The Botanist's Companion, Volume II / Or an Introduction to the Knowledge of Practical Botany, and the Uses of Plants. Either Growing Wild in Great Britain, or Cultivated for the Puroses of Agriculture, Medicine, Rural Oeconomy, or the Arts

by William Salisbury

The yellow turnep is also much esteemed as a vegetable; but is dry, and very different in taste from any of the common kinds.

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SECTION X.—CULINARY PLANTS NOT IN CULTIVATION.

The following section cannot be too closely studied by people in all ranks of life. Many of our most delicate vegetables are found growing wild; and in times of scarcity, and after hard winters, many articles of this department will be found highly acceptable to all, and the condition of the poorer classes would be bettered by a more intimate knowledge of those plants. In fact, these and the medicinal plants ought to be known to every one: and in order to facilitate the study of them, I have been thus particular in my description of the different kinds.

479. AGARIC, ORANGE. Agaricus deliciosus.—This agaric well boiled and seasoned with pepper and salt, has a flavour similar to that of a roasted muscle. In this way the French, in general, make use of it. It is in high perfection about September, and is chiefly to be found in dry woods.

480. ALEXANDERS. Smyrnium Olustratum.—If the poorer people were aware of the value of this plant, which is now quite neglected, it might be turned to good account as an article of food, and that, in all likelihood, of the most wholesome kind.

Bryant thinks it was much esteemed by the monks, and states that it has, ever since the destruction of the abbeys in this country, remained in many places growing among the rubbish; hence the reason of its being found wild in such places.

481. ALEXANDERS, ROUND-LEAVED. Smyrnium perfoliatum.—-It is said that the leaves and stalks boiled are more pleasant to the taste than the other kind of Alexanders.

482. ARROWHEAD. Sagittaria sagittifolia.—The roots of this plant are said to be very similar to the West-India arrow-root. They are sometimes dried and pounded, but are reported to have an acrid unpleasant taste; but this might perhaps be got rid of by washing the powder in water.

483. BLACKBERRY. Rubus fruticosus.—The berries of this plant are well known in the country; but if too many be eaten, they are apt to cause swelling in the stomach, sickness, &c.