b PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



valleys of middle and southern California, the vegetation presents a 

 tropical aspect, due to the palms, cycads, yuccas, aloes, century plants, 

 magnolias, figs, banana plants, lemons, limes, oranges, carobs, olives, 

 eucalypti, and other plants, which are not found in the open in the 

 central, eastern, and northern United States. Wild oats, wild rye, and 

 other grasses are common and cause the prompt green coloration of hill- 

 sides within a few weeks after the first heavy rainfalls in the autumn. 

 Among the native trees are the incomparable giant sequoias, the tall 

 pines, and the enormous gnarled oaks. The multitude of varieties of 

 introduced eucalypti and acacias form the striking feature of the Cali- 

 fornia arboreal flora. Many remarkable foreign plants have become 

 well established, as the gingkos, casuarinas, tree ferns, araucarias, 

 palms, cycads, pepper trees, and others. Plants which in the East are 

 known only as small herbs here assume tree-like proportions, as the 

 hydrangeas, fuchsias, geraniums, the lemon verbenas, and others. Ever- 

 green trees predominate, though such deciduous trees as the cherry, 

 apple, plum, poplar, maple, walnut, hickory, and many others do well 

 and are extensively cultivated. Most of the subtropical plants are from 

 Australia, southern Europe, and Mexico; many are now being intro- 

 duced from China, Japan, and the Philippines. Some are from South 

 America, the West Indies, Italy, and Spain, with stragglers from other 

 tropical and subtropical countries. Under cultivation, with suitable 

 soil and drainage, the vegetation grows with remarkable rapidity and 

 luxuriance. Some plants will not thrive well because of the prevailing 

 cool nights, as Indian corn, cotton, and sugar cane, although these 

 plants are grown quite successfully and profitably in certain localities. 

 Cotton, for example, does well in the Imperial Valley region. 



With a flora so remarkable and varied, it is reasonable to expect the 

 presence of a comparatively large number of plants which have, or may 

 have, medicinal value. This will be borne out by the list of medicinal 

 plants reported from the State. Aromatic, fragrant, and spicy fruits, 

 trees, grasses, and herbs are abundant. The medicinal uses of many 

 have been ascertained through the Indians, early Spanish missionaries 

 and settlers. 



3. California Dealers in Vegetable Drags. In order to ascertain 

 certain facts with regard to the commerce in California vegetable drugs,, 

 a letter was addressed to the leading wholesale drug houses in San Fran- 

 cisco, asking for a list of vegetable drugs which were obtained from the 

 State. Prompt replies were received and with one exception the follow- 

 ing are the drugs secured from the State which were offered for sale at 

 regular market value : Cascara sagrada, Yerba santa, Yerba buena, 

 Berberis aquifolium, Grindelia robusta, Angelica root, Absinthium, 



