88 
PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
266. Crateagus oxyacantha Gert. European Hawthorn. Rosacece. 
Introduced ; very common as an ornamental plant. Leaves, bark, 
flower and fruit have been used medicinally, principally as a cardiac 
tonic. (G. M. Beringer. Am. Journ. Pharm. 76 : 283-284, 1904.) 
The native Crateagus rivularis Nutt. (Thorn tree) is said to be poi- 
sonous (thorns of the stem). Fruit sometimes eaten by Indians. 
267. Crocus sativus L. Saffron. Iridacece. 
I am not aivare that this plant is actually grown, but it would cer- 
tainly thrive well in the State. Stigmas used as a coloring agent by 
baker and confectioner. Well known medicinally. Cultivated in 
Pennsylvania and New York. 
268. Crotalaria sagittalis L. Rattlebox. Papilionacece. 
South, central and eastern United States. Not definitely reported 
from California. Poisonous plant which requires further study. 
269. Croton californicum Mull. Euphorbiacece. 
A bitter tea is made from the leaves and used for rheumatism, and 
as a salve (powdered leaves and tallow). Purgative. 
270. Croton tiglium L. Croton oil plant. Euphorbiacece. 
This and other foreign species and varieties grow very readily in the 
southern part of the State and some of them are very common as orna- 
mental plants. Well-known medicinally. Poisonous. 
271. Cruciferae. Mustard family. 
The mustard family is well represented in the State. Many mem- 
bers occur as very troublesome weeds. Many species are naturalized, 
and others are native. Their medioinal, popular and household use is 
familiar to all. The following are the more important species : (Calif. 
Geol. Surv. Bot. 1:25.) 
Sisymbrium officinale Scop. Hedge mustard. 
Sisymbrium pinnatum Walt. Tansy mustard. 
Cakile americana Nutt. Sea rocket. 
Brassica campestris L. Common yellow mustard. 
Brassica arvensis L. Charlock. 
Brassica nigra L. Black mustard. 
Brassica alba Boiss. White mustard. 
Raphanus sativus L. Wild radish. 
Raphanus raphanistrum L. Jointed Charlock. 
Arabis virginica Trelease. Cress. 
Arabis glabra Beruh. Tower mustard. 
Arabis blepharophylla H. and A. Cress. 
Arabis breweri Wats. Brewer rock cress. 
Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Winter cress. 
