9945. Venice Turpentine

Nomenclature

Larch turpentine.

Description and references

Oleoresin from Larix decidua Mill. (L. europaea Lam. & DC.), Pinaceae. Habit. Middle and Southern Europe. Constit. Volatile oil, resin. Use in light microscopy: D. A. Johansen, Plant Microtechnique (McGraw Hill, New York, 1940) pp 115-116.

Properties

Yellow, sometimes greenish, limpid, tenacious, thick liquid; pleasant, aromatic odor; hot, pungent, somewhat bitter taste. Becomes hard and brittle on prolonged exposure to air. Insol in water; sol in glacial acetic acid, amyl alcohol, acetone, caustic alkalies; slowly but freely sol in alc.

Use

As clearing agent and mounting medium for light microscopy.