PI-IARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
95 
320. Echinocactus polycephalus E. and B. Devil’s pincushion. 
Cactacece. 
Seeds used as food by the Indians. Spines are used for needles. 
321. Echincystis (Micrampelis, Megarrhiza) fabacea Naud. Wild 
cucumber. Big root. Cucurbitaccce . 
Common in sandy soil. An oil expressed from the roasted leaves 
has been used to promote the growth of hair. Roots rich in starch 
and contain an acrid principle having purgative properties similar 
to those of jalap. 
322. Echinocystis marah Cogn. Bitter root. Big root. Man root. 
Chili cajote. Cucurbitaccce . 
Closely related to E. fabacea. The enormous, tuberous roots, weigh- 
ing from thirty to one hundred pounds, contain starch and an acrid 
poison having drastic purgative properties. The seeds and roots are 
used as a popular medicine in the treatment of rheumatism and ven- 
ereal diseases. Used in the manufacture of a California “bitters.” 
The medicinal properties of this plant are well worthy of more care- 
ful study. The abundant root starch could no doubt be used com- 
mercially. The stems and leaves are said to be inert. 
323. Elastica. India rubber. From various plants. 
Many rubber-yielding plants thrive in California, some of which 
could no doubt be grown profitably. Attempts are being made to 
secure seeds and living plants of Parthenium argentatum, the Mex- 
ican rubber plant, which is very rich in rubber. (Pacific Druggist, 
March. 1905, p. 14.) Rubber is also obtained from several species of 
milkweed. Rubber plant culture in the State of California is well 
worthy of careful consideration. 
324. Elymus species. Rye grass. Graminece. 
Used by the Indians as a mechanical counter-irritant in the treat- 
ment of granulated eyelid. The leaf is broken oft' and held by both 
hands, is drawn, apex forward, over the granulated lid. This also 
acts as a. cleansing agent. Action purely mechanical, due to the 
spicules of silica of the marginal epidermal cells. 
325. Ephedra antisyphilitica Wats. Mountain rush. Gnetacece.. 
This plant is not reported from the State. A decoction of the stems 
is much used in the treatment of gonorrhea. The plant evidently 
contains a tannin-like glucosid, eplieclrin. It requires careful study. 
(U. S. Geol. Surv., Wheeler’s Rep. Bot. 6: 50, 611.) 
326. Ephedra californica Wats. Gnetacece. 
Decoctions (tea) of stems used by Indians and Spaniards as a tonic 
and blood purifier and in venereal diseases. (Calif. Geol. Surv. Bot. 
2 : 108 .) 
