The Description.
1 Scorpion grasse hath many smooth, plaine, even leaves, of a darke greene colour; stalkes small, feeble and weake, trailing upon the ground, and occupying a great circuit in respect of the plant. The floures grow upon long and slender foot stalks, of colour yellow, in shape like to the floures of broome; after which succeed long, crooked, rough cods, in shape and colour like unto a Caterpiller; wherein is contained yellowish seed like unto a kidney in shape. The root is small and tender: the whole plant perisheth when the seed is ripe.
2 There is another sort almost in every shallow gravelly running streame, having leaves like to Becabunga or Brooklime. The floures grow at the top of tender fat greene stalkes, blew of colour, and sometimes with a spot of yellow among the blew; the whole branch of floures do turne themselves likewise round like the scorpions taile.
3 There is likewise another sort growing upon most dry gravelly and barren ditch bankes, with leaves like those of Mouse-eare: this is called Myosotes scorpioides; it hath rough and hairy leaves, of an overworne russet colour: the floures doe grow upon weake, feeble, and rough branches, as is all the rest of the plant. They likewise grow for the most part at one side of the stalke, blew of colour, with a like little spot of yellow as the others, turning themselves backe againe like the taile of a Scorpion.
The Place.
1 These Scorpion grasses grow not wilde in England, notwithstanding I have received seed of the first from beyond the seas, and have dispersed them through England, which are esteemed of gentle-women for the beautie and strangnesse of the crooked cods resembling Caterpillers.
The others do grow in waters and streames, as also on dry and barren bankes.
The Time.
The first floureth from May to the end of August: the others I have found all the Summer long.
The Nature and Vertues.
Dioscorides saith, that the leaves of Scorpion grasse applyed to the place, are a present remedy against the stinging of Scorpions: and likewise boyled in wine and drunke, prevaile against the said bitings, as also of addars, snakes, and such venomous beasts: being made in an unguent with oile, wax, and a little gum Elemni, they are profitable against such hurts as require an healing medicine.