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cuckoopint, wild arum (Arum maculatum)
 
© Pertinax &copy 2003-2006
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cuckoopint, wild arum (Arum maculatum)

Pertinax
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described by Dioscorides as used for gout.Has been used in a number of unusual ways ,but can cause severe gastric upset .The starch from the plant was used to whiten ruffs in Elizabethen times. Commonly used at various periods of history to "improve the juices from the liver"( spermatozoa).Dont try this at home please the glycosides would make you die vomiting. If cooked for a sufficient time the plant is reduced to a not very exciting starch which can be made into a seriously unappetising bread-this is the very item thrown by Caeser's troops at Pompey's men.

 

There is an Italian variant -literally-A italiana-which shares the same chemical makeup.

 

The flowering organs are contained in a sheath-like leaf called a spathe, within which rises a long, fleshy stem, or column called the spadix, bearing closely arranged groups of stalkless, primitive flowers. At the base are a number of flowers each consisting of a pistil only. Above these is a belt of sterile flowers, each consisting of only a purplish anther. Above the anther is a ring of glands, terminating in short threads The spadix is then prolonged into a purple; club-like extremity.

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© Pertinax &copy 2003-2006
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this quite neat, but do they really work? and can you put them into tea

 

Dont try-the plant contains Saponin Glycosides and they can kill. The sperm observation is due to an unknown causitive factor , and you can suffer severe gastric inflammation.Galen knew the plant and commented discreetly on this very topic. So -its a no no-the main man knew 2000 years ago.

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You might as well be a toxicologist Pertiniax.

I think I might be by default. I was intending to review "Galen on Food and Diet " by Mark Grant soon , one thing that strikes me is that Galen obviously knew 90% of what we know today and if a lot of his works hadnt been lost we'd probably be a lot smarter.

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This appears similar to what's commonly known around here as "Jack in the Pulpit" and which grows in swamps...I'm fairly certain it isn't the same thing but are they related?

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This appears similar to what's commonly known around here as "Jack in the Pulpit" and which grows in swamps...I'm fairly certain it isn't the same thing but are they related?

The subject plant has a European only range, maybe a family member?

 

after further reference:-

 

I see that we have an American cousin in fact, though a rather taller growing (3 feet) one with some charachteristics namely the extreme irritation caused by the fresh plant to the gastro intestinal tract, indeed I see that some Native Americans (the Meskwaki Peoples ( I hope I got your name correct folks))) took advantadge of the presence of calcium oxalate to leave poisoned meat for enemies (mainly the Sioux I am lead to believe) after soaking in this herb.

 

There are some mean little plants out there. :P Indian Turnip is I understand another name or possibly, pepper turnip.

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The subject plant has a European only range, maybe a family member?

 

after further reference:-

 

I see that we have an American cousin in fact, though a rather taller growing (3 feet) one with some charachteristics namely the extreme irritation caused by the fresh palnt to the gastro intestinal tract, indeed I see that some Native Americans (the Meskwaki Peoples ( I hope I got your name correct folks))) took advantadge of the presence of calcium oxalate to leave poisoned meat for enemies (mainly the Sioux I am lead to believe) after soaking in this herb.

 

There are some mean little plants out there. :wacko: Indian Turnip is I understand another name or possibly, pepper turnip.

 

Jack in the Pulpit

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