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Herbarium: Medicinal Plants as Information Worthy Worts: Comprehensive Comparison of the Histories, Structures, and Therapeutic Uses of Plants in the Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae Families In order to better understand the “worts'” categorization, an analysis of the plants within the Scrophulariaceae family (Scrophularia californica, Scrophularia scorodonia, and Galvezia juncea) and two plants within the Asteraceae family (Artemisia douglasiana and Artemisia campestris) was conducted. Through research thus far, it was found that these aforementioned plants share structural similarities in terms of aspects that include venation of the leaves. The most prominent common denominator of the wort category is that they all have therapeutic uses. Among the historical therapeutic uses found in the literature are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant uses. These benefits have been utilized from societies ranging from the American Indians to the Europeans. -By Chris Leung, Catly Do, Fady Tawfik, and Sean Jamali. Exploring the Sages: Medicinal Properties and Appearances of Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana Both plants Artemisia Californica and Salvia apiana under the category of sages play important roles in maintaining the growth of their local ecosystems with similar habitats, medicinal properties, and flowering appearances during the times of collection. However, they also share important differences in their flowering and growth patterns as well as the active agents used for their medicinal properties. In analyzing the similarities and differences between these two plants regarding appearances, climate, medicinal properties, and growth patterns, the similarities in how they are able to provide and support their local ecosystems is the big picture idea that can be understood. - By Stephanie Bottomley, Rasika Obla, Tony Ong, and Balpreet Sond. Tea Time: Exploring the Medicinal Properties of Bark-Use Plants from a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Context This page discusses three different plants that contain significant medicinal properties in their bark and have been historically used by indigenous communities throughout North America: Populus tremuloides, Frangula californica subsp. californica, and Amelanchier alnifolia. These species will be compared on a global scale by examining the bark-based applications of two related species from Africa and East Asia: Dovyalis caffra and Rhaphiolepis umbellata. Despite their phenotypic differences and the differences in their medicinal properties, all five of these plants have been used to help relieve symptoms of communicable and chronic diseases through the direct digestion of tea like remedies made from the boiled bark of these plants. -By Saja Zidan, Maha Ulhaq, Kate Santoso, Gillian, Miller, Anna Jovin, and Luc Lorain The History, Comparison, and Analysis of Parasitic Plants Our project presents the process of collecting and researching the special characteristics of parasitic plants. We explore each plant's respective medical practices and compare them to epiphytic plants that are similar to our original plants of interest. In each project, we individually explain how the plants were collected, identified, translated, and classified. The contextual reasons behind this process are also presented and connected to the general unique characteristics of parasitic plants. Each page provides a collection of media images that visually represent the main plant of interest, the epiphytic plant, the historical materia medica image, and the individual journal observations that we made of our respective plants. We offer comparative analysis and highlight important parts of each specimen throughout these photos. - By Khang Vo, Jessica McLaughlin, Alastair Sterns, and Dania Alkoraishi Combating Coughs: The Respiratory Remedies across North America Bioprospecting and the application of materia medica have played central roles in the remedy of physical ailments in humans throughout history. From ancient cultures utilizing extracts from leaves and roots to modern medicinal practices extracting medicinal properties from plants to put into pills and other therapies, materia medica has and remains a relevant and growing practice. Here, we examine various plants from North America and their varied characteristics, though they share similar medicinal properties.- By Raymond Ko, Mari Williams, Elizabeth Pham, Julia Tang, Cienna Henry Milton, and Emma Barrall Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata The following research studies common properties of plants used as potential antiseptic medicinal use. Explained more in depth later on, the first page introduces the plant Coptis trifolia, and its common characteristics with a similar plant, Thalictrum fendleri. The second page studies Larrea Tridentata found at the UCLA Herbarium and its living species at the UCLA Botanical Garden. The pages also examine other species found at the UCLA Botanical Garden, with references of possible characteristics which may allude to the specificity and uniqueness of the plants and objects. These three species studied share a common use as an antiseptic. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, Mariah Ghodrat, Madeline Huttie, and Liam Kordmahale-Izaddoust Plant Specimen and their Alias : Exploring the Identity of Plants with Animal in the Name Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, both plant species with an animal in their name, were explored for their characteristics and relationship to their respective animals. Through extensive research, we deduce several similarities and differences between our plants that led us to an understanding of why each plant earned their colloquial name, or alias. Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, alias Wolfberry and Smooth Horsetail, respectively, have several commonalities and differences to their corresponding animal including physical and character traits as well as their medicinal qualities. Images, observations and outside research portray the many queries and answers to their common name. By Frieda Anastopulos, Alexa Hernandez, Denise Llera, Chelsea Okoro, Grace Randall Precious Polygonaceae: Insight into the Historical Collection and Therapeutic Uses of Polygonum, Eriogonum, and Rumex Genera This comparative analysis took to exploring six species under the Polygonaceae plant family, half of which are housed in the UCLA Herbarium and half of which are located in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA. Although they shared a meaningful commonality, these plants fell under a total of three genuses, which seems to explain their differences in morphology - as observed in the physical herbarium specimen sheets and the botanical garden visit - and utility, as unveiled by various Materia Medica entries. However, with an understanding of both historical and modern collection processes, this analysis also postulated that such differences could relate to how these plants were collected and their associated metadata. - By Moryel Yashar, Lexie Baughman, Nicole Cohen, Yair Tabibi, Tabetha Sanchez, and Leah Tabibi Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica are medicinal plants that have been found to contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenol compounds. These compounds are known to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system by primarily targeting systolic hypertension. Plant extracts and their derivatives ameliorate oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension associated with cardiovascular disease. This association is due to the characteristics of anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and antiviral activity within the specimen. These medicinal outcomes are elicited to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Overall, Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica play a crucial role in cardioprotective effects and health benefits. - By Salma Fawzi, Anaeli Guzman, Rere Huang, Lilliane Martin, Isabel Nakoud, and Sriha Srinivasan A History and Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants vary wildly among cultures around the world, and proper identification, collections, and bioprospecting of these plants expand upon modern medicine and provide new possibilities of drugs. Exploration of historical materia medica, preserved herbarium specimens, and observation of plants both in adaptations and chosen environment allow for the discovery of new medical leads. Three plants in particular, Eclipta prostrata, Astragalus nuttallii var. Nuttallii, and Sambucus canadensis, have historically been documented and used in medicine for their antiviral properties. Through the process of observation as well as investigation of historic cultural uses, much can be learned about these medicinal plants that carry these critical properties. - By Allison Wang, Joanne Kwak, Nina Do, Nicolo Villasis, Sabrina Huang, and Hamza Mojadidi

Prunus avium

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Where the Prunus Paths Converge A look at plants to treat coughs reveals the highly variable species, Prunus. Over the past several weeks, we have taken an in-depth look at three different Prunus species collected and studied in three different contexts, each revealing characteristics that solidify distinct Prunus features. First, we looked at an herbarium specimen from the UCLA Herbarium, collected from Dr. Cora King’s archive. This specimen showed a preserved specimen of the Prunus virginiana species. Next, we observed the Prunus campanulata species, alive, growing, and blossoming in the UCLA Botanical Garden. Finally, we observed historical records of Materia Medica from a lithographic print from 1856 portraying Prunus avium. - By Mari Williams and Raymond Ko
Though all members of the same genus, Prunus virginiana, Prunus campanulata, and Prunus avium each have distinct physical characteristics that distinguish one from the other. However, between the three species of Prunus, several key features such as the flowers and fruits draw parallels between each plant and reveal similar potential dietary and medicinal uses.

To begin, Prunus virginiana was collected digitally from the UCLA Herbarium archive. The metadata stored in the specimen contained information explaining several notable characteristics. Based on the metadata displayed on the image, the plant was collected by Cora Smith King on May 4, 1913 and identified by Agnes Chase, a plant expert at the Smithsonian. The plant was classified as the Prunus virginiana L. in the Rosaceae family. The metadata shows that the collector georeferenced a point at the Cabin John Bridge Aqueduct. The collector could identify this plant as a member of the Rosaceae family, as the flowers are radially symmetrical and display numerous stamens, commonly bearing clusters of small flowers. Prunus virginiana is a shrub with an irregularly shaped crown and with numerous, slender stems. Its leaves are dark green, with a glossy texture on top and a paler color on the bottom, and serrated edges. The plant has perfect flowers, which are aromatic and arranged cylindrically. The fruits range in size and color, but usually in the range of dark red or purple to nearly black. When collected, Cora Smith King must have taken all of these characteristics and factors into account before classifying her sample as Prunus virginiana. They could compare the characteristics of the Prunus virginiana to a catalog of collected plants belonging to Prunus and more largely the Rosaceae family, helping them classify the plant. The Prunus virginiana is found across the northern US and Canada, and had a history of being cultivated as food and medical supply.

The specimen of Prunus campanulata, found in the north-central part of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on a hillside directly next to the creek, is surrounded by other Rosaceae taxa. The specimen is a classic example of a cherry blossom tree, with tall, slender branches covered in bright pink symmetrical flowers. While different colors, the flowers bear striking similarities to the blossoms of the Prunus virginiana, marking a family resemblance. In summer, the tree develops small cherry fruits, edible but more useful for the mild astringent properties. Its common name is the Taiwan Flowering Cherry tree, and as suggested by that name, is native to Taiwan and Southern China.

The specimen of Prunus avium is depicted in a lithographic print created by Henry Humphreys. The image found is an illustrated depiction of 3 close relatives of the Prunus virginiana. The plants are shown with wide, pointed leaves, as well as white flowering stems and cherry-like fruit. While there are 3 distinct plants in the image, they share similarly sized symmetrical flowers and leaves, though different shaped fruit. We can see the distinctive elliptical leaves with serrated edges, as well as the way the leaves also yellow in different seasons. Colloquially referred to as the wild cherry, the trees are found mainly in Europe and were historically used as wood sources and to attract pollinators to agricultural fields.

This family of plants are used in varying ways as both food and medicine. The chokecherry was used in a variety of ways among Native American tribes to treat a wide array of problems. Boiled bark infusions are used to treat respiratory issues and fevers. The hydrocyanic acid from the berries is used in small doses as digestion, breathing, and pain relieving aids. Chokeberry tea is used for labor pain as well. These active ingredients are used in various forms to treat diarrhea. In addition, the plant is steeped in rice wine tonic and used as a digestive tincture before meals. Prunus avium and Prunus campanulata are less documented with medicinal uses, but all cherry fruits contain toxins that, in small doses, are used to treat respiratory issues and aid digestion. The cherries of all three trees are astringent but edible, and contain toxic seeds. The fruit stalks of the Prunus avium are used for respiratory stimulation, though the seeds are noted to be especially poisonous.

Below is a side-by-side of all three species, as well as an illustrated journal page and collected plants from around the UCLA Botanical garden.

WORKS CITED
Crowder, Wayne, Wayne A Greyer, and Patrick J Broyles. “Home | NRCS.” Chokecherry Prunus virginiana L. United States Department of Agriculture, April 2003. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/kspmcpg5596.pdf.