English name:     Lappa.

Synonyms: Burdock Root, Foreign Burdock,    European       Burdock

Botanical origin:     Arctium Lappa L.

Part used:  Root.

Impurities:  None given officially.

Assay:     None mentioned.

Ash:     Not more than 6%.

Habitat:   Europe and Northern Asia, sparingly naturalized in the USA, mostly in the Eastern States.

Description:    European lappa occurs as entire roots, as longitudinal, and as transverse slices or root.  The entire roots are usually simple. They measure up to 30 cm. in length and up to 25 mm. in diameter.  The crown is slightly annulate, hollow  above and frequently filled with unicellular hairs of partially developed leaves.  The texture is resinous and horny.  The color is graish brown or white where the surface has been abraded.  The surface is irregularly  longitudinally furrowed and has slightly elevated root scars.  The fracture is very brittle and uneven.  The outline of cross-sections of entire roots is cylindrical; of cut slices, irregular.  The cortex which is yellowish gray or brown is thin and slightly radiate.  The cambium zone is blackish brown.  The wood is yellowish white near the cambium and radiate.  The pith is white and cleft or solid.  The odor is not characteristic. The taste is sweet, mucilaginous, and slightly bitter.