Distribution, habitats
They can be found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Morphology
The Gelidium genus comprises about 124 species ranging in size from 2 to 40 cm. The branches present an irregular pattern or are arranged in rows on either side of the main stem. The branching thalli of the Gracilaria species vary from cylindrical to somewhat flattened, reaching up to 60 cm in length.Representatives of these algae often grow in large clumps in shallow waters.
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas Drug
Agar – Agar(Ph. Eur. 5.0) Phytochemistry
heteropolysaccharides (composed of D-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose units).
Agar is a mixture of agarose (a linear polysaccharide) and agaropectin (a heterogeneous mixture of smaller molecules).
I.105
Active compound of Agar – Agar Uses
laxative; a general medium in microbiology, gelling agent in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industry
O H
cholesterol
Characters of Plants
123
Gentiana lutea L. – Great yellow gentian Gentianaceae – Gentian family
I.106
Gentiana lutea L. – Great yellow gentian Distribution, habitats
This herbaceous perennial plant is native to Europe and Western Asia growing in alpine and sub-alpine pastures, usually on calcareous soils. In Hungary, members of this genus are protected.
Morphology
The root can reach 1 m in total length and 3-6 cm in width. The brown root bears longitudinal wrinkles, has a characteristic smell and very bitter taste. The shoot is 1 to 2 m tall. The decussate, broad lanceolate to elliptic leaves are 10 to 30 cm long and 4 to 12 cm wide. The corolla is composed of narrow, yellow petals.
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas bitterness values of 20 000 000; amarogentin - with bitterness values of 58 000 000);
gentiobiose (disaccharide with bitter taste)
I.107
Active compounds of Gentianae radix – Gentian root Uses
Gentian root is used as amarum for treatment of dyspepsia; it is tonic, roborant and cholagogue. It is used as raw material in liqueur industry.
O
Characters of Plants
125
Geum urbanum L. – Colewort, wood avens Rosaceae – Rose family
I.108
Geum urbanum L. – Colewort, wood avens Distribution, habitats
It is native to Europe, as well as to temperate regions of Asia and North Africa. It is a perennial herbaceous plant living in forests (particularly in woods mixed with oak trees) and thickets.
Morphology
Its purple rhizome is cylindrical, with several roots arising from it and with a pleasant scent. The pubescent stem is 50 to 80 cm tall with only few branches. The base- and stem-leaves are petiolate, compound with 3 leaflets, while the upper leaves are simple.
The main axis and the side branches terminate in a yellow flower. The perianth consists of a double, backward bending calyx and ovate petals. The flowering period lasts from May to late autumn. The apocarpous gynoeceum develops into a group of achenes, the styles forming hard, hooky burrs that aid dispersal.
Drug
Gei urbani rhizoma et radix – Colewort root and rhizome Phytochemistry
essential oil (eugenol, gein), about 30% tannin (mainly gallotannins), triterpenes, phenol-carboxylic acids
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas
I.109
Active compounds of Gei radix et rhizoma – Colewort root and rhizome Uses
astringent, antidiarrhoeal, against fever, homoeopathy
OH OH COOH
OH CH2
O-CH3
CH CH2 CH2
O-CH3 O-glü-ra
CH CH2
protocatechuic acid eugenol gein
Characters of Plants
127
Ginkgo biloba L. – Ginkgo Ginkgoaceae – Ginkgo family
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Ginkgo biloba L. – Ginkgo Distribution, habitats
It is native to China and Japan, but it can be cultivated in Europe, South Africa and America. Ginkgo is the only living representative of the order Ginkgoales and is planted worldwide as an ornamental tree.
Morphology
It is a large, dioecious, deciduous tree. The short shoots bear fan-shaped, often two-lobed leaves with dichotomous venation. The juvenile leaves are yellowish green, then turn dark green, and finally they are golden yellow in autumn. The catkin-like reproductive structures of the male trees are called „cones”, bearing microsporangia that release pollen grains. The female trees are lacking cones, and their reproductive structures bear 2 free-standing ovules. Ginkgo is in flower in May. The hard, stone-like seed surrounded by a fleshy aril is 1.5 to 2 cm large, resembling a small plum. When ripe, the seeds fall on the ground and the outer fleshy coat starts decaying, emitting a strong, unpleasant smell due to the released lactic acid and valerianic acid.
Drug
Ginkgo folium – ginkgo leaf(Ph. Eur. 5.0) Phytochemistry
diterpene lactones (ginkgolides A, B, C and J), sesquiterpene lactones (bilobalide), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides), biflavonoids (bilobetin, ginkgetin, amentoflavone), procyanidins
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas
I.111
Active compounds of Ginkgo bilobae folium – Ginkgo leaf Uses
It is used to improve cerebral and peripheral circulation, especially in the elderly or against dizziness, headaches and to prevent age-related memory loss. It has an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation, and therefore may be helpful in the treatment of varicose veins and diabetes. It is raw material for pharmaceutical industry.
O
Characters of Plants
129
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. – Liquorice Fabaceae – Bean family
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Ginkgo biloba L. – Ginkgo Distribution, habitats
It is a perennial herb, native to Eurasia and North Africa, spreading with stolons.
Morphology
The rhizome is well-developed, giving rise to stolons and 1-2-m-long root branches whose inner surface is yellowish. The shoot is about 1 m tall. The leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. The leaflets are entire and truncate, the abaxial surface is sticky. The blue to purple papilionaceous flowers cluster into 10-15-cm-long racemes.
Liquorice is in flower in June. The fruit is a laterally compressed, brown, non-dehsicent legume with a smooth surface and holding several seeds. The fruits of G. glabra ssp.
glandulifera are glandular.
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas Drug
Liquiritiae radix – Liquorice root (Ph. Eur. 5.0), Liquiritiae extractum fluidum ethanolicum normatum – Standardised liquorice ethanolic liquid extract (Ph. Eur. 5.0) Phytochemistry
triterpene saponins (glycyrrhizin, consists of glycyrrhizic acid in a mixture of potassium and calcium salts, it has a sweet taste), flavonoid glycosides (liquiritine, isoliquiritine), isoflavonoids
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Active compounds of Liquiritiae radix – Liquorice root Uses
glycyrrhizin is about 150 times sweeter than sucrose (flavouring and sweetening agent for candies), the aqueous extract of the drug can be used to treat peptic ulcer, has anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and expectorant properties
O
Characters of Plants
131
Gypsophila paniculata L. – Baby's breath Caryophyllaceae – Pink family or carnation family
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Gypsophila paniculata L. – Baby's breath Distribution, habitats
This herbaceous perennial plant is native to East, South-East and Central Europe, as well as the temperate climate zones of Asia. The plant prefers open sandy grasslands, loose sandy soils and enbankments. It can be cultivated along streams and sedimentary soils.
Morphology
The branching rhizome continues in a root system which can be as long as 1.5 to 2 m.
The profusely branched stem is 60-90 cm tall. The leaves are decussate, sessile and lanceolate. The numerous tiny white flowers cluster into a pseudo-umbel. The flowering period lasts from July to August. The calyx is fused, the petals are free. The androecium consists of 2 whorls. The fruit is a capsule dehiscing with teeth, containing numerous seeds.
Drug
Saponariae albae (hungaricae) radix – (White) soap root (Ph. Hg. VII.) Phytochemistry
15-20% triterpene saponins (gypsogenine)
Digital Herbarium and Drog Atlas
I.115
Active compound of Saponariae albae radix – White soap root Uses
expectorant in bronchitis, traditionally used against rheumatoid arthritis and skin diseases. Due to its white flowers, it is frequently used as an ornamental plant.
O
H CHO
COOH H
gypsogenine
Characters of Plants
133