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Dogs Mercury
- 1. Dogs Mercury (Mercurialisperennis) One of the most common woodland plants, Dog’s Mercury can be found in most of Europe in shaded copses but is almost absent from Ireland, and Northern Scotland. There are wide extensive carpets of this plant on the floors of forests and beneath hedgerows. A member of the Surge Family, It can be so dense that it even crowds out rarer species. Its appearance is most prominent in May, though it can be found throughout spring. Origins of its name. The plant’s name originates from the legend that its medicinal virtues were discovered by the Roman god, Mercury. This is also why it is known as Mercury’s Grass in Greece. In France, it is referred to as La Mercuriale in France and in Italy, Mercorella. However, as the plant is considered to be inedible, the term ‘dog’ was attached to it signifying its inferiority. In Greece however it was used quite often for medicinal purposes. Mercury needed his health to deliver the god’s messages thus the plant was attributed to him. The plant has many names such as Adder's-meat, Boggard-flower, Bristol-weed, Dog's Cole, Kentish Balsam, Maiden Mercury, Leaf Mercury, Sapwort, Snake's Bit, Snake Weed, and Town-weed. Appearance
- 2. When full grown,its numerous hairy stems are very straight. Plants may reach a height of about 15 in / 40 cm. Most leaves are on the top of the plant. The leaves are spear shaped and reflect a lucid green. The leaves may be rough, smooth or hairy ovals. One of its most characteristic features is the foul harsh smell it produces similar to rotting fish. It thrives in the shade. Growth and Habitat Dog's Mercury grows abundantly in alkaline (basic) soils, particularly that which is rich in humus. Armies of them can be found suitable habitats in limestone regions. They can also survive neutral soils. However they cannot grow in acidic ones. Usually one can find it in the broad-leaved forests and groves. It grows very fast. Dog's mercury is an aggressive plant that is self-sustaining and can grow by itself. Male and female versions of Dog’s Mercury plants usually grow in separate bunches, the females being less common. Chemical Characteristics Dog's mercury is highly poisonous when eaten! It contains methylamine, trimethylamine, saponins and a volatile oil. It can lead to vomiting, pain, gastric and kidney inflammation. Larger doses can cause lethargy, jaundice, painful urination, apparently by making the urine acid and coma before death. The first known account of this happened in 1693, when a family became seriously ill as a result of eating the plant (after boiling and frying it); one of the children died some days later. In the 1980s, a couple was reported to have eaten the leaves, boiled, and thinking it to be a green vegetable. Luckily they recovered in two days. Dog's Mercury was even once eaten in mistake for Good King Henry, when boiled and eaten with fried bacon in error for this English spinach; it produced sickness, drowsiness and twitching. In another instance, when it was collected and boiled in soup by some vagrants, all partaking of it exhibited the ordinary symptoms of narcotic and irritant poisoning, two children dying on the following day.
- 3. Sheep and Cattlehave even eaten it in mistake. It is poisonous in the fresh state. It has been said, however, that heat destroys its harmfulness. Its chemical constituents have not been ascertained. Uses The famous doctor and botanist, Dioscorides, has demonstrated that a tincture of male flowers of Dog’s Mercury increased the possibilities of having a male child, and similarly female flowers increased the likelihood of a girl It is can be used as a natural cosmetic A lotion is made from the plant. The seeds are quite large (about 3 – 4 mm in diameter) and ‘offer a meal’ to small mammals and birds. Its main use is as a laxative however its medicinal use is discouraged by herbalists It was used in treating warts, sores, inflammation, watering eyes, deafness, rheumatism, dropsy, diarrhea and disorders of the gall bladder and liver however it is now not recommended in medicinal use by herbalists. When steeped in water, the leaves and stems of the plant give out a fine blue color, resembling indigo. This can be used to make a dye. References http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/flowers/British-Wild-Flowers-1/Dog-s-Mercury-Mercurialis- Perennis-L.html#.U1owVeNdV34 http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Mercurialis_perennis http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_dogs_mercury.htm https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/merdog31.html http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/dogs-mercury/ http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/mercurialis_perennis.htm
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