Chap. 075. Bishops-Weed Forein.

Botanical name: 
Trachyspermum ammi

Bishopsweed, Aromatick of Candia. Bishopsweed, Candia. I. The Names. It is called in Greek also ****, which is the Name given by Dioscorides; and in Latin, Ammi, Cuminum Regium, and Aethiopicum; and in English, Forein or Outlandish Bishops-weed.

II. The Kinds. It is twofold,

  • 1. Cretick, or that of Candy, called Ammi Creticum, and by Lobel, Ammi Creticum Aromaticum, Bishops-weed of Candy, (Bunium aromaticum -> Trachyspermum copticum (?) -> Trachyspermum ammi. -Henriette.)
  • 2. Egyptian, called by Gesner, Ammi verum: by Dodonaeus, Ammi alterum parvum: Ammi perpusilum, by Lobel and Gerard: Ammium primum Alexandrinum, by Tabermontanus: Ammi parvum folii funiculi, by C. Bauhin and Parkinson: and Ammi tenuissmo & Odoratissimo, by J. Bauhin: Alexandrian Bishops-weed. (Trachyspermum ammi. -Henriette.)

III. The Description. Bishops-weed of Candy has a root like unto the Garden Carrot, and of a yellowish color, and brown on the outside, as Parkinson says, with some Fibres or Strings thereon: From this Root comes forth several slender Stalks of fine cut Leaves, somewhat like unto those of Wild Carrots, or Daucus Creticus, smelling something quick, and of an excellent Aromatick or Spicy flavor, not much unlike Origanum; from which rise up slender Stalks, with some Joints, with like Leaves as the former set thereon, and at the Tops, Umbles of white Flowers, in Tufts or Roundles like Carum, which turn into small Seed like Smallage, of a Sweet sharp scent, and quick hot taste.

IV. The Alexandrian Bishops-weed has a small white Root, perishing after Seed-time; from which small Root rise two or three slender Stalks, about a Foot, or Foot and half high, arched towards the tops, and set with several very fine small Leaves, like unto Dill, and finer than Fennel; at the Extremities whereof grow small Umbles of white Flowers, after which come very small blackish Seed, much like to Parsley Seed, pleasant in smell, and sharp or quick in taste.

V. The Places. The first of these came to us from Candy; as also from Syria to Venice, and from thence to France, the Low Countries and England which Seed has been often sown, but without effect; The second grows in Arabia, and at Alexandria in Egypt; from whence it has been brought to us.

VI. The Times. They do all Flower and Seed reasonably well with us (says Parkinson) if the Year proves kindly, otherwise not: if they flower, it is in June and July, and the Seed is ripe in August.

VII. The Qualities, Specification, The Preparations, Virtues and Uses are the same with that in the former Chapter in all respects; so that no more need be said of them in this place. Note, It is supposed, That the true Ammi is wholly lost to us; but Parkinson is of Opinion, that Cuminum Sylvestrum may be the true Anmi of Dioscorides.

Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
This chapter has been proofread by Nick Jones.