USEFUL WILD PLANTS 



matter to them, in order that they might at a future 

 time be enabled to make use of a valuable medicine 

 which grows abundantly everywhere throughout the 

 country." 



Closely related to the Dogwoods is a genus of 

 shrubs called by botanists Garrya. Several species 

 are indigenous to our Far West. They are ever- 

 green with inconspicuous flowers, which are of two 

 sexes borne on separate individuals in drooping, 

 tassel-like clusters or catkins. Garrya elliptica, 

 Dougl., is a common shrub of the California chapar- 

 ral, that has been considered ornamental enough to 

 be introduced into gardens both in this country and 

 abroad under the name "Silk-tassel bush." Bark, 

 leaves and fruit are exceedingly bitter. The in- 

 herent principle seems to be the same as in the Dog- 

 woods, and a decoction of bark or leaves has been 

 similarly used for the relief of intermittent fevers. 

 The shrub is known locally as Quinine-bush and 

 Fever-bush.^ 



3 A multitude of wild plants have at various times and in all 

 parts of our country had a place in popular favor as remedies 

 more or less efficacious for the bite of venomous serpents. They 

 are usually called, in common speech, Eattlesnake-weed, Battlesnake- 

 root, Rattlesnake-master, or among the Spanish-speaking people of 

 the Southwest, Yerba de Vibora or Oolondrina. Their real value, 

 however, is so questionable that it seems hardly worth while to 

 devote space here to their description. 



206 



