Fig. 1530. Fluxweed (1)

The Description.

            1. Fluxweed hath round and hard stalks, a cubit & a half high, whereon do grow leaves most finely cut and divided into innumerable fine jags, like those of the sea Wormwood called Seriphium, or Absinthium tenuifolium, but much finer and smaller, drawing near unto the smallest leaves of Corianders, of an overworn green colour: the flowers grow alongst the tops of the spriggy branches, of a dark yellow colour: after which come long cods full of small red seeds: the root is long, straight, and of a woody substance.

            2. The second sort differeth not from the precedent, saving that the leaves of this plant are broader, wherein especially consisteth the difference; notwithstanding in mine opinion Tabernamontanus found this second sort growing in some fertile place, whereby the leaves did grow broader and greater, which moved him to make of this a second sort, whereas in truth they are both but one and the self-same plant.

The Place.

            This Fluxweed groweth in most places of England, almost everywhere in the ruins of old buildings, by highways, and filthy obscure base places.

The Time.

            It flowereth and seedeth from June to the end of September.

The Names.

            Fluxweed is called Thalietrum; and of some, Thalictrum, but unproperly; for Thalictrum belongeth to English Rhubarb: the Paracelsians do vaunt and brag very much of an herb called Sophia, adding thereto the surname Paracelsi, wherewith they imagine to do wonders, whether this be the same plant it is disputable, the controversy not as yet decided; nevertheless we must be content to accept of this for the true Sophia, until some disciple or other of his do show or set forth the plant wherewith their master Paracelsus, did such great matters: in English we call it Fluxweed, of his faculty against the flux.

The Temperature.

            Sophia drieth without any manifest sharpness or heat.

The Virtues.

            A. The seed of Sophia or Fluxweed drunk with wine, or smith's water, stoppeth the bloody flux, the lask, and all other issues of blood.

            B. The herb bruised or put into unguents, closeth and healeth ulcers, or old sores and wounds, as Paracelsus saith, and that because it drieth without acrimony or sharpness.