PIIARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
129 
with the prevailing coolness of the atmosphere. The date palm thrives 
as far north as San Francisco, but bears edible, well-ripened fruit only 
in the southern part of the State. 
615. Panax (Aralia) quinquefolium D. and C. Ginseng. Ameri- 
can ginseng. Araliacece. 
Native of North America closely related to the Chinese ginseng 
(Aralia ginseng). Medicinally of very little value, but very valuable 
commercially. Used largely by the Chinese, who look upon it as a uni- 
versal panacea. The wild growing ginseng is becoming scarce. Very 
extensively cultivated in different parts of the United States. There 
is a plantation at Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and in other parts of Cali- 
fornia. 
The plant requires shade (either natural or artificial) and a moist, 
rich soil. From time of seeding it takes about four or five yeai’s before 
root gathering is begun. Clean, large, unbroken, forked roots bring 
a good price. Specimens resembling the human form bring high prices. 
Market value variable, ranging from seventy-five cents to fourteen dol- 
lars per pound. California market good. Culture requires care. 
616. Papaver somniferum L. Poppy. Papaveracece. 
Cultivated everywhere, largely as an ornamental plant. In England 
also for the fruits and seeds. Experiments should be made to deter- 
mine whether or not it is possible to secure the opium in some cheap 
and simple way. Until this is accomplished it will be impossible to 
cultivate the poppy profitably for the yield of opium, in the United 
States or any other civilized country. 
The quality of opium from the poppy grown in California, has proven 
first-class. (J. H. Flint, American Journal of Pharmacy, 46: 105, 
1874.) The same may be said of opium from other States of the Union. 
(Am. Journ. Pharm., 286, 1894; 435, 1896). 
617. Parthenium argentatum Gray. Mexican rubber plant. Com- 
pos itce. 
A shrubby plant, native of Mexico, which is not reported from the 
State, but which would undoubtedly thrive on the dry hills of south- 
ern California. This plant contains a resin used medicinally by the 
Mexicans. The plant has come into prominence through the fact that 
it contains a high percentage of rubber (thirty to fifty per cent). A 
syndicate has secured possession of all plants about Torreon, Mexico, 
where it is most abundant. The rubber obtained from this plant is of 
fair quality, and is said to be exported very largely. Whether this 
plant can he cultivated readily is a matter which must be determined 
experimentally. Efforts to secure seed and living plants have thus far 
failed. 
9 — BF 
