A plant genus of the family SMILACACEAE. Members contain smiglasides (phenylpropanoid glycosides) and steroidal saponins. Commercially it is sometimes adulterated with HEMIDESMUS, which would affect experimental results.
Hemidesmus
A plant genus of the family ASCLEPIADACEAE. It is a source of PREGNANES. It is sometimes an adulterant of commercial sarsaparilla.
Nigella
A plant genus of the family RANUNCULACEAE.
Rhizome
Root-like underground horizontal stem of plants that produces shoots above and roots below. Distinguished from true roots which don't have buds and nodes. Similar to true roots in being underground and thickened by storage deposits.