Apoc) naceae-Borraginaceae. 183 
N. oleander, the true Oleander, differs from it in having broader 
leaves and larger, scentless flowers. 
Both species are poisonous ; the root is especially poisonous, but 
considered a remedy in skin diseases. From the root are obtained two 
bitter principals, known as Neriodorin, a substance soluble in chloro- 
form, and Neriodorein, a substance soluble in water but not in 
chloroform. Both are very powerful heart poisons. Overdoses of the 
roots cause tetanic symptoms, and in case of poisoning the heart action 
is greatly reduced. The flowers play a religious part among the 
natives of India who collect them as a sacred offering to Siva. 
BORRAGINACEAE 
Heliotrope Family. 
Besides the common Heliotrope, Heliotropium peruvianum Linn., 
the following trees are in cultivation. 
Cordia sebestena Linn. 
Foreign Kou. 
Cordia sebestena is a shrub or small tree with ovate, subcordate 
leaves which are scabrous on the upper surface and slightly pubes- 
cent underneath. The flowers are large orange or scarlet and borne 
in terminal cymes. The fruits are snow-white. 
It is a native of tropical America, but can quite often be found 
in cultivation. In Honolulu a few mature trees occur, as for exam- 
ple on Thomas Square and in private grounds on King Street. It is 
easily grown from seeds when the latter are quite fresh, and also 
from cuttings. 
Cordia myxa Linn. 
Cordia myxa is a small sized tree fifteen to thirty feet in height, 
and is nearly glabrous. The leaves are ovate or elliptical-ovate, 
entire and have a somewhat wavy margin. 
The inflorescence is corymbose and axillary, bearing very small, 
sessile, white or yellowish-white flowers. The drupe is fleshy, ovoid, 
yellowish-white and somewhat enclosed by the persistent and en- 
larged calyx. 
Cordia myxa is a native of India, extending also to Burmah and 
Malay. It is wild along the Himalayas and flowers in March and 
April. The fruit, which is very mucilaginous, is used medicinally, 
the mucilage being given in diseases of the chest and also as an as- 
tringent gargle. It is also employed as a laxative in bilious affec- 
tions, and the kernels are considered a remedy for ringworm. The 
