116 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



495. Linum usitatissimum L. Flax. Linacece. 



Extensively cultivated as a fiber plant. Seeds rich in oil, which is 

 used for technical and other purposes. Well-known plant. 



496. Lippia citriodora Kunth. Lemon verbena. Sweet verbena. 

 Verbenacece. 



This and other species of lemon verbena are extensively cultivated 

 as ornamental plants. The deliciously lemon-scented leaves are used 

 in sachet powders. They contain tannin, a volatile oil and an aromatic 

 substance. The Mexican species (L. mexicana) is used as a demulcent 

 and expectorant. 



497. Liquidamber styraciflua L. Alligator tree. Sweet gum. 

 Hamamelidacece. 



Introduced plant. A gum (storax, styrax, liquidamber) exudes 

 from this plant, which is used as an expectorant, diuretic, stimulant; 

 externally in ointments and cerates. Used largely in the manufacture 

 of gum and as a flavoring agent. (U. S. Disp.) (Proc. A. Ph. A. 23: 

 157-162, 1875.) 



498. Liriodendron tulipifera L. Tulip tree. Magnoliacece. 



A large, handsome ornamental tree. The bark is used as a stimulat- 

 ing tonic. It has diaphoretic qualities and is used in chronic rheu- 

 matism and in dyspepsia. (U. S. Disp.) 



499. Litmus, Lacmus. Lichenes. 



A dye obtained from several species of lichen, largely from Rocella 

 tinctoria, found in lower California. 



500. Lolium species. Darnels. Graminece. 



The nature of the poison of the loliums is not well understood. The 

 poisonous principle temulin, found in the seed, is supposed to be due 

 to the presence of a hyphal fungus. This same fungus is also found 

 in other poisonous species of lolium, as L, arvense, L. linicola and L. 

 italicum. (Pharm. Journ. Trans. 251, 1899.) 



501 Lolium temulentum L. Darnel. Graminece. 



Naturalized from Europe. Common in California. Well-known 

 poisonous plant without reputed medicinal value. The parched seeds 

 are eaten by Indians. 



502. Lonicera caprifolium L. Honeysuckle. Capri foliacece. 



Well-known ornamental plant found everywhere. The flowers are 

 used in the manufacture of perfumery and a syrup prepared from 

 them is used in asthma and in lung 'troubles. The juice is said to 

 relieve bee stings. The fruit of all species of Lonicera is emetic and 

 cathartic. 



