CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

CORAL WORT

Names. It is also called by some tooth-wort, toothed violet, dog-teeth violet, and dentaris.

Description. Of the many sorts of this herb, two of them may be found growing in this kingdom; the first of which shooteth forth one or two winged leaves upon long brownish footstalks, which are doubled down at their first coming out of the ground: when they are fully opened they consist of seven leaves, most commonly of a sad-green colour, dented about the edges, set on both sides the middle rib one against another, like the leaves of the ash-tree; the stalk beareth no leaves on the lower half of it, the upper half beareth sometimes three or four, each consisting of five leaves, sometimes but of three; on the top stand four or five flowers upon short footstalks, with long husks; the flowers are very like the flowers of stock gilli-flower, of a pale purplish colour, consisting of four leaves apiece, after which come small pods which contain the seed; the root is very smooth, white, and shining; it doth not grow downwards, but creeping along under the upper crust of the ground, and consisteth of divers small round knobs, set together: towards the top of the stalk there grow small single leaves, by each of which cometh a small round cloven bulb, which when it is ripe, if it be set in the ground, it will grow to be a root, and is esteemed a good way of cultivating the herb.

As for the other coral-wort, which groweth in this nation, it is more scarce than this, being a very small plant, not much unlike crowfoot, therefore some think it to be one of the sorts of crowfoot. I know not where to direct you to it, therefore I shall forbear the description.

Place. The first groweth near Mayfield in Sussex, in a wood called High-reed, and in another wood there also, called Fox-holes.

Time. They flower from the latter end of April to the middle of May, and before the middle of July they are gone and not to be found.

Government and virtues. It is under the dominion of the Moon. It cleanseth the bladder and provoketh urine, expels gravel and the stone, it easeth pains in the sides and bowels, it is excellent good for inward wounds, especially such as are made in the breast or lungs, by taking a drachm of the powder of the root every morning in wine; the same is excellent good for ruptures, as also to stop fluxes: an ointment made of it is exceeding good for wounds and ulcers, for it soon drieth up the watery humour which hinders the cure.