\ MONG THE WILD PLANTS of the United States are many 

 XJL that have long been used in the practice of medicine, some only 

 locally and to a minor extent, but others in sufficient quantity to 

 make them commercially important. The collection of such plants 

 for the crude-drug market provides a livelihood for many people in 

 rural communities, especially in those regions where the native flora 

 has not been disturbed by agricultural or industrial expansion and 

 urban development. 



There is an active interest in the collection of medicinal plants 

 because it appeals to many people as an easy means of making money. 

 However, it frequently requires hard work, and the returns, on the 

 whole, are very moderate. Of the many plants reported to possess 

 medicinal properties, relatively few are marketable, and some of these 

 are required only in small quantities. Persons without previous 

 experience in collecting medicinal plants should first ascertain which of 

 the marketable plants are to be found in their own locality and then 

 learn to recognize them. Before undertaking the collection of large 

 quantities, samples of the bark, root, herb, or other available material 

 should be submitted to reliable dealers in crude drugs to ascertain 

 the market requirements at the time and the prevailing prices. 



To persons without botanical training it is difficult to describe 

 plants in sufficient detail to make identification possible unless such 

 descriptions are accompanied by illustrations. It is the purpose of 

 this publication to assist those interested in collecting medicinal plants 

 to identify such plants and to furnish other useful information in 

 connection with the work. 



Washington, D. O. Issued July, 1930. 



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For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. - - - - - Price 30 cents 



