Fig. 1365. Herb Robert

The Description.

            Herb Robert bringeth forth slender weak and brittle stalks, somewhat hairy, and of a reddish colour, as are oftentimes the leaves also, which are jagged and deeply cut, like unto those of Chervil, of a most loathsome stinking smell. The flowers are of a most bright purple colour; which being past, there follow certain small heads, with sharp beaks or bills like those of birds: the root is small and thready.

The Place.

            Herb Robert groweth upon old walls, as well those made of brick and stone, as those of mud or earth: it groweth likewise among rubbish, the bodies of trees that are cut down; and in moist and shadowy ditch banks.

The Time.

            It flowereth from April till summer be almost spent: the herb is green in winter also, and is hardly hurt with cold.

The Names.

            It is called in high Dutch, Ruprechts kraut: in low Dutch, Robrechts kruit: and thereupon it is named in Latin, Ruberta, and Roberti herba: Ruellius calleth it Robertiana, and we, Robertianum: of Tabernamontanus, Rupertianum: in English, Herb Robert. He that conferreth this Crane's-Bill with Dioscorides his third Sideritis shall plainly perceive, that they are both one, and that this is most apparently Sideritis 3. Dioscoridis; for Dioscorides setteth down three Sideritides, one with the leaf of Horehound, the next with the leaf of Fern; and the third groweth in walls and vineyards: the native soil of Herb Robert agree thereunto, and likewise the leaves, being like unto Chervil, and not unlike to those of Corianders, according to Dioscorides' description.

The Temperature.

Herb Robert is of temperature somewhat cold: and yet both scouring and somewhat binding, participating of mixed faculties.

The Virtues.

            A. It is good for wounds and ulcers of the dugs & secret parts; it is thought to stanch blood, which thing Dioscorides doth attribute to his third Sideritis: the virtue of this, saith he, is applied to heal up bloody wounds.