126 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



by the ancients ; reported to be aphrodisiac. Roots of N. alb?, were also 

 esteemed as an aphrodisiac by the ancients. Numerous varieties found 

 in cultivation. (Am. Jour. Pharm. 96: 1883.) 



586. Ocium basilicum L. Sweet basil. Labiatce. 



A native of India and Persia, cultivated in gardens. The entire 

 plant is highly aromatic. Has the general properties of aromatic 

 plants. Seeds used in India in the treatment of gonorrhoaa. 



587. (Enanthe calif ornica Wats. Fool's parsnip. Umbelliferce. 

 Reported to be poisonous. Requires further study as to poisonous 



constituents. 



588. OEnothera biennis L. Evening primrose. Onagracece. 



Cultivated. Common throughout the United States. Before the in- 

 troduction of the potato the fleshy roots of this plant were eaten. Medic- 

 inally used in whooping cough, spasmodic asthma; as an ointment in 

 eruptive skin diseases of children and as an application to ulcers. 



589. (Enothera brevipes Gray. Evening primrose. Onagracece. 

 This and other species of evening primrose are eaten by Indians as 



a salad or stewed. Also used medicinally. 



589. Olea europaea L. and varieties. Olive. Oleacece. 



Olives are extensively cultivated in California. There is a volumin- 

 ous literature on the oil, fruit, cultivation, commerce, use, etc., of the 

 olive. 



591. Opuntia species. Prickly pears. Indian figs. Cactacece. 

 The opuntias form a very important vegetation for the Indians of 



southern California. The young succulent shoots, the fruit, seeds and 

 buds are eaten, cooked or steamed. The plants contain much stored 

 water, which the thirsty traveler often uses. According to Mr. Ver- 

 million (verbal report), railroad employees, civil engineers, and others 

 employed in the desert regions, use the cut opuntia plants to purify 

 drinking water. A number of pieces are placed in a pail of water, 

 the dirt and clay particles cling to the abundant mucilage that exudes, 

 and are carried to the bottom of the vessel. Other cacti are similarly 

 used. Barrows states that there are over fifty species of cacti in the 

 United States, a majority of which are found in California. Mr. Bur- 

 bank and others have devoted much time and energy toward develop- 

 ing edible spineless varieties. (Bailey Cycl. Am. Hort. 1143-1152.) 



592. Opuntia basilaris En glm. Cactacece. 



The fruits are eaten after being specially prepared. This is said 

 to be the most valuable of the opuntias. 



593. Opuntia bernardina Englm. Cactacece. 



Native of southern California. Properties and uses like other species. 



