ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. xn. 3 -xm. i 



like that of the black mullein,, but it is not so black ; 

 the stem grows about a cubit high, the root is stout 

 and shallow, the fruit is twisted like a little horn 1 : 

 it is gathered at the time of wheat harvest. It has 

 the property of purging the belly, and the leaf is 

 used for removing ulcers on sheep's eyes. It grows 

 by the sea, wherever there is rocky ground. 



2 Another kind of poppy is that called rhoias, 

 which is like wild chicory, wherefore it is even 

 eaten : it grows in cultivated fields and especially 

 among barley. It has a red flower, and a head as 

 large as a man's finger-nail. It is gathered before 

 the barley-harvest, when it is still somewhat green. 

 It purges downwards. 



3 Another kind of poppy is called Herakleia : it has 

 a leaf like soap-wort, with which 4 they bleach linen : 

 the root is slender and does not run deep, and the 

 fruit is white. The root of this plant purges upwards : 

 and some use it in a posset of mead for epileptics. 



5 These kinds then are distinct plants, though they 

 come under one name. 



Of roots possessing remarkable taste or smell. 



XIII. The differences between roots are shown in 

 their tastes G and in their smells : some are pungent, 

 some bitter, some sweet : some again have a pleasant, 

 others a disagreeable smell. The plant called 

 yellow water-lily " is sweet : it grows in lakes and 

 marshy places, as in the district of Orchomenus, at 



4 This appears to refer to a-rpovQos, not to 'Hpa/cAeia, as 

 Plin. takes it. cf. 6. 4. 3 and Index, arpovQiov (2). 



5 i.e. folds and 'Hpa/cAeia are popularly called ' poppies.' 

 duKW/nia TIVI conj.W.; 6/j.uvvjj.a nva. Aid.; o/n.uivv/ji.a. nvi U*. cf. 

 7. 15. 4. 



6 x v ^ is conj. Soh.; XU\G?S Aid. Plin. 25. 75. 



281 



