120 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



part of the State. The large tuberous roots are rich in starch (cassava 

 starch). (U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. No. 167, 1903.) 



532. Maranta species. Maranta. Arrowroot. Scitaminece. 

 Common in conservatories. Also cultivated in the open in southern 



California. Yields starch (maranta starch.) 



533. Marrubium vulgare L. Hoarhound. Labiatce. 



A very common weed along roadsides and in neglected dry fields. 

 A well-known medicinal plant, which can be grown without any diffi- 

 culty whatever. Whites as well as Indians use a leaf decoction for 

 coughs and colds and to check diarrhoea. Used in cough drops and 

 confections. 



534. Matricaria chamomilla L. Chamomile. Composite. 



An old-time popular medicinal pot herb, easy of cultivation, and 

 enjoying wide popular use as a tonic and diaphoretic, in the form of 

 a tea. Especially popular among the Germans. 



535. Matricaria discoidea D. C. Manzanilla. Chamomile. La- 

 biatce. 



A fragrant native herb, common along walks and roadsides. A very 

 popular domestic remedy, used as a tonic diaphoretic and to check diar- 

 rhcea ; given in colic, especially in stomach and bowel complaints of chil- 

 dren. Could be grown profitably and would no doubt displace the 

 foreign species. (Calif. Geol. Surv. Bot. 1: 401) (Contrib. U. S. Nat. 

 Herb. 7: No. 3, 395.) 



536. Megarrhiza. (See Micrampelis. ) 



537. Melia azedarach L. Pride of India. Meliacece. 



A handsome tree from Persia and India, extensively cultivated in 

 parks, etc., as an ornamental plant. The seeds are rich in oil. The 

 bark decoction is said to have cathartic, emetic and narcotic properties. 

 The bark is used as an anthelmintic, particularly in the southern states. 



538. Melilotus alba Lam. White sweet clover. Papilionacece. 



A European plant which has become disseminated throughout the 

 United States with marvelous rapidity. The white flowers are fragrant 

 and are used to scent tobacco, cheese, clothing, etc., in sachet powders, 

 to keep away moths, etc. It is used medicinally. 



539. Melilotus officinalis L. Yellow sweet clover. Papilionacece. 

 Well known medicinally. Contains cumarin. Found everywhere, 



though less abundant than M. alba. 



540. Melissa officinalis L. Balm. Labiatce. 



Well-known medicinal herb found almost everywhere; naturalized 

 in places. Readily cultivated. A popular honey bee plant. 



