Fig. 525. Stinking Orach

The Description.

            Stinking Orach grows flat upon the ground and is a base and low plant with many weak and feeble branches, whereupon do grow small leaves of a grayish colour, sprinkled over with a certain kind of dusty mealiness, in shape like the leaves of Basil: amongst which leaves here and there confusedly be the seeds dispersed, as it were nothing but dust or ashes: The whole plant is of a most loathsome savour or smell; upon which plant if any should chance to rest and sleep, he might very well report to his friends, that he had reposed himself among the chief of Scoggin's heirs.

The Place.

            It groweth upon dunghills, and in the most filthy places that may be found, as also about the common pissing places of great princes' and noblemen's houses. Sometime it is found in places near brick kilns and old walls, which doth somewhat alter his smell, which is like toasted cheese: but that which groweth in his natural place smells like stinking salt-fish, whereof it took his name.

The Time

            It is an herb for a year, which Garosmus springeth up, and when the seed is ripe it perisheth, and recovereth itself again of his own seed; so that if it be gotten into a ground, it cannot be destroyed.

The Names

            Stinking Orach is called of Cordus, Garosmus, because it smelleth like stinking fish: it is likewise called Tragium germanicum, and Atriplex fœtidagarum olens, by Pena and Lobel: for it smelleth more stinking than the rammish male goat: whereupon some by a figure have called it Vulvaria: and it may be called in English, stinking Mother-Wort.

The Nature and Virtues.

            There hath been little or nothing set down by the ancients, either of his nature or virtues, notwithstanding it hath been thought profitable, by reason of his stinking smell for such as are troubled with the mother: for as Hypocrates saith, when the mother doth stifle or strangle, such things are to be applied unto the nose as have a rank and stinking smell.