86 
PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
251. Cocos nucifera L. Coco nut palm. Palmce. 
Cultivated in warmer parts of the State. Promises to be a com- 
mercial success. 
252. Colchicum autumnale L. Colchicum. Meadow saffron. Coji- 
vallariacece. 
A well-known, poisonous medicinal plant, native of southern Europe, 
Switzerland, and Turkey. Extensively cultivated in Europe. Re- 
quires rich, moist soil, in the open. Easy of cultivation. The conns 
(tubers) are used, having decided diuretic, laxative and alterative 
properties; much used in rheumatism and gout. Poisonous. Value, 
thirty-five cents per pound. Seeds are also used. 
The corms are collected the second year, after seeds are ripe, 
washed, sliced, and dried in the sun. Seeds are collected when fully 
ripened. The present market is supplied from England and Germany. 
253. Coleosanthus californicus Kuntze. Brickellia. Compositce. 
Leaves used as a substitute for tea. (Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herb. 
7: (No. Ill) 393.) 
254. Collinsia bicolor Benth. Innocence. Collinsia. Scrophula- 
racece. 
Poultice of the leaves used for insect bites. A plant common 
throughout western California. 
255. Collomia gracilis Dougl. Polemoniacece. 
The seeds soaked in water give a highly mucilaginous, cooling 
drink, known by the Mexicans as “Chia.” (See paper by E. Palmer.) 
256. Colutea arborescens L. Bladder senna. Papilionacece. 
Cultivated as an ornamental shrub. The leaflets are purgative and 
used as a substitute for senna. 
257. Compositae. 
The following members of the family, besides many others having 
medicinal properties, are common : 
Arnica discoidea Benth. Coast Arnica. 
Arnica latifolia Bang. Arnica. 
Cichorium intybus L. Chicory. Introduced. 
Gnaphalium species. 
Helianthus annuus L. Common sunflower. 
Lactuca scariola L. Prickly lettuce. 
Sonchus oleraceus L. Sow thistle. 
Senecio vulgaris L. Common groundsel. 
Solidago species. Golden rod. 
Xanthium canadense Mill. Cocklebur. 
