Of the smallest Stonecrops, called wall Pepper.
The kindes.
Of these small Stone crops there be diuers sorts, their seuerall descriptions shall be set downe with their names for distinctions sake. Vermicularis siue Illecebra. Wall Pepper.
The description.
This is a lowe and little herbe: the stalkes be slender and short: the leaues about these stande very thicke and small in growth, full bodied, sharpe pointed and full of iuice: the flowers stand on the top, and are maruellous little, of colour yellow & of a sharp biting taste: the root is nothing but strings.
The place.
It groweth euery where in stonie and drie places, and in chinkes or crannies of olde wals: it is alwaies greene, and therefore it is verie fitly placed among the Sengreens.
The time.
It flowreth in the sommer moneths.
The names.
This is tertium Semperuiuum Dioscoridis, or Dioscorides his thirde Sengreene, which he saith is called of the Grecians ἀνδράχνη ἀγρία, and τηλέφιον: and of the Romaines Illecebra. Plinie also witnesseth that the Latines name it Illecebra. Yet there is another ἀνδράχνη ἀγρία, and another τηλέφιον: the Germains call this herbe Maurpfeffer, and Katzen treuble: the French men Pain d'oiseau: the Low countrie men Muer Pepper: the Englishmen Stonecrop and Stonehore, little Stonecrop, Pricket, of some Prickmadam, Mousetaile, wall Pepper, countrey Pepper, and Iacke of the butterie.
The temperature.
This little herbe is sharpe and biting, and very hot. Being outwardly applied it raiseth blisters, and at length exulcerateth.
The vertues.
It wasteth away hard kernels, and the kings euill, if it be laide vnto them, as Dioscorides writeth. The iuice hereof extracted or drawne forth & taken with vineger or other liquor, procureth vomite, and bringeth vppe grosse and flegmatike humours, and also cholericke; and doth thereby oftentimes cure the quartaine ague and other agues of long continuance; and giuen in this maner it is a remedie against poisons inwardly taken.
Text in Gerard's own spelling (the long s is printed as s), transcribed by the Source Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). A chapter may run onto pages not yet transcribed. Gerard wrote within Galenic medicine; nothing here is advice.