LIZARD-TAIL FAMILY 



(Saururaceos) 



Perennial herbs with perfect flowers without petals, calyx 

 when present often colored like a corolla. Stamens 6 to 8. 



YERBA MANSA (Anemopsis calif arnica, Hook). Flowers 

 small, in a compact conical spike, surrounded at the base by a 

 showy white or pinkish involucre of several persistent bracts 

 resembling a corolla, at the summit of a few-leaved, reddish 

 stalk. Basal leaves numerous, long-petioled, like those of the 

 common dock. In bloom from March till August in low wet 

 and alkaline places in the central valley of California, through- 

 out Southern California and east to Utah and Western Texas. 



The creeping rootstock of this famous plant is peppery and 

 astringent, and has long been prized as a household remedy by 

 Californians. The dried root is chewed for troubles of the 

 mucous membrane; and an infusion of the root is applied out- 

 wardly for rheumatic pains and skin troubles. A mash of 

 the leaves is also used as a poultice for sores. The name Yerba 

 Mansa, "tame herb" is quite meaningless. A Spanish lady 

 of my acquaintance has stated that the true name is Yerba 

 del Manso, the herb of the tamed Indian. 



