F.
Kellerman, Physiologist in Charge.
_Bionomic Investigations of Tropical and Subtropical Plants_, Orator
F. Cook, Bionomist in Charge.
_Drug and Poisonous Plant Investigations and Tea Culture
Investigations_, Rodney H. True, Physiologist in Charge.
_Physical Laboratory_, Lyman J. Briggs, Physicist in Charge.
_Crop Technology Investigations_, Nathan A. Cobb, Expert in Charge.
_Taxonomic Investigations_, Frederick V. Coville, Botanist in Charge.
_Farm Management Investigations_, William J. Spillman, Agriculturist
in Charge.
_Grain Investigations_, Mark A. Carleton, Cerealist in Charge.
_Arlington Experimental Farm_, Lee C. Corbett, Horticulturist in
Charge.
_Sugar-Beet Investigations_, Charles O. Townsend, Pathologist in
Charge.
_Western Agricultural Extension Investigations_, Carl S. Scofield,
Agriculturist in Charge.
_Dry Land Agriculture Investigations_, E. Channing Chilcott,
Agriculturist in Charge.
_Pomological Collections_, Gustavus B. Brackett, Pomologist in Charge.
_Field Investigations in Pomology_, William A. Taylor and G. Harold
Powell, Pomologists in Charge.
_Experimental Gardens and Grounds_, Edward M. Byrnes, Superintendent.
_Vegetable Testing Gardens_, William W. Tracy, sr., Superintendent.
_Seed and Plant Introduction_, David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer
in Charge.
_Forage Crop Investigations_, Charles V. Piper, Agrostologist in
Charge.
_Seed Laboratory_, Edgar Brown, Botanist in Charge.
_Grain Standardization_, John D. Shanahan, Expert in Charge.
_Subtropical Laboratory and Garden, Miami, Fla._, Ernst A. Bessey,
Pathologist in Charge.
_Plant Introduction Garden, Chico, Cal._, August Mayer, Expert in
Charge.
_South Texas Garden, Brownsville, Tex._, Edward C. Green, Pomologist
in Charge.
_Cotton Culture Farms_, Seaman A. Knapp, Lake Charles, La., Special
Agent in Charge.
_Editor_, J. E. Rockwell.
_Chief Clerk_, James E. Jones.
DRUG-PLANT INVESTIGATIONS.
SCIENTIFIC STAFF.
Rodney H. True, _Physiologist in Charge_.
W. W. Stockberger, Frank Rabak, _Experts_.
Alice Henkel, _Assistant_.
G. Fred Klugh, T. B. Young, S. C. Hood, _Scientific Assistants_.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF,
_Washington, D. C., April 16, 1907_.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith and to recommend for
publication as Bulletin No. 107 of the series of this Bureau the
accompanying manuscript, entitled “American Root Drugs.” This paper was
prepared by Miss Alice Henkel, Assistant in Drug-Plant Investigations,
and has been submitted by the Physiologist in charge with a view to its
publication.
The fifty drugs described include all the “official” roots found in this
country, besides such “nonofficial” drugs as are most frequently quoted
in drug catalogues.
There is a steady demand for information concerning the medicinal plants
of this country, and this bulletin on American root drugs has been
prepared as a first installment on the subject. It is intended as a
guide and reference book for farmers, drug collectors, druggists,
students, and others who may be interested in one way or another in the
collection or study of our medicinal flora.
Respectfully,
B. T. GALLOWAY,
_Chief of Bureau_.
Hon. JAMES WILSON,
_Secretary of Agriculture_.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction 9
The Collection of root drugs 10
Plants furnishing root drugs 11
Male-fern (_Dryopteris filix-mas_ and _D. marginalis_) 11
Couch-grass (_Agropyron repens_) 12
Wild turnip (_Arisaema triphyllum_) 13
Skunk-cabbage (_Spathyema foetida_) 15
Sweet-flag (_Acorus calamus_) 16
Chamaelirium, or Helonias (_Chamaelirium luteum_) 17
American hellebore (_Veratrum viride_) 18
Aletris (_Aletris farinosa_) 19
Bethroot (_Trillium erectum_) 20
Wild yam (_Dioscorea villosa_) 21
Blue flag (_Iris versicolor_) 22
Lady’s-slipper (_Cypripedium hirsutum_ and _C. parviflorum_) 23
Crawley-root (_Corallorhiza odontorhiza_) 24
Canada snakeroot (_Asarum canadense_) 25
Serpentaria (_Aristolochia serpentaria_ and _A. reticulata_) 26
Yellow dock (_Rumex crispus_) 27
Pokeweed (_Phytolacca decandra_) 29
Soapwort (_Saponaria officinalis_) 31
Goldenseal (_Hydrastis canadensis_) 31
Goldthread (_Coptis trifolia_) 34
Black cohosh (_Cimicifuga racemosa_) 35
Oregon grape (_Berberis aquifolium_) 36
Blue cohosh (_Caulophyllum thalictroides_) 37
Twinleaf (_Jeffersonia diphylla_) 38
May-apple (_Podophyllum peltatum_) 39
Canada moonseed (_Menispermum canadense_) 40
Bloodroot (_Sanguinaria canadensis_) 40
Hydrangea (_Hydrangea arborescens_) 41
Indian-physic (_Porteranthus trifoliatus_) 42
Wild indigo (_Baptisia tinctoria_) 43
Crane’s-bill (_Geranium maculatum_) 44
Seneca snakeroot (_Polygala senega_) 45
Stillingia (_Stillingia sylvatica_) 47
Wild sarsaparilla (_Aralia nudicaulis_) 48
Ginseng (_Panax quinquefolium_) 49
Water-eryngo (_Eryngium yuccifolium_) 50
American angelica (_Angelica atropurpurea_) 51
Yellow jasmine or jessamine (_Gelsemium sempervirens_) 51
Pinkroot (_Spigelia marilandica_) 52
American colombo (_Frasera carolinensis_) 53
Black Indian hemp (_Apocynum cannabinum_) 55
Pleurisy-root (_Asclepias tuberosa_) 56
Comfrey (_Symphytum officinale_) 57
Stoneroot (_Collinsonia canadensis_) 58
Culver’s-root (_Veronica virginica_) 59
Dandelion (_Taraxacum officinale_) 60
Queen-of-the-meadow (_Eupatorium purpureum_) 61
Elecampane (_Inula helenium_) 62
Echinacea (_Brauneria angustifolia_) 63
Burdock (_Arctium lappa_) 64
Explanation of plates 68
Index 69
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
Page.
PLATE I. Fig. 1.—Marginal-fruited shield-fern (_Dryopteris
marginalis_). Fig. 2.—Skunk-cabbage (_Spathyema
foetida_). Fig. 3.—Sweet-flag (_Acorus calamus_). Fig.
4.—Bethroot (_Trillium erectum_). 68
II. Fig. 1.—Chamaelirium (_Chamaelirium luteum_). Fig.
2.—Aletris (_Aletris farinosa_). Fig. 3.—Wild yam
(_Dioscorea villosa_). Fig. 4.—Blue flag (_Iris
versicolor_). 68
III. Fig. 1.—Large yellow lady’s-slipper (_Cypripedium
hirsutum_). Fig. 2.—Canada snakeroot (_Asarum
canadense_). Fig. 3.—Virginia serpentaria
(_Aristolochia serpentaria_). Fig. 4.—Soapwort
(_Saponaria officinalis_). 68
IV. Fig. 1.—Oregon grape (_Berberis aquifolium_). Fig.
2.—Blue cohosh (_Caulophyllum thalictroides_). Fig.
3.—Canada moonseed (_Menispermum canadense_). Fig.
4.—Hydrangea (_Hydrangea arborescens_). 68
V. Fig. 1.—Indian-physic (_Porteranthus trifoliatus_). Fig.
2.—Wild sarsaparilla (_Aralia nudicaulis_). Fig.
3.—Ginseng (_Panax quinquefolium_). Fig.
4.—Water-eryngo (_Eryngium yuccifolium_). 68
VI. Fig. 1.—American angelica (_Angelica atropurpurea_).
Fig. 2.—Pinkroot (_Spigelia marilandica_). Fig.
3.—Pleurisy-root (_Asclepias tuberosa_). Fig.
4.—Comfrey (_Symphytum officinale_). 68
VII. Fig. 1.—Stoneroot (_Collinsonia canadensis_). Fig.
2.—Queen-of-the-meadow (_Eupatorium purpureum_). Fig.
3.—Elecampane (_Inula helenium_). Fig. 4.—Echinacea
(_Brauneria angustifolia_). 68
TEXT FIGURES.
FIG. 1. Couch-grass (_Agropyron repens_) 13
2. Wild turnip (_Arisaema triphyllum_) 14
3. American hellebore (_Veratrum viride_) 19
4. Crawley-root (_Corallorhiza odontorhiza_) 25
5. Yellow dock (_Rumex crispus_), first year’s growth 27
6. Broad-leaved dock (_Rumex obtusifolius_), leaf, fruiting
spike, and root 28
7. Pokeweed (_Phytolacca decandra_), flowering and fruiting
branch 30
8. Pokeweed root 30
9. Goldenseal (_Hydrastis canadensis_), flowering plant and
fruit 32
10. Goldenseal rootstock 33
11. Goldthread (_Coptis trifolia_) 34
12. Black cohosh (_Cimicifuga racemosa_), leaves, flowering
spikes, and rootstock 35
13. Twinleaf (_Jeffersonia diphylla_), plant and seed
capsule 38
14. May-apple (_Podophyllum peltatum_), upper portion of
plant with flower, and rootstock 39
15. Bloodroot (_Sanguinaria canadensis_), flowering plant
with rootstock 41
16. Wild indigo (_Baptisia tinctoria_), branch showing
flowers and seed pods 43
17. Crane’s-bill (_Geranium maculatum_), flowering plant,
showing also seed pods and rootstock 45
18. Seneca snakeroot (_Polygala senega_), flowering plant
with root 46
19. Stillingia (_Stillingia sylvatica_), upper portion of
plant and part of spike showing male flowers 47
20. Yellow jasmine (_Gelsemium sempervirens_) 52
21. American colombo (_Frasera carolinensis_), leaves,
flowers, and seed pods 54
22. Black Indian hemp (_Apocynum cannabinum_), flowering
portion, pods, and rootstock 55
23. Culver’s-root (_Veronica virginica_), flowering top and
rootstock 59
24. Dandelion (_Taraxacum officinale_) 61
25. Burdock (_Arctium lappa_), flowering branch and root 64
B. P. I.—283.
AMERICAN ROOT DRUGS.
INTRODUCTION.
More than half of the root drugs recognized in the Eighth Decennial
Revision of the United States Pharmacopœia occur in this country, some
native and not growing elsewhere and others introduced. All of the
official root drugs found in the United States have been included in
this bulletin, as well as such native and introduced “nonofficial” roots
(those not at present recognized in the United States Pharmacopœia) as
seemed to be most generally quoted in the trade lists of the country,
the total number of root drugs described being 50. While the most
important root drugs thus given are limited to 50, there are included
under each of these, wherever required, brief descriptions of related
species. It would be impossible to include within the limits of this
paper all of the root drugs that are used in this country, but the aim
has been to give information concerning those which seem to be the most
important commercially, according to the numerous drug lists that have
been consulted.
All of the root drugs herein mentioned occur in quantities sufficient
for commercial purposes, but the roots of many of the species that also
occur in other countries are nevertheless largely imported.
In speaking of “root drugs” in this paper only those are included of
which the underground portion is found in commerce, whether in the form
of root, rootstock, bulb, or corm, excluding the roots that are used
solely for their bark or for their gums or resins.
Except in the botanical descriptions, the term “roots” is generally
used, regardless of the fact that the part under consideration may be a
rootstock, root, or bulb. In this the commercial practice is followed,
which makes no distinction as to the form of the underground portion as
classified by botanists, but catalogues them all under the general term
“roots.”
The medicinal uses are referred to in only the briefest and most general
manner, for it is clearly not within the province of a publication of
this character to go into details regarding these matters. The
statements made are based on the information contained in various
dispensatories and other works relating to materia medica.
The illustrations are for the most part made from a collection of
photographs taken from nature by C. L. Lochman. A few have been taken
from various publications, mention of which is made under the
illustrations in question.
THE COLLECTION OF ROOT DRUGS.
Generally speaking, the roots of annual plants should be dug just before
flowering, and those of biennial or perennial plants late in autumn or
early in spring, the object being to collect them at a period when there
is a cessation of growth; for besides shrinking more and weighing less
if collected during the growing season, they are also deficient in
medicinal properties. Very frequently a drug is of inferior quality
simply because the collector has neglected to gather it in the proper
season.
It is unfortunate that so much confusion exists with regard to the
common names of American plants. The common name of a plant in one
locality may be the same as that of an entirely different plant in
another locality, and on account of this confusion the collector is not
always sure of the identity of the plant he is collecting, nor the drug
dealer as to what he will receive, unless a sample is submitted to him.
If more care were exercised in this respect it would mean a saving of
time and money to both collector and dealer.
Another important matter that the collector sometimes overlooks is the
proper cleaning and drying of the roots. To insure a good market for his
crude drugs the collector should be certain not only that he has the
right plant, but that it is collected at the proper season of the year,
and that he has a clean and thoroughly dried article.
After the roots have been dug they should be freed from dirt and all
foreign particles, such as stones and bits of other plants. If the
adherent soil can not be removed by shaking the roots, they may, in most
instances, be washed in clean water, after which they should be
carefully dried. In some cases the roots are sliced or split when green
in order to facilitate drying, and wherever this is necessary it will be
indicated under the descriptions of the different plants.
For the purpose of drying, the roots should be spread out in thin layers
on racks or shelves, or on clean, well-ventilated barn floors or lofts,
exposed to light and air but not direct sunlight, and turned
occasionally each day until thoroughly dry. If the roots are dried out
of doors, they should be placed under shelter at night or upon the
approach of damp or rainy weather. Thoroughly dried roots snap readily
when bent, and it requires from three to six weeks to cure roots,
depending upon the weather conditions and the character of the roots.
Burlap or gunny sacks, or dry, clean barrels may be used for packing the
roots for shipment.
The collector should always communicate with the dealers concerning the
drugs to be disposed of, sending them a representative sample, plainly
marked as to contents, with the name and address of the sender, and
stating how large a quantity can be furnished.
The prices per pound mentioned in this bulletin will serve to give the
collector an idea as to what he may expect to receive from dealers, but,
as with other commodities, depending for their prices upon supply and
demand, fluctuations are likely to occur from year to year. An increased
demand or a shortage will send prices upward and stimulate collection,
which in turn may result in glutting the market, and a decline in prices
naturally follows. It is possible, therefore, to give only an
approximate range of prices.
PLANTS FURNISHING ROOT DRUGS.
Under each plant will be found synonyms and pharmacopœial name, if any,
the common names, habitat, range, descriptions of the plant and root,
and information concerning collection, prices, and uses, while in the
case of goldenseal and ginseng the methods of culture are included.
MALE-FERN.
(1) _Dryopteris filix-mas_ (L.) Schott and (2) _Dryopteris marginalis_
(L.) A. Gray.
_Synonyms._—(1) _Aspidium filix-mas_ Sw. (2) _Aspidium marginale_ Sw.
_Pharmacopœial name._—Aspidium.
_Other common names._—(1) Male shield-fern, sweet brake, knotty brake,
basket-fern, bear’s-paw root; (2) marginal-fruited shield-fern,
evergreen wood-fern.
_Habitat and range._—These ferns are found in rocky woods, the male
shield-fern inhabiting the region from Canada westward to the Rocky
Mountains and Arizona. It is widely distributed also through Europe,
northern Asia, northern Africa, and South America. The marginal-fruited
shield-fern (Pl. I, fig. 1), one of our most common ferns, occurs from
Canada southward to Alabama and Arkansas.
_Description of plants._—Both of these species are tall, handsome ferns,
the long, erect fronds, or leaves, arising from a chaffy, scaly base,
and consisting of numerous crowded stemless leaflets, which are
variously divided and notched. There is but little difference between
these two species. The male shield-fern is perhaps a trifle stouter, the
leaves growing about 3 feet in length and having a bright-green color,
whereas the marginal-fruited shield-fern has lighter green leaves, about
2½ feet in length, and is of more slender appearance. The principal
difference, however, is found in the arrangement of the “sori,” or
“fruit dots.” These are the very small, round, tawny dots that are found
on the backs of fern leaves, and in the male shield-fern these will be
found arranged in short rows near the midrib, while in the
marginal-fruited shield-fern, as this name indicates, the fruit dots are
placed on the margins of the fronds. Both plants are perennials and
members of the fern family (Polypodiaceæ).
_Description of the rootstock._—These ferns have stout ascending or
erect chaffy rootstocks, or rhizomes (Pl. I, fig. 1) as they are
technically known. As taken from the ground the rootstock is from 6 to
12 inches in length and 1 to 2 inches thick, covered with closely
overlapping, brown, slightly curved stipe bases or leaf bases and soft,
brown, chaffy scales. The inside of the rootstock is pale green. As
found in the stores, however, male-fern with the stipe bases and roots
removed measures about 3 to 6 inches in length and about one-half to 1
inch in thickness, rough where the stipe bases have been removed, brown
outside, pale green and rather spongy inside.
The stipe bases remain green for a very long period, and these small,
claw-shaped, furrowed portions, or “fingers” as they are called, form a
large proportion of the drug found on the American market and, in fact,
are said to have largely superseded the rootstock. Male-fern has a
disagreeable odor, and the taste is described as bitter-sweet,
astringent, acrid, and nauseous.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—The best time for collecting male-fern
root is from July to September. The root should be carefully cleaned,
but not washed, dried out of doors in the shade as quickly as possible,
and shipped to druggists at once. The United States Pharmacopœia directs
that “the chaff, together with the dead portions of the rhizome and
stipes, should be removed, and only such portions used as have retained
their internal green color.”
Great care is necessary in the preservation of this drug in order to
prevent it from deteriorating. If kept too long, its activity will be
impaired, and it is said that it will retain its qualities much longer
if it is not peeled until required for use. The unreliability sometimes
attributed to this drug can in most instances be traced to the presence
of the rootstocks of other ferns with which it is often adulterated, or
it will be found to be due to improper storing or to the length of time
that it has been kept.
The prices paid for male-fern root range from 5 to 10 cents a pound.
Male-fern, official in the United States Pharmacopœia, has been used
since the remotest times as a remedy for worms. Grave results are
sometimes caused by overdoses.
COUCH-GRASS.
_Agropyron repens_ (L.) Beauv.
_Synonym._—_Triticum repens_ L.
_Pharmacopœial name._—Triticum.
_Other common names._—Dog-grass, quick-grass, quack-grass, quitch-grass,
quake-grass, scutch-grass, twitch-grass, witch-grass, wheat-grass,
creeping wheat-grass, devil’s-grass, durfa-grass, Durfee-grass,
Dutch-grass, Fin’s-grass, Chandler’s-grass.
_Habitat and range._—Like many of our weeds, couch-grass was introduced
from Europe, and is now one of the worst pests the farmer has to contend
with, taking possession of cultivated ground and crowding out valuable
crops. It occurs most abundantly from Maine to Maryland, westward to
Minnesota and Missouri, and is spreading on farms on the Pacific slope,
but is rather sparingly distributed in the South.
_Description of plant._—Couch-grass is rather coarse, 1 to 3 feet high,
and when in flower very much resembles rye or beardless wheat (fig. 1).
Several round, smooth, hollow stems, thickened at the joints, are
produced from the long, creeping, jointed rootstock. The stems bear 5 to
7 leaves from 3 to 12 inches long, rough on the upper surface and smooth
beneath, while the long, cleft leaf sheaths are smooth. The solitary
terminal flowering heads or spikes are compressed, and consist of two
rows of spikelets on a wavy and flattened axis. These heads are produced
from July to September. Couch-grass belongs to the grass family
(Poaceæ).
[Illustration: FIG. 1.—Couch-grass (_Agropyron repens_).]
_Description of rootstock._—The pale-yellow, smooth rootstock is long,
tough, and jointed, creeping along underneath the ground and pushing in
every direction. As found in the stores, it consists of short, angular
pieces, from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch long, of a shining
straw color, and hollow. These pieces are odorless, but have a somewhat
sweetish taste.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—Couch-grass, which is official in the
United States Pharmacopœia, should be collected in spring, carefully
cleaned, and the rootlets removed. The rootstock (not the rootlets) is
then cut into short pieces, about two-fifths of an inch in length, for
which purpose an ordinary feed-cutting machine may be used, and
thoroughly dried.
Couch-grass is usually destroyed by plowing up and burning, for if any
of the joints are permitted to remain in the soil new plants will be
produced. But, instead of burning, the rootstocks may be saved and
prepared for the drug market in the manner above stated. The prices
range from 3 to 5 cents a pound. At present couch-grass is collected
chiefly in Europe.
A fluid extract is prepared from couch-grass, which is used in
affections of the kidney and bladder.
WILD TURNIP.
_Arisaema triphyllum_ (L.) Torr.
_Synonym._—_Arum triphyllum_ L.
_Other common names._—Arum, three-leaved arum, Indian turnip,
jack-in-the-pulpit, wake-robin, wild pepper, dragon-turnip, brown
dragon, devil’s-ear, marsh-turnip, swamp-turnip, meadow-turnip,
pepper-turnip, starchwort, bog-onion, priest’s-pintle, lords-and-ladies.
_Habitat and range._—Wild turnip inhabits moist woods from Canada to
Florida and westward to Kansas and Minnesota.
_Description of plant._—Early in April the quaint green and brownish
purple hooded flowers of the wild turnip may be seen in the shady depths
of the woods.
It is a perennial plant belonging to the arum family (Araceæ), and
reaches a height of from 10 inches to 3 feet. The leaves, of which there
are only one or two, unfold with the flowers; they are borne on long,
erect, sheathing stalks, and consist of three smooth, oval leaflets; the
latter are 3 to 6 inches long, and from 1½ to 3½ inches wide, net
veined, and with one vein running parallel with the margins. The
“flower” is curiously formed, somewhat like the calla lily, consisting
of what is known botanically as a spathe, within which is inclosed the
spadix. The spathe is an oval, leaflike part, the lower portion of
which, in the flower under consideration, is rolled together so as to
form a tube, while the upper, pointed part is usually bent forward, thus
forming a flap or hood over the tube-shaped part which contains the
spadix. (Fig. 2.) In fact it is very similar to the familiar flower of
the calla lily of the gardens, except that, instead of being white, the
wild turnip is either all green or striped with very dark purple,
sometimes seeming almost black, and in the calla lily the “flap” is
turned back, whereas in the wild turnip it is bent forward over the
tube. Inside of the spathe is the spadix, also green or purple, which is
club shaped, rounded at the summit, and narrowly contracted at the base,
where it is surrounded by either the male or female flowers or both, in
the latter case (the most infrequent) the male flowers being placed
below the female flowers. In autumn the fruit ripens in the form of a
bunch of bright scarlet, shining berries. The entire plant is acrid, but
the root more especially so.
[Illustration: FIG. 2.—Wild turnip (_Arisaema triphyllum_).]
_Description of “root.”_—The underground portion of this plant is known
botanically as a “corm,” and is somewhat globular and shaped like a
turnip. The lower part of the corm is flat and wrinkled, while the upper
part is surrounded by coarse, wavy rootlets. The outside is brownish
gray and the inside white and mealy. It has no odor, but an intensely
acrid, burning taste, and to those who may have been induced in their
school days to taste of this root wild turnip will be familiar chiefly
on account of its never-to-be-forgotten acrid, indeed caustic,
properties. The dried article of commerce consists of round, white
slices, with brown edges, only slightly shrunken, and breaking with a
starchy fracture.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—The partially dried corm is used in
medicine. It is dug in summer, transversely sliced, and dried. When
first dug it is intensely acrid, but drying and heat diminish the
acridity. It loses its acridity rapidly with age. Wild turnip brings
from 7 to 10 cents a pound.
The corm of wild turnip, which was official in the United States
Pharmacopœia from 1820 to 1870, is used as a stimulant, diaphoretic,
expectorant, and irritant.
SKUNK-CABBAGE.
_Spathyema foetida_ (L.) Raf.
_Synonyms._—_Dracontium foetidum_ L.; _Symplocarpus foetidus_ Nutt.
_Other common names._—Dracontium, skunkweed, polecat-weed,
swamp-cabbage, meadow-cabbage, collard, fetid hellebore, stinking poke,
pockweed.
_Habitat and range._—Swamps and other wet places from Canada to Florida,
Iowa, and Minnesota abound with this ill-smelling herb.
_Description of plant._—Most of the common names applied to this plant,
as well as the scientific names, are indicative of the most striking
characteristic of this early spring visitor, namely, the rank,
offensive, carrion odor that emanates from it. Skunk-cabbage is one of
the very earliest of our spring flowers, appearing in February or March,
but it is safe to say that it is not likely to suffer extermination at
the hands of the enthusiastic gatherer of spring flowers. In the
latitude of Washington skunk-cabbage has been known to be in flower in
December.
It is a curious plant, with its hood-shaped, purplish striped flowers
appearing before the leaves. It belongs to the arum family (Araceæ) and
is a perennial. The “flower” is in the form of a thick, ovate, swollen
spathe, about 3 to 6 inches in height, the top pointed and curved
inward, spotted and striped with purple and yellowish green. The spathe
is not open like that of the wild turnip or calla lily, to which family
this plant also belongs, but the edges are rolled inward, completely
hiding the spadix. In this plant the spadix is not spikelike, as in the
wild turnip, but is generally somewhat globular, entirely covered with
the numerous, dull-purple flowers. (Pl. I, fig. 2.) After the fruit has
ripened the spadix will be found to have grown considerably, the spathe
meantime having decayed.
The leaves, which appear after the flower, are numerous and very large,
about 1 to 3 feet in length and about 1 foot in width; they are thin in
texture, but prominently nerved with fleshy nerves, and are borne on
deeply channeled stems.
_Description of rootstock._—Skunk-cabbage has a thick, straight, reddish
brown rootstock, from 3 to 5 inches long, and about 2 inches in
diameter, and having a whorl of crowded fleshy roots (Pl. I, fig. 2)
which penetrate the soil to considerable depth. The dried article of
commerce consists of either the entire rootstock and roots, which are
dark brown and wrinkled on the outside, whitish and starchy within, or
of very much compressed, wrinkled, transverse slices. When bruised, the
root has the characteristic fetid odor of the plant and possesses a
sharp acrid taste, both of which become less the longer the root is
kept.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—The rootstock of skunk-cabbage should be
collected early in spring, soon after the appearance of the flower, or
after the seeds have ripened, in August or September. It should be
carefully dried, either in its entire state or deprived of the roots and
cut into transverse slices. Skunk-cabbage loses its odor and acridity
with age, and should therefore not be kept longer than one season. The
range of prices is from 4 to 7 cents a pound.
Skunk-cabbage, official from 1820 to 1880, is used in affections of the
respiratory organs, in nervous disorders, rheumatism, and dropsical
complaints.
SWEET-FLAG.
_Acorus calamus_ L.
_Pharmacopœial name._—Calamus.
_Other common names._—Sweet cane, sweet grass, sweet myrtle, sweet rush,
sweet sedge, sweet segg, sweetroot, cinnamon-sedge, myrtle-flag,
myrtle-grass, myrtle-sedge, beewort.
_Habitat and range._—This plant frequents wet and muddy places and
borders of streams from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, southward to Florida
and Texas, also occurring in Europe and Asia. It is usually partly
immersed in water, and is generally found in company with the cat-tail
and other water-loving species of flag.
_Description of plant._—The swordlike leaves of the sweet-flag resemble
those of other flags so much that before the plant is in flower it is
difficult to recognize simply by the appearance of its leaves. The
leaves of the blue flag or “poison-flag,” as it has been called, are
very similar to those of the sweet-flag, and this resemblance often
leads to cases of poisoning among children who thus mistake one for the
other. However, as the leaves of the sweet-flag are fragrant, the odor
will be a means of recognizing it. Of course when the sweet-flag is in
flower the identification of the plant is easy.
The sheathing leaves of this native perennial, which belongs to the arum
family (Araceæ), are from 2 to 6 feet in height and about 1 inch in
width; they are sharp pointed and have a ridged midrib running their
entire length. The flowering head, produced from the side of the stalk,
consists of a fleshy spike sometimes 3½ inches long and about one-half
inch in thickness, closely covered with very small greenish yellow
flowers, which appear from May to July. (Pl. 1, fig. 3.)
_Description of rootstock._—The long, creeping rootstock of the
sweet-flag is thick and fleshy, somewhat spongy, and producing numerous
rootlets. (Pl. I, fig. 3.) The odor is very aromatic and agreeable, and
the taste pungent and bitter. The dried article, as found in the stores,
consists of entire or split pieces of various lengths, from 3 to 6
inches, light brown on the outside with blackish spots, sharply wrinkled
lengthwise, the upper surface marked obliquely with dark leaf scars, and
the lower surface showing many small circular scars, which, at first
glance, give one the impression that the root is worm-eaten, but which
are the remains of rootlets that have been removed from the rootstock.
Internally the rootstock is whitish and of a spongy texture. The
aromatic odor and pungent, bitter taste are retained in the dried
article.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—The United States Pharmacopœia directs
that the unpeeled rhizome, or rootstock, be used. It is collected either
in early spring or late in autumn. It is pulled or grubbed from the soft
earth, freed from adhering dirt, and the rootlets removed, as these are
not so aromatic and more bitter. The rootstock is then carefully dried,
sometimes by means of moderate heat. Sweet-flag deteriorates with age
and is subject to the attacks of worms. It loses about three-fourths of
its weight in drying.
Some of the sweet-flag root found in commerce consists of handsome white
pieces. These usually come from Germany, and have been peeled before
drying, but they are not so strong and aromatic as the unpeeled roots.
Unpeeled sweet-flag root brings from 3 to 6 cents a pound.
Sweet-flag is employed as an aromatic stimulant and tonic in feeble
digestion. The dried root is frequently chewed for the relief of
dyspepsia.
CHAMAELIRIUM, OR HELONIAS.
_Chamaelirium luteum_ (L.) A. Gray.
_Synonym._—_Helonias dioica_ Pursh.
_Other common names._—Unicorn-root, false unicorn-root, blazingstar,
drooping starwort, starwort, devil’s-bit, unicorn’s-horn.
In order to avoid the existing confusion of common names of this plant,
it is most desirable to use the scientific names Chamaelirium or
Helonias exclusively. Chamaelirium is the most recent botanical
designation and will be used throughout this article, but the synonym
Helonias is a name very frequently employed by the drug trade. The plant
with which it is so much confused, _Aletris farinosa_, will also be
designated throughout by its generic name, Aletris.
_Habitat and range._—This native plant is found in open woods from
Massachusetts to Michigan, south to Florida and Arkansas.
_Description of plant._—Chamaelirium and Aletris (_Aletris farinosa_)
have long been confused by drug collectors and others, owing undoubtedly
to the transposition of some of their similar common names, such as
“starwort” and “stargrass.” The plants can scarcely be said to resemble
each other, however, except perhaps in their general habit of growth.
(See Pl. II, figs. 1 and 2.)
The male and female flowers of Chamaelirium are borne on separate
plants, and in this respect are entirely different from Aletris; neither
do the flowers resemble those of Aletris.
Chamaelirium is an erect, somewhat fleshy herb, perennial, and belongs
to the bunchflower family (Melanthiaceæ). The male plant grows to a
height of from 1½ to 2½ feet, and the female plant is sometimes 4 feet
tall and is also more leafy.
The plants have both basal and stem leaves, whereas Aletris has only the
basal leaves. The basal leaves of Chamaelirium are broad and blunt at
the top, narrowing toward the base into a long stem; they are sometimes
so much broadened at the top that they may be characterized as spoon
shaped, and are from 2 to 8 inches long and from one-half to 1½ inches
wide. The stem leaves are lance shaped and sharp pointed, on short stems
or stemless. (Pl. II, fig. 1.)
The white starry flowers of Chamaelirium are produced from June to July,
those of the male plant being borne in nodding, graceful, plumelike
spikes 3 to 9 inches long (Pl. II, fig. 1) and those of the female plant
in erect spikes. The many-seeded capsule is oblong, opening by three
valves at the apex.
Another species is now recognized, _Chamaelirium obovale_ Small, which
seems to differ chiefly in having larger flowers and obovoid capsules.
_Description of rootstock._—The rootstock of Chamaelirium does not in
the least resemble that of Aletris, with which it is so generally
confused. It is from one-half to 2 inches in length, generally curved
upward at one end in the form of a horn (whence the common name,
“unicorn”) and having the appearance of having been bitten off. (Pl. II,
fig. 1.) It is of a dark-brown color, with fine transverse wrinkles,
rough, on the upper surface showing a few stem scars, and giving off
from all sides numerous brown fibrous rootlets. The more recent rootlets
have a soft outer covering, which in the older rootlets has worn away,
leaving the fine but tough and woody whitish center. The rootlets
penetrate to the central part of the rootstock, and this serves as a
distinguishing character from Aletris, as a transverse section of
Chamaelirium very plainly shows these fibers extending some distance
within the rootstock. Furthermore, the rootstock of Chamaelirium
exhibits a number of small holes wherever these rootlets have broken
off, giving it the appearance of having become “wormy.” It is hard and
horny within and has a peculiar odor and a very bitter, disagreeable
taste, whereas Aletris is not at all bitter.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—Chamaelirium should be collected in
autumn. The prices paid to collectors may be said to range from about 30
to 45 cents a pound. In the fall of 1906 a scarcity of this root was
reported. As already indicated, Chamaelirium and Aletris are often
gathered and mistaken for each other by collectors, but, as will be seen
from the preceding description, there is really no excuse for such
error.
From the confusion that has existed properties peculiar to the one plant
have also been attributed to the other, but it seems now generally
agreed that Chamaelirium is of use especially as a tonic in derangements
of women.
AMERICAN HELLEBORE.
_Veratrum viride_ Ait.
_Pharmacopœial name._—Veratrum.
_Other common names._—True veratrum, green veratrum, American veratrum,
green hellebore, swamp-hellebore, big hellebore, false hellebore,
bear-corn, bugbane, bugwort, devil’s-bite, earth-gall, Indian poke,
itchweed, tickleweed, duckretter.
_Habitat and range._—American hellebore is native in rich wet woods,
swamps, and wet meadows, its range extending from Canada, Alaska, and
Minnesota south to Georgia.
_Description of plant._—Early in spring, usually in company with the
skunk-cabbage, the large, bright-green leaves of American hellebore make
their way through the soil, their straight, erect leaf spears forming a
conspicuous feature of the yet scanty spring vegetation. Later in the
season a stout and erect leafy stem is sent up, sometimes growing as
tall as 6 feet. It is solid and round, pale green, very leafy, and
closely surrounded by the sheathing bases of the leaves, unbranched
except in the flowering head. The leaves are hairy, prominently nerved,
folded or pleated like a fan. They have no stems, but their bases
encircle or sheathe the main stalk, and are very large, especially the
lower ones, which are from 6 to 12 inches in length, from 3 to 6 inches
in width, and broadly oval. As they approach the top of the plant the
leaves become narrower. The flowers, which appear from May to July, are
greenish yellow and numerous, and are borne in rather open clusters.
American hellebore belongs to the bunchflower family (Melanthiaceæ) and
is a perennial.
This species is a very near relative of the European white hellebore
(_Veratrum album_ L.), and in fact has by some been regarded as
identical with it, or at least as a variety of it. It is taller than _V.
album_ and has narrower leaves and greener flowers. Both species are
official in the United States Pharmacopœia.
_Description of rootstock._—The fresh rootstock of American hellebore is
ovoid or obconical, upright, thick, and fleshy, the upper part of it
arranged in layers, the lower part of it more solid, and producing
numerous whitish roots from all sides. In the fresh state it has a
rather strong, disagreeable odor. As found in commerce, American
hellebore rootstock is sometimes entire, but more generally sliced, and
is of a light-brown or dark-brown color externally and internally
yellowish white; the roots, which are from 4 to 8 inches long, have a
shriveled appearance, and are brown or yellowish. There is no odor to
the dried rootstock, but when powdered it causes violent sneezing. The
rootstock, which has a bitter and very acrid taste, is poisonous.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—American hellebore should be dug in
autumn after the leaves have died, and washed and carefully dried,
either in the whole state or sliced in various ways. It deteriorates
with age, and should therefore not be kept longer than a year.
The adulterations sometimes met with are the rootstocks of related
plants, and the skunk-cabbage is also occasionally found mixed with it,
but this is probably unintentional, as the two plants usually grow close
together.
Collectors of American hellebore root receive from about 3 to 10 cents a
pound.
American hellebore, official in the United States Pharmacopœia, is an
acrid, narcotic poison, and has emetic, diaphoretic, and sedative
properties.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.—American hellebore (_Veratrum viride_).]
ALETRIS.
_Aletris farinosa_ L.
_Other common names._—Stargrass, blazingstar, mealy starwort, starwort,
unicorn-root, true unicorn-root, unicorn-plant, unicorn’s-horn,
colicroot, devil’s-bit, ague-grass, agueroot, aloe-root, crow-corn,
huskwort.
A glance at these common names will show many that have been applied to
other plants, especially to Chamaelirium, with which Aletris is so much
confused. In order to guard against this confusion as much as possible,
it is best not to use the common names of this plant at all, referring
to it only by its generic name, Aletris.
_Habitat and range._—Aletris occurs in dry, generally sandy soil, from
Maine to Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee.
_Description of plant._—As stated under Chamaelirium, this plant is
often confused with the former by collectors and others, although there
seems to be no good reason why this should be so. The plants do not
resemble each other except in habit of growth (see Pl. II, figs. 1 and
2), and the trouble undoubtedly arose from a confusion of the somewhat
similar common names of the plants, as, for instance, “stargrass” and
“starwort.”
Aletris may be at once distinguished by the grasslike leaves, which
spread out on the ground in the form of a star, and by the slender
spikes of rough, mealy flowers.
This native perennial, belonging to the lily family (Liliaceæ), is an
erect, slender herb, 1½ to 3 feet tall, with basal leaves only. These
leaves are grasslike, from 2 to 6 inches long, and have a yellowish
green or willowgreen color. As already stated, they surround the base of
the stem in the form of a star. Instead of stem leaves, there are very
small, leaflike bracts placed at some distance apart on the stem. From
May to July the erect flowering spike, from 4 to 12 inches long, is
produced, bearing white, urn-shaped flowers, sometimes tinged with
yellow at the apex, and having a rough, wrinkled and mealy appearance.
(Pl. II, fig. 2.) The seed capsule is ovoid, opening by three valves,
and containing many seeds. When the flowers in the spike are still in
bud, there is a suggestion of resemblance to the female spike of
Chamaelirium with its fruit half formed.
Several other species are recognized by botanists, namely, _Aletris
aurea_ Walt., _A. lutea_ Small, and _A. obovata_ Nash, but aside from
the flowers, which in _aurea_ and _lutea_ are yellow, and slight
variations in form, such as a more contracted perianth, the differences
are not so pronounced that the plants would require a detailed
description here. They have undoubtedly been collected with _Aletris
farinosa_ for years, and are sufficiently like it to be readily
recognized.
_Description of rootstock._—Not only have the plants of Aletris and
Chamaelirium been confused, but the rootstocks as well. There is,
however, no resemblance between them.
Aletris has a horizontal rootstock from one-half to 1½ inches in length,
rough and scaly, and almost completely hidden by the fibrous roots and
remains of the basal leaves. Upon close examination the scars of former
leaf stems may be seen along the upper surface. The rootlets are from 2
to 10 inches in length, those of recent growth whitish and covered with
several layers of epidermis which gradually peel off, and the older
rootlets of the rootstock showing this epidermis already scaled off,
leaving only the hard, brown, woody center. The rootstock in commerce
almost invariably shows at one end a tuft of the remains of the basal
leaves, which do not lose their green color. It is grayish brown
outside, whitish within, and breaks with a mealy fracture. It has no
odor, and a starchy taste, followed by some acridity, _but no
bitterness_.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—Aletris should be collected in autumn,
and there is no reason why collectors should make the common mistake of
confusing Aletris with Chamaelirium. By comparing the description of
Aletris with that of Chamaelirium, it will be seen that there is
scarcely any resemblance. Aletris ranges from 30 to 40 cents a pound.
As indicated under Chamaelirium, the medicinal properties have also been
considered the same in both plants, but Aletris is now regarded of value
chiefly in digestive troubles. Aletris was official in the United States
Pharmacopœia from 1820 to 1870.
BETHROOT.
_Trillium erectum_ L.
_Other common names._—Trillium, red trillium, purple trillium,
ill-scented trillium, birthroot, birthwort, bathwort, bathflower, red
wake-robin, purple wake-robin, ill-scented wake-robin, red-benjamin,
bumblebee-root, daffydown-dilly, dishcloth, Indian balm, Indian
shamrock, nosebleed, squawflower, squawroot, wood-lily, true-love,
orange-blossom. Many of these names are applied also to other species of
Trillium.
_Habitat and range._—Bethroot is a native plant growing in rich soil in
damp, shady woods from Canada south to Tennessee and Missouri.
_Description of plant._—This plant is a perennial belonging to the
lily-of-the-valley family (Convallariaceæ). It is a low growing plant,
from about 8 to 16 inches in height, with a rather stout stem, having
three leaves arranged in a whorl near the top. These leaves are broadly
ovate, almost circular in outline, sharp pointed at the apex and
narrowed at the base, 3 to 7 inches long and about as wide, and
practically stemless.
Not only the leaves of this plant, but the flowers and parts of the
flowers are arranged in threes, and this feature will serve to identify
the plant. (Pl. I, fig. 4.) The solitary terminal flower of bethroot has
three sepals and three petals, both more or less lance shaped and
spreading, the former greenish, and the petals, which are 1¼ inches long
and one-half inch wide, are sometimes dark purple, pink, greenish, or
white. The flower has an unpleasant odor. It appears from April to June
and is followed later in the season by an oval, reddish berry.
Various other species of Trillium are used in medicine, possessing
properties similar to those of the species under consideration. These
are also very similar in appearance to _Trillium erectum_.
_Description of root._—Bethroot (Pl. I, fig. 4), as found in the stores,
is short and thick, of a light-brown color externally, whitish or
yellowish inside, somewhat globular or oblong in shape, and covered all
around with numerous palebrown, shriveled rootlets. The top of the root
generally shows a succession of fine circles or rings, and usually bears
the remains of stem bases.
The root has a slight odor, and is at first sweetish and astringent,
followed by a bitter and acrid taste. When chewed it causes a flow of
saliva.
_Collection, prices, and uses._—Bethroot is generally collected toward
the close of summer. The price ranges from 7 to 10 cents a pound.
It was much esteemed as a remedy among the Indians and early settlers.
Its present use is that of an astringent, tonic, and alterative, and
also that of an expectorant.
WILD YAM.
_Dioscorea villosa_ L.
_Other common names._—Dioscorea, colicroot, rheumatism-root,
devil’s-bones.