88 AMERICAN MEDICINAL LEAVES AND HERBS. 
The broad-leaved gum plant (Grindelia squarrosa) is very similar to G. robusta, except 
that it is smaller and less gummy in appearance. It is more sparingly branched 
near the top and the branches seem more reddish. The leaves are also clasping, but 
they are longer, about 2 inches in length, and broader, thinner in texture and not 
rigid, and more prominently toothed. The smaller flower heads are generally longer 
than broad and have narrower involucral scales, the recurved tips of which are longer 
and more slender. (Fig. 29.) 
Collection, prices, and uses.—The leaves and flowering tops of both species of Grin- 
delia are official in the United States Pharmacopeeia, and should be collected about 
the time that the flowers 
have come into full bloom. 
The price ranges from 
about 5 to 10 cents a 
pound. While both spe- 
cies are official, the leaves 
and tops of Grindelia squar- 
rosa, being more prevalent, 
are generally used. 
The odor of grindelia is 
balsamic and the taste 
resinous, sharply aromatic, 
and slightly bitter. The 
drug is sometimes used in 
asthmatic and similar af- 
fections, as a stomachic, 
tonic, and externally in 
cases of poisoning by poison 
ivy. 
CANADA FLEABANE. 
Leptilon canadense (L.) 
Britton. 
Synonym.—Erigeron 
canadensis L. 
Other common names.— 
Erigeron, horseweed, 
mare’s-tail, Canada erig- 
eron, butterweed, bitter- 
weed, cow’s-tail, colt’s-tail, fireweed, bloodstanch, hogweed, prideweed, scabious. 
Habitat and range.—Canada fleabane is common in fields and waste places and along 
roadsides almost throughout North America. It is also widely distributed as a weed 
in the Old World and in South America. 
Description.—The size of this weed, which is an annual, depends upon the kind of 
soil in which it grows, the height varying from a few inches only to sometimes 10 feet 
in favorable soil. The erect stem is bristly hairy or sometimes smooth, and in the 
larger plants usually branched near the top. The leaves are usually somewhat hairy, 
the lower ones 1 to 4 inches long, broader at the top and narrowing toward the base, 
with margins toothed, lobed, or unbroken, while those scattered along the stem 
are rather narrow with margins generally entire. This weed, which belongs to the 
aster family (Asteraceze), produces from June to November numerous heads of small, 
inconspicuous white flowers, followed by an abundance ofseed. (Fig. 30.) 
ZO - 
Fig. 30.—Canada fleabane (Leptilon canadense), flowering tops. 
