The Description.

The Black Alder tree bringeth forth from the root straight stalks divided into divers branches: the outward bark whereof is black, and that next to the wood yellow, and giveth a colour as yellow as saffron: the substance of the wood is white and brittle, with a reddish pith in the midst: the leaves be like those of the Alder tree, or of the Cherry tree, yet blacker, and a little rounder: the flowers be somewhat white: the fruit are round berries, in which appear a certain rift or chink, as though two were joined together, at the first green, afterwards red, and last of all black: in this there be two little stones: the root runneth along in the earth.

The Place.

The Alder tree groweth in moist woods and copses: I found great plenty of it in a wood a mile from Islington, in the way from thence toward a small village called Hornsey, lying upon the right hand of the way; and in the woods at Hampstead near London, and in most woods in the parts about London.

The Time.

The leaves and flowers appear in the beginning of the spring; and the berries in autumn.

The Names.

This shrub is called Alnus nigra, or black Alder: and by others, Frangula: Petrus Crescentius nameth it Avornus: in Low Dutch, Sparkenhout, and oftentimes Pijlhout, because boys make for themselves arrows hereof: in High Dutch, Faulbaum; it is called in English, Black Alder tree; and of divers Butchers' Prick tree.

The Temperature.

The inner bark of the black Alder tree is of a purging and dry quality.

The Virtues.

A. The inner bark hereof is used of divers countrymen, who drink the infusion thereof when they would be purged: it purgeth thick phlegmatic humours, and also choleric, and not only by the stool, but many times also by vomit, not without great trouble and pain to the stomach: it is therefore a medicine more fit for clowns than for civil people, and rather for those that feed grossly, than for dainty people.

B. There be others who affirm that the dried bark is more gentle, and causeth lesser pain: for the green bark (say they) which is not yet dried containeth in it a certain superfluous moisture which causeth gripings and vomitings, and troubles the stomach.

C. The same bark being boiled in wine or vinegar makes a lotion for the toothache; and is commended against scabs and filthiness of the skin.

D. The leaves are reported to be good fodder for cattle, especially for kine, and to cause them to yield good store of milk.