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Of Wood Sorrell, or Stubwort

The Description. 1 OXys Pliniana, or Trifolium acetosum, being a kinde of three leafed grasse, is a low and base herbe without stalke; the leaves immediately rising from the root upon short stemmes at their first comming forth folded together, but afterward they do spred abroad, and are of a faire light greene colour, in number three, like the rest of the Trefoiles, but that each leafe, hath a deep cleft or rift in the middle: among these leaves come up small and weake tender stems, such as the leaves do grow upon, which beare small starre-like floures of a white colour, with some brightnes of carnation dasht over the same: the floure consisteth of five small leaves; after which come little round knaps or huskes full of yellowish seed: the root is very threddy, and of a reddish colour: the whole herbe is in taste like Sorrell, but much sharper and quicker, and maketh better greene sauce than any other herbe or Sorrell whatsoever.

The Place.

These plants grow in woods and under bushes, in sandie and shadowie places in every countrey.

The Time.

They floure from the beginning of Aprill unto the end of May and midst of June.

The Names.

Wood Sorrell or Cuckow Sorrell is called in Latine Trifolium acetosum: the Apothecaries and Herbarists call it Alleluya, and Panis, Cuculi, or Cuckowes meate, because either the Cuckow feedeth thereon or by reason when it springeth forth and floureth the Cuckow singeth most, at which time also Alleluya was wont to be sung in Churches. In French, Pain de Cocu: in English, wood Sorrell, wood Sower, Sower Trefoile, Stubwort, Alleluia, and Sorrell du Bois.

The Vertues.

Sorrell du Bois or Wood Sorrell stamped and used for greene sauce, is good for them that have sicke and feeble stomackes; for it strengthneth the stomacke, procureth appetite, and of all Sorrell sauces is the best, not onely in vertue, but also in the pleasantnesse of his taste.