Myxopyrum smilacifolium smilacifolium

Description

They are evergreen or deciduous plants in colder climates, the dimensions of which, depending on the species, ranging from a few decimetres to approximately 4/5 meters in height. The bark is smooth and greenish. The white flowers and the typical smell of latex, gather in inflorescences panicle terminal. Since these are formed of berries black, shiny and poisonous . From these berries is extracted, by treatment with boiling distilled water, a coloring substance which is used as a chemical indicator pH : the ligulina, which has the property of tack to the red color in an acidic environment (pH 6 to 0), and turn to green in a basic environment (pH 8 to 14), also indicates the presence of calcareous waters with toning water to the same blue color. [ Citation needed ]