Fig. 778. Kinds of Small Sengreen (1-4)

The Description.

            1. The stalk of this small water Sengreen is some span long, reddish, succulent, and weak: the leaves are longish, a little rough, and full of juice: the flowers grow upon the tops of the stalks, consining of six purple or else flesh-coloured leaves; which are succeeded by as many little cods containing a small seed: the root is small and thready, and the whole plant hath an insipid or waterish taste. This was found by Clusius in some watery places of Germany about the end of June; and he calls it Sedum minus 3 sive palustre.

            2. This second from small fibrous and creeping roots sends up sundry little stalks set with leaves like those of the ordinary Prick-Madam, yet less, thick, and flatter, and of a more astringent taste: the flowers, which are pretty large, grow at the tops of the branches, and consist of five pale yellowish leaves. It grows in divers places of the Alps, and flowers about the end of July, and in August. This is the Sedum minus 6 or Alpinum 1 of Clusius.

            3. This hath small little and thick leaves, lying bedded, or compact close together, and are of an ash colour inclining to blue: the stalks are some two inches long, slender, and almost naked; upon which grow commonly some three flowers consisting of five white leaves apiece, with four yellow threads in the middle. This mightily increases, and will mat and cover the ground for a good space together. It flowers in August, and grows upon the craggy places of the Alps. Clusius calls it Sedum minus nonum, sive alpinum 3.

            4. The leaves of this are somewhat larger and longer, yet thick, and somewhat hairy about their edges; at first also of an acid taste, but afterwards bitterish and hot: it also sendeth forth shoots, and in the midst of the leaves it puts forth stalks some two inches high, which at the top as in an umbel carry some six little flowers consiting of five leaves apiece, having their bottoms of a yellowish colour. It is found in the like places, and flowers at the same time as the former. Clusius makes it his Sedum minus 10 alpinum 4 and in the Hist. Lugd. it is called Iasme montana.

Fig. 779. Long-Leaved Rock Sengreen (5)

            5. For those last described we are beholden to Clusius; and for this fifth to Pona, who thus describes it: It hath one thick and large root with few or no fibres, but form knots bunching out here and there: it is covered with a thick bark, and is of a blackish red colour on the outside: the leaves are many, long and narrow, lying spread upon the ground; the stalk grows four foot high, and is round and naked, and at the top carries flowers consisting of 7 sharp pointed pale yellow leaves; which are succeeded by seeds like those of Bupleurum, and of a strong smell. It flowers about the middle of July, and the seed is ripe about the middle of August. Pona, who first observed this growing upon Mount Baldus in ItaIy, sets it forth by the name of Sedum petræum bupleurifolio. Bauhin hath it by the name of Perfoliata alpina gramineo folio, and Bupleuron angustifolium alpinum.

The Temper and Virtues.

            The three first described without doubt are cold, and partake in virtues with the other small Sengreens; but the two last are rather of an hot and attenuating faculty. None of them are commmonly known or used in physic.