SMILAX FAMILY. 329 
by the writer it was estimated that there were over 200 plants in 1 
square foot of ground. The plant very closely resembles the harvest 
brodiaea (//vokera coronaria), but the flowers are more numerous— 
from 10 to 30—and narrower, and have a much less succulent texture. 
The figure here given represents a plant cultivated in the greenhouse 
at Washington. The sweet bulbs are especially esteemed for food by 
the Yukis, who call the plant @f-pot’. The Yokia name is bd /a, 
the Wailaki gén’-cha. 
Triteleia peduncularis Lindl. 
Lat (Yuki).—A white-flowered brodiaea, very similar in general 
form to an overgrown speciinen of the last plant. All of the parts, 
however, are larger and the flowers are more numerous. It is a very 
handsome species, which is rather common in the wet meadows of 
Round Valley but attains its most robust development in proximity 
to springs on the open mountain sides. The bulbs are used to some 
extent for food. 
CONVALLARIACEAE. Lily-of-the-Valley Family. 
Trillium sessile giganteum Hook. & Arn. 
Lhial-zhoi'-é (Yuki).-The common liver-colored or white trillium, 
which grows in the shade in damp valleys and along shaded streams 
throughout the district. The tuber-like rhizomes are used in medi- 
cine, but are so intensely bitter that the Indians use them internally 
only as a last resort. The exact application could not be ascertained, 
but the Wailakis and Yukis drink a decoction of it apparently for the 
purpose of preventing deep and lasting sleep. They describe it as 
good for ‘any kind of sick.” Both the bruised leaves and crushed 
root are used as a poultice for boils. One application lasts for two or 
three hours, after which time it is renewed again and again for about 
two or three days when the boil has been brought toa head. The 
Wailaki name for the plant is he-cha'-te-cha; the Little Lake A7-/a’- 
hi-um. It is considered of no value by the latter tribes; the Concows 
consider it poisonous. 
SMILACEAE. Smilax Family. 
Smilax californica Gray. 
This, the only native species of Smilax in California, does not occur 
in Mendocino County, but is common along the head waters of the Sac- 
ramento. The fine long trailing limbs are exceedingly strong and are 
used to some extent in Round Valley and perhaps at Ukiah for basket 
making. The Indians state that the strands have a natural brownish- 
black color. 
