The Description.
1 The great Navelwoort hath round and thicke leaves, somewhat bluntly indented about the edges, and somewhat hollow in the midst on the upper part, having a short tender stemme fastened to the middest of the leafe, on the lower side underneath the stalke, whereon the floures do grow, is small and hollow, an handfull high and more, beset with many small floures of an overworne incarnate colour. The root is small like an olive, of a white colour.
2 The second kinde of Wall Penniwort or Navelwoort hath broad thicke leaves somewhat deepely indented about the edges: spred upon the ground in manner of a tuft, set about the tender stalke; among which riseth up a tender stalke whereon doe grow the like leaves. The floures stand on the top consisting of five small leaves of a whitish colour, with redde spots in them. Dagger This by some is called Sedum Serratum. Dagger
3 There is a kinde of Navelwoort that groweth in watery places, which is called of the husbandman Sheeps bane, because it killeth sheepe that do eat thereof: it is not much unlike the precedent, but the round edges of the leaves are not so even as the other; and this creepeth upon the ground, and the other upon the stone walls.
The Place.
The first kind of Penniwoort groweth plentifully in Northampton upon every stone wall about the towne, at Bristow, Bathe, Wells, and most places of the West countrie upon stone walls. It groweth upon Westminster Abbey, over the doore that leadeth from Chaucers tombe to the old palace. Dagger In this last place it is not now to be found. Dagger
The second and third grow upon the Alpes neere Piedmont, and Bavier, and upon the mountaines of Germany: I found the third growing upon Bieston Castle in Cheshire.
Dagger The third growes upon the Bogges upon Hampstead Heath, and many such rotten grounds in other places. Dagger
The Time.
They are greene and flourish especially in Winter: They floure also in the beginning of Summer.
The Names.
Navelwoort is called of some, Hortus Veneris, or Venus garden, and Terrae umbilicus, or the Navel of the earth: in English, Penniwoort, Wall-Penniwoort, Ladies Navell, Hipwoort and Kidneywoort.
Water Penniwoort is called in English, Sheepe-killing Pennigrasse.
The Vertues.
The ignorant Apothecaries doe use the Water Pennywort in stead of this of the wall, which they cannot doe without great error, and much danger to the patient: for husbandmen know well, that it is noisome unto Sheepe, and other cattell that feed thereon, and for the most part bringeth death unto them, much more to men by a stronger reason.