Vervain-Mallow, in La∣tin Alcea vulgaris.
It has a woody, Perennial Root, which sends forth many Stalks, three or four Foot high, or higher; they are round, fill'd with a fungous Pith, and hairy; the Hairs are few, and long; they are cover'd with a Sky-colour'd Dust, which may be easily wiped off. The Leaves that come from the Root, and the lowermost on the Stalks, are somewhat round, and indented about the Edges, and are placed on long Foot-stalks▪ Those that are on the Stalks are placed alternately; the nearer they approach to the Top, so much shorter are their Foot-stalks; and they are cut in deeper. There are most commonly five large Jags, almost like the Leaves of Monk's-hood; they are of a dark-green Colour, and hairy, especially on the Under∣side. A Flower is placed in every Wing of the Leaves, and has an hairy, four-square Foot-stalk; and there is great Abundance of them on the Stalks, and upon the tops of the Branches; they are large, and of a purple Colour, and consist of five channel'd Leaves, jointed at the bot∣tom. The Cup is hairy, and divided into five Parts; under which there are three narrow Leaves, that come together when the Flower falls, and make a Recepta∣cle for the Seeds, which are hairy and black when they come to maturity; joyn'd together, they represent a Cheese. It grows frequent∣ly among Bushes.
'Tis reckon'd amongst Emplastick and Emollient Medicines. And as it is like, so it agrees in Virtue with the Mallow. 'Tis much commended by Em∣pericks, for curing Dimn∣ness of Sight. A Deco∣ction of it is good for the Gripes.