132 



LEGUMINOS^E. 



Constituents. — Kesin and volatile oil. 



Preparations. — None are official. Alcohol extracts the most important 

 constituents of the plants. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — The above-described, as well as several 

 other indigenous species of the genus, have been used to a limited extent 

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

 them have a pungent, bitter, and somewhat aromatic taste, and are doubt- 

 less entitled to a place among the feebler aromatic bitter tonics. The fusi- 

 form root of P. escidenta is somewhat farinaceous, and was formerly eaten 

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

 early Canadian voyageurs gave the plant the name pomme de prairie or 

 pomme blanche. 



ROBINI A.— Locust Tree. 



Robinia Pseudacacia Linne. — Common Locust 

 Description. — Calyx short, 5-toothed, slightly 



2-lipped. Corolla : 

 standard large, rounded, re- 

 flexed ; wing and keel nearly 

 as long. Stamens diadelphous. 

 Pod about 3 inches long, flat, 

 5- to 6-seeded. 



In its native habitat a large 

 tree, 70 to 80 feet high and 3 

 to 4 feet in diameter ; farther 

 north it seldom attains half 

 this size. Leaves unequally 

 pinnate ; leaflets 9 to 13, ses- 

 sile, oval, thin, smooth and 

 shining. Flowers numerous, 

 in loose pendulous racemes, 

 white, and very fragrant ; they 

 appear in June. 



Habitat. — 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 termed robinin. 



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. — Robinia Pseudacacia. 



