Gerard's Herbal - Part 2
Fig. 554. Enchanter's or Bindweed Nightshade
The Description.
Enchanter's or Bindweed Nightshade hath leaves like to Petty-Morel, sharp at the point like unto Spinach: the stalk is straight and upright, very brittle, two foot high: the flowers are white tending to carnation, with certain small brown chives in the midst: the seed is contained in small round bullets, rough and very hairy. The roots are tough, and many in number, thrusting themselves deep into the ground, and dispersing far abroad; whereby it doth greatly increase, insomuch that when it hath once taken fast rooting, it can hardly with great labour be rooted out or destroyed.
The Place
It groweth in obscure and dark places, about dung-hills, and in untoiled grounds, by pathways and such like.
The Time.
It flourisheth from June to the end of September.
The Names.
It is called of Lobel, Circĉa lutetiana: in English, Enchanter's Nightshade, or Bindweed Nightshade.
The Nature and Virtues.
There is no use of this herb either in physic or surgery that I can read of; which hath happened by the corruption of time and the error of some who have taken Mandragoras for Circĉa; in which error they have still persisted unto this day, attributing unto Circĉa the virtues of Mandragora; by which means there hath not any thing been laid of the true Circĉa, by reason, as I have said, that Mandragora hath been called Circĉa: but doubtless it hath the virtue of Garden Nightshade, and may serve in stead thereof without error.
