Euphorbia Pilulifera

L-Inositol is found in the free state in the drug Euphorbia pilulifera L. (15), but it is found principally as quebrachitol, 1-0-methyl-L-inositol (7, 16), This methyl ether is named for the quebracho tree, from which it was first isolated (17), It occurs in many other plants (2,18), but its most ready source is the latex of the rubber tree (Hevea broMliensis) (19), Conversion of one of the active inositols into the other requires inversion of the configuration of carbon atoms 4 and 5 only. 

Source Euphorbia pilulifera L. (syn. E. hirta L. E. capitata Lam.) (Family Euphorbiaceae). 

Euphorbia, Pill-bearing spurge snake-weed cat s hair Queensland asthma weed flowery -headed spurge. Dried herb of Euphorbia hirta L. or E. pilulifera L., Euphor-biaceae. Habit. Queensland (Australia), India, widely distributed in tropical countries. Constit. Several resins, an unstable glucoside. 

---