6 
PIIAEMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
valleys of middle and southern California, the vegetation presents a 
tropical aspect, due to the palms, cycads, yuccas, aloes, century plants, 
magnolias, figs, banana plants, lemons, limes, oranges, carobs, olives, 
eucalypti, and other plants, which are not found in the open in the 
central, eastern, and northern United States. Wild oats, wild rye, and 
other grasses are common and cause the prompt green coloration of hill- 
sides within a few weeks after the first heavy rainfalls in the autumn. 
Among the native trees are the incomparable giant sequoias, the tall 
pines, and the enormous gnarled oaks. The multitude of varieties of 
introduced eucalypti and acacias form the striking feature of the Cali- 
fornia arboreal flora. Many remarkable foreign plants have become 
well established, as the gingkos, casuarinas, tree ferns, araucarias, 
palms, cycads, pepper trees, and others. Plants which in the East are 
known only as small herbs here assume tree-like proportions, as the 
hydrangeas, fuchsias, geraniums, the lemon verbenas, and others. Ever- 
green trees predominate, though such deciduous trees as the cherry, 
apple, plum, poplar, maple, walnut, hickory, and many others do well 
and are extensively cultivated. Most of the subtropical plants are from 
Australia, southern Europe, and Mexico; many are now being intro- 
duced from China, Japan, and the Philippines. Some are from South 
America, the West Indies, Italy, and Spain, with stragglers from other 
tropical and subtropical countries. Under cultivation, with suitable 
soil and drainage, the vegetation grows with remarkable rapidity and 
luxuriance. Some plants will not thrive well because of the prevailing 
cool nights, as Indian corn, cotton, and sugar cane, although these 
plants are grown quite successfully and profitably in certain localities. 
Cotton, for example, does well in the Imperial Valley region. 
With a flora so remarkable and varied, it is reasonable to expect the 
presence of a comparatively large number of plants which have, or may 
have, medicinal value. This will be borne out by the list of medicinal 
plants reported from the State. Aromatic, fragrant, and spicy fruits, 
trees, grasses, and herbs are abundant. The medicinal uses of many 
have been ascertained through the Indians, early Spanish missionaries 
and settlers. 
3. California Dealers in Vegetable Drugs.— In order to ascertain 
certain facts with regard to the commerce in California vegetable drugs, 
a letter was addressed to the leading wholesale drug houses in San Fran- 
cisco, asking for a list of vegetable drugs which were obtained from the 
State. Prompt replies were received and with one exception the follow- 
ing are the drugs secured from the State which were offered for sale at 
regular market value: Cascara sagrada , Yerba santa, Yerba buena, 
Berberis aquifolium, Grindelia robusta, Angelica root, Absinthium, 
