The Description.

            1. The great Thalietrum or Bastard Rhubarb hath large leaves parted or divided into divers other small leaves somewhat snipped about the edges, of a black or dark green colour: the stalks are crested or streaked, of a purple colour, growing to the height of two cubits: at the top whereof grow many small and hairy white flowers, and after them come small narrow husks like little cods, four or five growing together: the root is yellow, long, round, and knotty, dispersing itself far abroad on the upper crust of the earth.

            2. The Small Bastard Rhubarb is very like unto the precedent, but that it is altogether lesser: his stalks are a span or a foot long: his leaves be thin and tender; the root fine and slender: the little flowers grow together in small bundles or tufts, of a light yellow colour, almost white, and are of a grievous savour.

            3. There is kept in some gardens a plant of this kind growing up with large stalks to the height of three cubits: the leaves are very like those of Columbines: the flowers are made of many white threads: it flowers in June, and is called Thalictrum maius hispanicum, Great Spanish Bastard Rhubarb.

The Place.

            These Plants do grow alongst the ditch sides leading from Kentish street unto Saint Thomas a-Waterings (the place of execution) on the right hand. They grow also upon the banks of the Thames, leading from Blackwall to Woolwich, near London, and in sundry other places also.

The Time.

            The flower for the most part in July and August.

The Names.

            Divers of the later herbarists do call it Pigamum, as though it were Rue; whereupon most call it Ruta palustris, or Fen Rue: others, Pseudo-Rhabarbarum, and Rhabarbarum monachorum, by reason of the yellow colour of the root. But neither of their judgements is greatly to be esteemed of: they judge better that would have it to be Thalictrum, which Dioscorides describeth to have leaves something flatter than those of Coriander; and the stalk like that of Rue, upon which the leaves do grow. Pena calleth it Thalictrum, Thalietrum, and Ruta pratensis: in English, Bastard Rhubarb, or English Rhubarb: which names are taken of the colour, and taste of the roots.

The Temperature.

            These herbs are hot and dry of complexion.

The Virtues.

            A. The leaves of Bastard Rhubarb with other pot-herbs do somewhat move the belly.

            B. The decoction of the root doth more effectually.

            C. Dioscorides saith, that the leaves being stamped do perfectly cure old ulcers. Galen addeth, that they dry without biting.