USEFUL WILD PLANTS 



matter to them, in order that they might at a future 

 time be enabled to make use of a valuable medicine 

 which grows abundantly everywhere throughout the 

 country. ' ' 



Closely related to the Dogwoods is a genus of 

 shrubs called by botanists Garrya. Several species 

 are indigenous to our Far West. They are ever- 

 green with inconspicuous flowers, which are of two 

 sexes borne on separate individuals in drooping, 

 tassel-like clusters or catkins. Garrya elliptica, 

 Dougl., is a common shrub of the California chapar- 

 ral, that has been considered ornamental enough to 

 be introduced into gardens both in this country and 

 abroad under the name ' ' Silk-tassel bush." Bark, 

 leaves and fruit are exceedingly bitter. The in- 

 herent principle seems to be the same as in the Dog- 

 woods, and a decoction of bark or leaves has been 

 similarly used for the relief of intermittent fevers. 

 The shrub is known locally as Quinine-bush and 

 Fever-bush. 3 



3 A multitude of wild plants have at various times and in all 

 parts of our country had a place in popular favor as remedies 

 more or less efficacious for the bite of venomous serpents. They 

 are usually called, in common speech, Rattlesnake-weed, Rattlesnake- 

 root, Rattlesnake-master, or among the Spanish-speaking people of 

 the Southwest, Yerba de Vibora or Oolondrina. Their real value, 

 however, is so questionable that it seems hardly worth while to 

 devote space here to their description. 



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