Origin. - The dried bark of Viburnum opulus L., a small tree 10 to 15 feet (3-4.5 M.) high, indigenous in Canada, the Northern United States, Europe, and Northern Asia.

Description and Properties. - Flattish or curved bands, or, occasionally, quills, sometimes 12 inches (30 Cm.) long and from 1/25 to 1/16 inch (1 - 1.5 Mm.) thick; outer surface ash-gray, marked with somewhat transversely scattered, elongated warts of a brownish color, due to abrasion, and marked more or less with blackish dots, with black, irregular lines or thin ridges, arranged chiefly in a longitudinal direction; underneath the easily removed corky layer of a pale-brownish or reddish-brown color; the inner surface dingy white or brownish; fracture tough, the tissue separating in layers; inodorous; taste somewhat astringent and bitter.

Dose. - 1-2 drams (4.0-8.0 Gm.) [30 grains (2 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Fluidextractum Viburni Opuli - Fluidextracti Viburni Opuli - Fluidextract of Cramp Bark. - Dose, 1-2 fluidrams (3.7-7.3 Cc).

The general observations upon Viburnum prunifolium are applicable to this drug.