PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 129 



with the prevailing coolness of the atmosphere. The date palm thrives 

 as far north as San Francisco, but bears edible, well-ripened fruit only 

 in the southern part of the State. 



615. Panax (Aralia) quinquefolium D. and C. Ginseng. Ameri- 

 ginseng. Araliacece. 



Native of North America closely related to the Chinese ginseng 

 lia ginseng). Medicinally of very little value, but very valuable 



mmercially. Used largely by the Chinese, who look upon it as a uni- 



rsal panacea. The wild growing ginseng is becoming scarce. Very 

 nsively cultivated in different parts of the United States. There 



a plantation at Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and in other parts of Cali- 

 fornia. 



The plant requires shade (either natural or artificial) and a moist, 

 rich soil. From time of seeding it takes about four or five years before 

 root gathering is begun. Clean, large, unbroken, forked roots bring 

 a good price. Specimens resembling the human form bring high prices. 

 Market value variable, ranging from seventy-five cents to fourteen dol- 

 lars per pound. California market good. Culture requires care. 



616. Papaver somniferum L. Poppy. Papaveracece. 

 Cultivated everywhere, largely as an ornamental plant. In England 



also for the fruits and seeds. Experiments should be made to deter- 

 mine whether or not it is possible to secure the opium in some cheap 

 and simple way. Until this is accomplished it will be impossible to 

 cultivate the poppy profitably for the yield of opium, in the United 

 States or any other civilized country. 



The quality of opium from the poppy grown in California, has proven 

 first-class. (J. H. Flint, American Journal of Pharmacy, 46:105, 

 1874.) The same may be said of opium from other States of the Union. 

 (Am. Journ. Pharm, 286, 1894; 435, 1896). 



617. Parthenium argentatum Gray. Mexican rubber plant. Com- 

 positce. 



A shrubby plant, native of Mexico, which is not reported from the 

 State, but which would undoubtedly thrive on the dry hills of south- 

 ern California. This plant contains a resin used medicinally by the 

 Mexicans. The plant has come into prominence through the fact that 

 it contains a high percentage of rubber (thirty to fifty per cent). A 

 syndicate has secured possession of all plants about Torreon, Mexico, 

 where it is most abundant. The rubber obtained from this plant is of 

 fair quality, and is said to be exported very largely. Whether this 

 plant can be cultivated readily is a matter which must be determined 

 experimentally. Efforts to secure seed and living plants have thus far 

 failed. 



9 BF 



