CALIFORNIAN HERB-LORE. 191 
‘dispensary is an attic stored with herbs, or perhaps more 
commonly, a large sack, the contents of which are renewed 
yearly from the field, wood, shore, hill, and plain. 
Perezia microcephala, distributed through the Coast 
counties from Monterey to San Diego, is a composite with 
rose-colored bilabiate flowers, the single representative of 
the tribe Mutisiacee in California. The medium-sized 
heads are arranged in corymbs at the ends of the branches. 
The large, thin leaves have denticulate margins. It is a vig- 
orous plant in early spring, attains a height of about three 
feet and blooms during the summer. The corollas are 
finally superseded by the copious pappus and for the rest of 
the year the plant stands like a gray-haired beggar by the 
wayside. The roots are coarse, yellow fibers, containing 
when fresh, a pungent yellow sap. The Spanish name for 
this plant is sacapellote. It is used with really excellent 
results for asthma. A decoction is made from the roots which 
is taken internally, and also applied as a wash to the throat. 
Trichostema lanatum is highly prized for its medicinal 
qualities and is administered with confidence for many ills 
that flesh is heir to. It is found on the mountains in rocky 
soil and is geographically distributed from near Monterey 
to San Diego. It is a shrub, two or three feet high, the 
branches thickly set with narrow, revolute-margined leaves. 
The dark-blue flowers with long exserted style and stamens 
grow in spikes which are densely clothed with purple-hued 
wool. Asaremedy for ulcers or any other kind of sore, 
whether old or new, it is efficacious either alone or in com- 
bination with wine or sweet oil; it is used too for inflammation, 
either external or internal. Furthermore, it is said to have 
virtues asa cosmetic. This testimony I had from a wrinkle- 
faced senora, who promised personally to demonstrate its 
powers to regain the charms of youth and beauty. The 
Californian Mexicans call this plant romero, which is the 
Spanish for “rosemary.” 
