140 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



712. Ramalina reticulata. Beard moss. Old man 's beard. Lichenes. 

 Common on California live oak, hanging in long tufts from the 



branches. Also found on pines and other trees. Used for bedding and 

 as a packing material. At one time used as a hair tonic. Has no 

 medicinal value. 



713. Ramona (Audebertia) species. Sage. Greasewood. Hum- 

 ming bird sage. Labiatece. 



Noted honey yielding plants of Southern California. The honey from 

 the flowers is of extra quality. The following are the more common 

 species : A. stachyoides Benth., A. nivea Benth., A. grandiflora Benth. 

 and A. polystachia Benth. 



714. Ranunculus species, Crowfoot. Ranunculacece. 



Most of the species have acrid properties and are poisonous. R. flam- 

 mula L., R. scelaratus L. and other species found in the State contain 

 alkaloids (ranunculine) which are highly irritating and poisonous. 

 The fresh leaves of several species are applied externally for blistering 

 purposes. There are many native species. 



715. Ranunculus eisenii Kellogg. Buttercup. Ranunculacece. 



This species contain an acrid, more or less poisonous principle, char- 

 acteristic of the group. The parched seeds are eaten by Indians. The 

 seeds of R. californicus are also eaten. (Cal. Geog. Surv. Bot. 1: 4.) 



716. Razoumofskya (Arceuthobium) occidentalis K. Pine mistle- 

 toe. Loranthacece. 



A mistletoe parasitic on the digger pine. A decoction of the plant 

 is used by Indians to relieve pain in the stomach. (Contrib. U. S. Nat. 

 Herb. 7:3, 345.) 



717. Reseda alba L. White Mignonette. Resedacece. 



Escaped from gardens native of Europe. Perhaps useful as a dia- 

 phoretic and diuretic. 



718. Reseda luteola L. Dyer's weed. Resedacece. 

 Contains a yellow dye which has been used commercially, ( 



Geog. Surv. Bot. 1:53.) 



719. Reseda odorata L. Common mignonette. Resedacece. 



A common European garden plant, which has escaped from cultiva- 

 tion. Similar in action to R. luteola. 



720. Rhamnus species. Buckthorns. Rhamnacece. 



These constitute the most important medicinal trees of California. 

 Their medicinal value is widely and favorably known. There is some 

 confusion on the part of collectors and dealers with regard to species 

 and varieties. Physicians and pharmacologists are not clear as to their 



