146 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



761. Sambucus glauca Nutt, California pale elder. Caprifoliacece. 

 A popular household remedy. The Indians made many medicinal 



uses of the leaves and bark. The flowers are considered a very valuable 

 diuretic and diaphoretic remedy. A decoction is much used for sores, 

 sprains, ulcers, itch, skin diseases in general, to check hemorrhage, etc. 

 The berries of this species are used much like those of Sambucus cana- 

 densis. The abundant stem pith is used as a tinder with flint and 

 steel. (Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herb. 7: 388.) 



762. Sapium sebiferum Roxb. Tallow tree. Euphorbiacew. 

 Cultivated in California ; a native of Asia. The Chinese use the fat 



obtained from the seed for lighting purposes. (Pharm. Journ. Trans., 

 401, 1883; 901, 1887.) 



763. Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncing Bet. Soapwort, Cary- 

 ophyllacece. 



Said to be poisonous ; contains saponin ; used as a substitute for soap. 

 Has been used as a substitute for sarsaparilla in the treatment of scrofu- 

 lous diseases. 



764. Sarcodes sanguinea Torr. Snow plant. Ericaceae. 



Found in the Sierras. Reported to be poisonous. The Indians of 

 Montana and southern California use it to relieve toothache. The dried 

 and powdered herb is made into a wash for the cure of ulcers, sore 

 mouth, etc. Requires further study. 



765. Sarrecenia flava L. Pitcher plant. Carreceniacew. 



Used as a tonic, laxative and diuretic. Other species have similar 

 properties and uses. Some grow in the open, others require glass 

 covers. 



766. Sarsaparilla. (See Smilax.) 



767. Sassafras sassafras Salisb. Sassafras. Lauracece. 

 A well-known medicinal plant which may be cultivated. 



768. Saxifraga species. Saxifragacece. 



There are native species and several introduced species are cultivated 

 as ornamental plants. Some species contain berganin, which is said to 

 be intermediate in action between salicylic acid and quinine. (Phar. 

 Jour. Trans. Aug., 1888.) 



769. Saxifraga peltata Torr. Indian rhubarb. Saxifragacece. 

 The Hupa Indians eat the stems. This, as well as other species, are 



quite rich in tannic and gallic acid. 



770. Schinus molle. Pepper tree. Anacardiacece. 



A native of South America. Extensively grown as an ornamental 

 tree. All parts of the plant are pungent and spicy ; the odor recalling 

 that of pepper. The fruit is about the size of the pepper and like the 



