Parts of the Treatise on Plants

A botanical illustration of a low-lying plant with vibrant green, needle-like leaves that fan out from a central cluster in a radiating pattern. Tiny dark brown or black seed-like structures are visible attached to the lower stems beneath the leaves.

Some people call it Soteri Mousiat original: sūtīrir mūsiyāt; a phonetic corruption of a Greek name, possibly syke (fig) related. It has stems about four fingers a historical measurement, approximately 3 inches or 7.5 cm in length, and they lie flat against the ground in a circular arrangement. These stems are full [of milky sap] like the poppy original: al-maranz; a corruption of the Greek mēkōn. Its leaves are similar to the leaves of the juniper original: al-‘ar‘ar and resemble the small leaves of the plant called salam an acacia-like plant known for its delicate, divided leaves.

The plant grows close to the earth, and beneath the leaves, there is a round fruit similar to lentils original: marasalas; a corruption of the Greek phakos. This plant has no flower and no central stalk. It has a slender root that is not utilized in medicine.

The stems of this plant, when finely ground and mixed with wine, are applied as a medicated plug original: uḥtumilat; referring to a pessary or suppository in the same manner as Southernwood original: abarūṭānun; an aromatic plant used to treat parasites and skin conditions. It is used to treat warts original: al-thawālīl that are accompanied by skin tightening when used with salt brine. When the plant is cooked and eaten, it softens the belly acts as a laxative. The juice of these stems can also perform the same medicinal actions as the nightshade original: al-‘inabah; literally "the grape-like," referring to Black Nightshade.