YAUPON, see Holly.
YELLOW JASMINE (Gelsemium sempervirens).
The yellow jasmine is a well-known poisonous climbing vine common to
the Southern States from Virginia to Florida and west to Mexico. Its
yellow flowers, in short axillary clusters, appear in early spring
(February and March) and are very fragrant. The vine climbs over trees
to a great height, often 30 feet or more. It yields pollen and probably
some nectar. It is reported as poisonous to the bees.
“For the past nine years I have observed, commencing with the opening
of the yellow jasmine flowers, a very fatal disease attacking the
young bees and continuing until the cessation of the bloom. The
malady would then cease as quickly as it came. The symptoms of the
poisoning are: The abdomen becomes very much distended, and the bees
act as though intoxicated. There is great loss of muscular power.
The bee, unless too far gone, slowly crawls out of the hive and very
soon expires. The deaths in twenty-four hours, in strong stocks with
much hatching brood, may amount to one-half pint, often much more. My
observations have been verified by dozens of intelligent beekeepers
breeding pure Italians where =Gelsemium= abounds.”--Dr. J. P. H.
Brown, American Bee Journal, Nov., 1879.
As to the effect on animals poisoned by the plant we quote Pammel as
follows:
“Dr. Winslow gives the toxicological effect on animals as follows:
Muscular weakness, especially in the forelegs, staggering gait and
falling. These symptoms are followed by convulsive movements of the
head, forelegs and sometimes of the hindlegs. The respiration is
slow and feeble, temperature reduced, and there is sweating. Death
occurs because of respiratory failure.”--Manual of Poisonous Plants.
With reference to the condition described by Dr. Brown, the matter was
referred to T. W. Livingston, of Leslie, Georgia, who writes as follows:
“I have for many years noticed the disease described. I have seen the
same disease where there was no yellow jasmine, that I knew of, but
much more of it where that plant was plentiful. It may be caused by
it. It was told several years ago by the Florida State Chemist, who
had analyzed a sample of honey reported as poisoning some people,
that the honey contained pollen grains from yellow jasmine.”--March
13, 1919.
YELLOW POPLAR, see Tulip Tree.
YELLOW STAR THISTLE, see Star Thistle.
YELLOW-TOPS, see Tarweed.
[Illustration: Fig. 150. Blossoms of the yellow-wood.]
YELLOW WOOD (Cladrastis lutea).
The yellow wood is a tree confined to a limited range. It is found
principally in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. While it may
occur to some extent in the States adjoining the three mentioned, it
is rare, except in very limited areas. It is recorded as occurring on
shaded bluffs in the Tennessee Valley in Alabama, and may be looked for
in similar situations in Mississippi, Georgia or South Carolina. The
flowers are white, as may be seen from Figure 150, and appear in April
and May. The panicles are sometimes a foot long. According to the notes
furnished by J. M. Buchanan, the honey has a strong, distinctive flavor
and is light amber in color.
The wood is heavy and hard and yields a yellow dye. It is known also as
Kentucky yellow wood and gopher wood.
YERBA BUENA (Micromeria chamissonis).
Yerba buena is a trailing perennial herb with slender stem and small,
white, solitary flowers. Jepson gives the range as common in woods near
the coast: Humboldt County, Marin County, Berkeley, San Francisco,
Belmont, Monterey and southward to southern California.
Richter states that it is considered a fair honey plant in places.
YERBA DEL PESCADO, see Turkey Mullein.
YERBA SANTA (Eriodictyon trichocalyx).
Yerba santa is a low shrub common to some parts of California. Richter
lists it as important in Ventura County, where it frequently yields
surplus, blooming in June and July.
[Illustration: Fig. 151. Yucca filamentosa on the lawn of the late
Eugene Secor.]