Ex-Classics Home Page

Gerard's Herbal Vol. 1

Gerard's Herbal V1 - CHAP. 69. Of Wild Cow-wheat.

CHAP. 69. Of Wild Cow-wheat.


Fig. 152. Wild Cow-wheat (1)            Fig. 153. Eyebright Cow-wheat (3)

The Description.

            1. The first kind of wild Cow-wheat Clusius in his Pannonic History calls Parietaria sylvestris, or wild Pellitory: which name, according to his own words, if it do not fitly answer the plant, he knoweth not what to call it, for that the Latins have not given any name thereunto: yet because some have so called it, he retaineth the same name. Notwithstanding he referreth it unto the kinds of Melampyrum, or Cow-wheat, or unto Cratæogonon, the wild Cow-wheat, which it doth very well answer in divers points. It hath an hairy four-square stalk, very tender, weak, and easy to break, nor able to stand upright without the help of his neighbours that dwell about him, a foot high or more; whereupon do grow long thin leaves, sharp pointed, and oftentimes lightly snipped about the edges, of a dark purplish colour, sometimes greenish, set by couples one opposite against the other; among the which come forth two flowers at one joint, long and hollow, somewhat gaping like the flowers of a Dead-nettle, at the first of a pale yellow, and after of a bright golden colour; which do flower by degrees, first a few, and then more, by means whereof it is long in flowering. Which being past, there succeed small cups or seed vessels wherein is contained brown seed not unlike to wheat. The whole plant is hairy, not differing from the plant Stichwort.

            2. Red-leaved wild Cow-wheat is like unto the former, sauing that the leaves be narrower, and the tuft of leaves more jagged. The stalks and leaves are of a reddish horse-flesh colour. The flowers in form are like the other, but in colour differing; for that the hollow part of the flower with the heel or spur is of a purple colour, the rest of the flower yellow. The seed and vessels are like the precedent.

            3. This kind of wild Cow-wheat Tabernamontanus hath set forth under the title of Odontites: others have taken it to be a kind of Euphrasia or Eyebright, because it doth in some sort resemble it, especially in his flowers. The stalks of this plant are small, woody, rough, and square. The leaves are indented about the edges, sharp pointed, and in most points resembling the former Cow-wheat; so that of necessity it must be of the same kind, and not a kind of Eyebright, as hath been set down by some.

The Place.

            These wild kinds of Cow-wheat do grow commonly in fertile pastures, and bushy copses, or low woods, and among bushes upon barren heaths and such like places.

            The two first do grow upon Hampstead Heath near London, among the Juniper bushes and bilberry bushes in all the parts of the said heath, and in every part of England where I have travelled.

The Time.

            They flower from the beginning of May, to the end of August.

The Names.

            The first is called of Lobel, Cratæogonon: and of Tabernamontanus, Milium Sylvaticum, or Wood Millet, and Alsine sylvatica, or Wood Chickweed.

            2. The second hath the same titles: in English, Wild Cow-wheat.

            3. The last is called by Tabernamontanus, Odontites: of Dodonæus, Euphrasia altera, and Euphrosine. Hippocrates called the wild Cow-wheat, Polycarpum, and Polycritum.

The Nature and Virtues.

            There is not much set down either of the nature or virtues of these plants: only it is reported that the seeds do cause giddiness and drunkenness as Darnel doth.

            The seed of Cratæogonon made in fine powder, and given in broth or otherwise, mightily provoketh venery.

            Some write, that it will likewise cause women to bring forth male children.

            See the virtues attributed to Cratæogonon by Dioscorides before, Chap. 38. B.

Prev Next

Back to Introduction