Pipi root.
Pipi Root.—The root of the Petiveria alliacea L. (Fam. Phytolaccaceae), which more than sixty years ago attracted notice in Europe, is said to have re-entered commerce. It is described as consisting of irregularly bent pieces, 3 to 6 mm. thick, externally grayish-brown, upon transverse section showing a brownish bark with white dots, and a lighter colored radiating ligneous wood. The cork layer consists of 3 or 4 rows of cells, the thick primary bark encloses crystals of calcium oxalate; the woody cord contains tracheids with narrow dotted tracheae, two-rowed medullary rays and in the center a thin pith. The genus Petiveria grows in tropical America, extending into Mexico and Texas. The shrubby plants are mostly acrid and have an alliaceous odor. It is reported to be a stimulant, expectorant and diaphoretic. (A. J. P., Aug., 1887.)
