Sarracenia. Side-saddle plant, Fly trap, Pitcher plant. Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia variolaris.
Sarracenia. Side-saddle Plant. Fly Trap. Pitcher Plant. Huntsman's Cup. Water Cup. Sarracenie, Fr., G.—According to E. P. Porcher, the roots of Sarracenia flava L., and S. variolaris Michx., have long been used in the Southern United States in dyspepsia, and are tonic, laxative, and diuretic. Sheppard found them to contain lignin, coloring matter, resin, an acid salt of lime, and probably an alkaloid. Stan. Martin asserts that he has found in the root—(1) an alkaloid which he proposes to name sarracenine; (2) a resin; (3) a yellow coloring principle (probably identical with Schmidt's sarracenic acid); (4) extractive; (5) substances which constitute the framework of plants. Sarracenine is white, soluble in alcohol and ether, combines with acids to form salts, and with sulphuric acid forms handsome needles, which are bitter, and communicate this taste to its menstrua. (Ann. Ther., 1866, 73.) E. Schmidt, however, found no alkaloid but discovered sarracenic acid. (A. J. P., 18.72, 213.) Dose, of tincture (two ounces in one pint), a fluidrachm (3.75 mils); of fluidextract, from ten to twenty minims (0.6-1.3 mils).
