120 
PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
part of the State. The large tuberous roots are rich in starch (cassava 
starch). (U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers’ Bui. No. 167, 1903.) 
532. Maranta species. Maranta. Arrowroot. Scitaminece. 
Common in conservatories. Also cultivated in the open in southern 
California. Yields starch (maranta starch.) 
533. Marrubium vulgare L. Hoarhound. Labiatce. 
A very common weed along roadsides and in neglected dry fields. 
A well-known medicinal plant, which can be grown without any diffi- 
culty whatever. Whites as well as Indians use a leaf decoction for 
coughs and colds and to check diarrhoea. Used in cough drops and 
confections. 
534. Matricaria chamomilla L. Chamomile. Composite e. 
An old-time popular medicinal pot herb, easy of cultivation, and 
enjoying wide popular use as a tonic and diaphoretic, in the form of 
a tea. Especially popular among the Germans. 
535. Matricaria discoidea D. C. Manzanilla. Chamomile. La- 
biatce. 
A fragrant native herb, common along walks and roadsides. A very 
popular domestic remedy, used as a tonic diaphoretic and to check diar- 
rhoea ; given in colic, especially in stomach and bowel complaints of chil- 
dren. Could be grown profitably and would no doubt displace the 
foreign species. (Calif. Geol. Surv. Bot. 1: 401) (Contrib. U. S. Nat. 
Herb. 7 : No. 3, 395.) 
536. Megarrhiza. (See Micrampelis. ) 
537. Melia azedarach L. Pride of India. Meliacece. 
A handsome tree from Persia and India, extensively cultivated in 
parks, etc., as an ornamental plant. The seeds are rich in oil. The 
bark decoction is said to have cathartic, emetic and narcotic properties. 
The bark is used as an anthelmintic, particularly in the southern states. 
538. Melilotus alba Lam. White sweet clover. Papilionacece. 
A European plant which has become disseminated throughout the 
United States with marvelous rapidity. The white flowers are fragrant 
and are used to scent tobacco, cheese, clothing, etc., in sachet powders, 
to keep away moths, etc. It is used medicinally. 
539. Melilotus officinalis L. Yellow sweet clover. Papilionacece. 
Well known medicinally. Contains cumarin. Found everywhere, 
though less abundant than M. alba. 
540. Melissa officinalis L. Balm. Labiatce. 
Well-known medicinal herb found almost everywhere; naturalized 
in places. Readily cultivated. A popular honey bee plant. 
