146 
PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
761. Sambucus glauca Nutt. California pale elder. Caprifoliacece. 
A popular household remedy. The Indians made many medicinal 
uses of the leaves and bark. The flowers are considered a very valuable 
diuretic and diaphoretic remedy. A decoction is much used for sores, 
sprains, ulcers, itch, skin diseases in general, to cheek hemorrhage, etc. 
The berries of this species are used much like those of Sambucus cana- 
densis. The abundant stem pith is used as a tinder with flint and 
steel. (Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herb. 7: 388.) 
762. Sapium sebiferum Roxb. Tallow tree. Euphorbiacece. 
Cultivated in California ; a native of Asia. The Chinese use the fat 
obtained from the seed for lighting purposes. (Pharm. Journ. Trans., 
401, 1883; 901, 1887.) 
763. Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncing Bet. Soapwort. Cary- 
ophyllacece. 
Said to be poisonous; contains saponin; used as a substitute for soap. . 
Plas been used as a substitute for sarsaparilla in the treatment of scrofu- 
lous diseases. 
764. Sarcodes sanguinea Torr. Snow plant. Ericacece. 
Found in the Sierras. Reported to be poisonous. The Indians of 
Montana and southern California use it to relieve toothache. The dried 
and powdered herb is made into a wash for the cure of ulcers, sore 
mouth, etc. Requires further study. 
765. Sarrecenia flava L. Pitcher plant. Carreceniacece. 
Used as a tonic, laxative and diuretic. Other species have similar 
properties and uses. Some grow in the open, others require glass 
covers. 
766. Sarsaparilla. (See Smilax.) 
767. Sassafras sassafras Salisb. Sassafras. Lauracece. 
A well-known medicinal plant which may be cultivated. 
768. Saxifraga species. Saxifragacece. 
There are native species and several introduced species are cultivated 
as ornamental plants. Some species contain berganin, which is said to 
l>e intermediate in action between salicylic acid and quinine. (Phar. 
Jour. Trans. Aug., 1888.) 
769. Saxifraga peltata Torr. Indian rhubarb. Saxifragacece. 
The Hupa Indians eat the stems. This, as well as other species, are 
quite rich in tannic and gallic acid. 
770. Schinus molle. Pepper tree. Anacardiacece. 
A native of South America. Extensively grown as an ornamental 
tree. All parts of the plant are pungent and spicy ; the odor recalling 
that of pepper. The fruit is about the size of the pepper and like the 
