BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 845 
Razoumofskya occidentalis (Kngelm.) Kuntze. 
Sha-lé-ko-em (Yuki).—A light yellow, leafless plant, 2 to 5 inches 
high, which is parasitic on the digger pine. A decoction of the plant 
is made and used to a limited extent as a tea to relieve stomach ache. 
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. Birthwort Family. 
Asarum caudatum Lindl. 
No Indian name was learned for this plant. It is common in damp 
woods and in deep canyons throughout the district and is commonly 
known as wild ginger. Little opportunity was found to inquire into 
its uses, but it is so remarkably aromatic that it is probably used to 
some extent by the medicine men. It was noticed that the dried roots 
retained their delightful fragrance for many months. They would 
undoubtedly prove to be an acceptable perfume to be worked into 
sachet powders. 
POLYGONACEAE. Buckwheat Family. 
Eriogonum latifolium Smith. 
Al-ha'-té (Yuki).—The white woolly plant called ** sour grass,” which 
grows about 2 feet high on open, rocky hillsides and along open streams 
throughout Round Valley. The woolly leaves are all at the base of the 
stem, and the inconspicuous flowers are arranged in a small capitate 
cluster at the end. The leaves, stem, and the woody root are very 
considerably used in the form of a decoction for pain in the stomach, 
for headache, and for female complaints. The root is especially good 
for these purposes and may be used over and over again. A decoc- 
tion of the root is also used for sore eyes. The young stems have a 
very agreeable acid taste, and are eagerly sought after by children in 
May or June, before the flowers have been developed, when they are 
still crisp and tender. 
Polygonum aviculare I. 
No Indian name was obtained for the common yard grass, or goose 
grass, Which isan introduced plant very common around houses through- 
out the region. Geese are fond of the leaves, and the seeds are gathered 
in small quantity by the Indians for pinole. A decoction of the whole 
plant, together with oak bark, is used as an astringent both by the Indians 
and the whites. 
Rumex crispus L. 
O'-pe-ol (Yuki).—The common dock, with long, undulate leaves. It 
is one of the very worst of the garden weeds throughout the district, 
growing especially in land which has been covered with water for a 
