132 



LEOUMINOS^E. 



Comlituents. — Rosin and volatile oil. 



IWparaliomt. — None iiro olliciul. Alcohol extracts the most important 

 constituents of the plants. 



Medical J^ro'pcrticK and Uxes. — The nhove-doHcribcil, as well as several 

 other indigenous specdes of the genus, have been used to ii limited extent 

 as remedial agents, but not sufficiently to establish their character. All of 

 them have a pungent, bittei', and somewhat aromatic taste, and an; doubt- 

 less entitled to a place among the feebler aromatic l)itter tonics. The fusi- 

 form root of /*. cscidcnld is somewhat farinaceous, and was formerly eaten 

 by the Indians ; when roasted, Pursh says, they are similar to yams. The 

 early Canadian voyuyeio's gave the plant the name ijumme de prairie or 

 pomme blanche. 



ROBINIA.— Locust Thee. 



Robinia Pseudacacia Limic. — Common LocuKt. 



Dei^cription. — Calyx short, 5-toothed, slightly 2-]ipi)ed. Corolla : 



standard large, rounded, re- 

 flexetl ; wing and keel nearly 

 as long. Stamens diadelphous. 

 Pod about 3 inches long, llat, 

 5- to ()-sceded. 



In its native habitat a large 

 tree, 70 to 80 feet high and 8 

 to 4 feet in diameter ; farther 

 north it seldom attains half 

 this size. Leaves unecjually 

 pinnate ; leaflets i) to 13, ses- 

 sile, oval, thin, smooth and 

 shining. Flowers numerous, 

 in loose i:)endulous racemes, 

 white, and very fragrant ; they 

 appear in June. 



Hahilat. — Southern Penn- 

 sylvania to Illinois and south- 

 ward. It is cultivated for 

 ornament and for its valu- 

 able timber in all parts of the 

 country, and is also largely grown in Europe. 



Parts Used. — The leaves, flowers, bark, and root — not official. 



Constituents. — The bark has yielded to analysis asparagin and a peculiar 

 glucoside tenned rohinin. 



Preparations. — The bark has been employed in decoction, the leaves in 

 powder, and the flowers in the form of a syrup. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — These are altogether problematical. The 



Fig. 121.— Ilobini:i rccndncicia. 



