24 



SHRUBS 



Des. 



Calif. 



Nev. 



Utah 



Ariz. 



N. M. 



Tex. 



Des. 

 Chap. 



Calif. 

 Ariz. 



S-19. CREOSOTE BUSH, Larrea 

 divaricata; Caltrops Fam. An erect- 

 growing and many branched bush from 

 2'-9' tall; leaves appear divergently 2- 

 lobed; yellow flowers solitary and ter- 

 minal; foliage very resinous and strong- 

 smelling. The roots put out an inhibi- 

 tor to keep other plants from growing 

 too near. But, in seasons of heavy or 

 frequent rains the inhibitor is washed 

 from the ground and then you will see 

 flowers and small plants growing around 

 these bushes. As the soil dries, the 



inhibitor starts again and the neighbors leave in a short time. 

 Creosote yields a coloring matter, and a gum (lac) secreted by 



a scale insect, which the Indians used to attach arrow tips to the 



shafts of fire-hardened wood. 



Creosote was considered to be a cure-all by many Indians. A 



decoction of the leaves was used for stomach disorders, chicken 



pox, kidney trouble, colds, snake bites, rheumatism,/\venereal 



diseases, sores, and tetanus. Powdered 



dry leaves used for sores. Strong tea 



used for tonic and mixed with badger oil 



as a burn ointment. The Spaniards used 



a preparation for sick cattle and saddle 



gall on horses. 



S-20. GOAT NUT or JOJOBA, Sim - 

 mondsia chinensis ; Box Fam. 3' -10' 

 high bush, with gray-green leaves; the 

 rather nondescript-colored, greenish 

 flowers form head-like clusters, each 

 turning into a smooth, brown, cylindri- 

 cal capsule like an acorn. Forms a very 

 good stock feed on heavily grazed land. 



Indians used seeds by roasting and 

 grinding them for a beverage; oil of the 

 seed was used as a hair tonic. Fruit has 

 a nutty flavor and early Californians 

 made a beverage that was used as a cof- 

 fee substitute, by roasting and grinding nuts. 



mixing them with 



