Palicourea. Palicourea rigida.

Palicourea. Palicourea rigida H. B. K. (Fam. Rubiaceae.)—The leaves of this tree are used in Brazil as a diuretic and diaphoretic. In 1866 Peckholdt found in them an alkaloid and three organic acids. One of these acids, consisting of a yellow, oily liquid with an overpowering odor, was found to be distinctly poisonous, one drop injected into a pigeon being enough to cause death. This was called myotonic acid. A crystalline palicouric acid, an amorphous tannin, and another amorphous non-toxic bitter principle were also isolated. Santesson has confirmed the presence of an alkaloid. (A. Pharm., 235.)

The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.