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The illustrations depict two distinct species. The upper plant is Long Birthwort, showing its characteristic elongated, tapering root. The lower plant is Round Birthwort, distinguished by its bulbous, turnip-like root and clusters of fruit.
HAVE CALLED FINGER-PLANT original: "Daktylitin," likely referring to the finger-like shape of the root; OTHERS CALL IT
THE ABORTION-PLANT original: "Amblothridion," reflecting its historical medicinal use in inducing labor or miscarriage. IT GROWS IN
MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS, FOR THE
Birthwort original Arabic: "Zarawand"
MOST PART IN BARE PLACES. IT HAS
LEAVES SIMILAR TO IVY,
WHICH ARE SMALL, SPREAD OUT,
SOMEWHAT ROUNDED, AND
TENDER. MANY SHOOTS
RECLINE FROM A SINGLE ROOT.
THE ROOT IS THICK, BITTER,
AND HAS A YELLOWISH
COLOR. A HEAVY
ODOR IS PROMINENT.
THE COLOR OF ITS LEAVES
IS LIGHT;
IT HAS WHITE FLOWERS
AND IS FULL OF FRUIT.
THE ROOT OF THE
ROUND VARIETY IS
SPHERICAL, SIMILAR TO A
TURNIP original: "gongyli," referring to a round rape or turnip.
THE WHOLE ROOT IS ABOUT THE
THICKNESS OF A SMALL CLUB original: "propallestylou," a reference to a small rod or handle
AND IS EXCEEDINGLY BITTER.
THIS VARIETY...