90 PHABMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



277. Cypripedium hirsutum Mill. Larger yellow lady's slipper. 

 Orchidacece. 



Found in Maine, Minnesota, Alabama, Arkansas, and sparingly in 

 Colorado. Can no doubt be introduced into California. 



278. Cypripedium montanum. Lady's slipper. Orckidacece. 



Not very plentiful and requires study. Another species, C. cali- 

 fornicum, is found in Mendocino County. 



279. Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. Orchidacece. 



Range much as preceding, but extending father north and west, 

 to the State of Washington. Can no doubt be cultivated in certain 

 areas of California. 



280. Cypripedium reginse Walt. Showy lady's slipper. Orchid- 

 acece. 



In swamps of Georgia, Missouri, and Minnesota. Can no doubt be 

 introduced into the boggy swamp lands of California. 



The poisonous nature of the above orchids was not suspected until 

 about 1875, when Prof. H. H. Babcock called attention to symptoms 

 produced not unlike those caused by poison ivy (Rhus radicans). 

 In 1894 Prof. D. T. MacDougal of the Tucson Experimental Station 

 investigated these plants more carefully and reached the conclusion 

 that the active principle (oil) occurred in the glandular trichomes of 

 the leaves and stems. The action and exact chemical nature of this 

 substance requires further study. (D. T. MacDougal. On the poi- 

 sonous influence of Cypripedium spectabile and C. pubescens. Min- 

 nesota Bot. Studies, Bui. 9, Jan., 1894.) 



281. Cytisus laburnum L. (Laburnum vulgare Presl.) Papilion- 

 acece. 



Cultivated in California. Poisonous. Has been used in asthma, 

 whooping-cough, dyspepsia, headache, etc. 



282. Cytisus scoparius L. Broom. Papilionacece. 



Very common as an ornamental plant throughout the State. A 

 decoction is used as a diuretic and cathartic, in cardiac affections and 

 in dropsy. In large doses it is poisonous and emetic. Said to be 

 useful as a supporter of the heart's action during chloroform and 

 ether anaesthesia. 



A very common ornamental shrub throughout the State. Well 

 known medicinally. Numerous other species of cytisus are intro- 

 duced. (U. S. Disp.) 



283. Dalea species. Leguminosce. 



The California species are limited to the southeastern desert regions. 

 They are used as food and medicinally by the Indians. 



