Trees, Shrubs, and Plants of Virgil 

 Eruca. 



' venerem revocans eruca morantem ' (Mor. 85). 



This little cruciferous plant, though called rocket 

 in some books, really has no English name. In 

 actual use the name of rocket is applied to some 

 species of brassica and hesperis. Our plant is Eruca 

 sativa, which in early spring bears a whitish flower 

 tinged with violet. It grows in fields and open 

 places, and its leaves are gathered for use in salads. 

 In this country it seems not to be in cultivation. 



Flower, February to May. 



Italian names, Rucola and Ruchetta. 



Ervum. 



1 quam pingui macer est mihi taurus in ervo ' (Ec. iii. 100). 



This species of vetch, Vicia ervilia, is closely akin 

 to the lentil, but its flowers are pinkish, while those 

 of the lentil are white and smaller. Unlike the 

 lentil, it is regarded as a native of Italy, and is 

 cultivated there as fodder for cattle. 



Flower, June. 



Italian names, Mochi, Capogirlo, and Zirlo. 



Faba. 



' vere fabis satio ' (Ge. i. 215 ; cf. Ge. i. 74). 



On the season for sowing the field bean (Vicia 

 faba) Virgil is not at one with the ancient Italian 

 authorities, who commend October or November. 



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