132 



LEGUMINOS^E. 



Constituent. — Eesin and volatile oil. 



Preparations. — None are ofKcial. Alcoliol extracts the most important 

 constituents of the plants. 



Medical Prop€rtiei<. and Uses. — The above -described, as well as several 

 other indigenous species of the genus, have been used to a limited extent 

 as remedial agents, but not sufficiently to estabhsh their character. All of 

 them have a pungent, bitter, and somewhat aromatic taste, and are doubt- 

 less entitled to a place among the feebler aromatic bitter tonics. The fusi- 

 form root of I\ escidenta is somewhat farinaceous, and was formerly eaten 

 by the Indians ; wlien roasted, Pnrsh says, they are similar to yams. The 

 early Canadian voyageurs gave the plant the name pomme de prairie or 

 l)omme hlanche. 



ROBINIA.— Locust Tree. 



Robinia Pseudacacia Linne. — Common Locust. 



Description. — Calyx short, 5-toothed, slightly 2-lipped. Corolla : 



standard large, rounded, re- 

 flexed ; wing and keel nearly 

 as long. Stamens diadelphous. 

 Pod about 3 inches long, flat, 

 5- to 6-seeded. 



In its native habitat a large 

 tree, 70 to 80 feet- high and 3 

 to 4 feet in diameter ; farther 

 north it seldom attains half 

 this size. Leaves unequally 

 pinnate ; leaflets 9 to 13, ses- 

 sile, oval, thin, smooth and 

 shining. Flowers numerous, 

 in loose pendulous racemes, 

 white, and very fragrant ; they 

 appear in June. 



Habitat. — Southern Penn- 

 sylvania to Illinois and south- 

 ward. It is cultivated for 

 ornament and for its valu- 

 able timber in all parts of the 

 country, and is also largely grown in Eui'ope. 



Parts Used. — The leaves, flowers, bark, and root — not official. 



Constituents. — The bark has yielded to analysis asparagin and a peculiar 

 glucoside termed robinin. 



Preparations. — The bark has been employed in decoction, the leaves in 

 powder, and the flowers in the form of a syrup. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — These are altogether problematical. The 



Fig. 121.— Robinia Pseudacacia. 



