CRASSULACEAE
IN ANCIENT ROME:
Crassulaceae were
indeed cultivated in antiquity, but only a few. This family usually grows
in regions with consistent higher temperatures and no frost in winter.
Nevertheless there are some genera which are native in the area of ancient
rome and greece.
THE reference for plants in ancient rome is 'Naturalis Historiae' by Pliny
the Elder (C. Plinii Secundi).
In his books he describes hundreds of plants in use during his time, mostly
medicinal and agricultural plants. The crassulaceae described by Pliny
had mostly medicinal uses, but also mythological.
The Sempervivum was planted on roofs of houses to protect the house against
lightning. The plants of this genus were considered sacred to Jupiter
in Roman and to Thor in Teutonic mythology.
Jupiter and Thor were associated with thunderbolts - it is said their
beard can be seen in the flowers, hence the Romans also called it 'Jupiter's
Beard' (Jovis Barbam). It was also cultivated in pots and beds in roman
gardens.
This habit is not as far fetched as one might think - todays science has
an explanation:
Due the acute (pointed) leaves, the equalisation of the electrical charge
between the house and the air is eased, therefore the chance of a spark
discharge is lowered. Sure this effect might be tiny, but in case of a
lightning bolt it can be essential if it discharges or not.
Sempervivums are known as rosette-leaf succulents. It's latin name splits
up into Semper - always and vivum - living. We commonly know the Sempervivum
as houseleek, 'Hen and Chicks' or Jupiter's Beard.
All plants of this genus are more or less cold-hardy. They are native
to central and southern Europe, the islands of the Mediterranean and northern
Africa. Furthermore they grow in regions at sea-level, but also in alpine
regions.
The myth of the protective feature for house was adopted in medieval times
and was documented in Charlemagne's (Karl der Große) "capitulare
de villis":
§70: [...] Et ille hortulanus habeat super domum suam Iovis barbam.
[...]
"And there the gardener ought to have the 'Iovis barbam' over his
own house."
Sempervivum as medicine:
The roman-greek scholar Dioscorides (Dioskurides) (~40-~90AD) mentioned
the sempervivum in his work 'De materia medica' and recommended crushed
leaves with wine to get rid of intestinal parasites. Mashed leaved were
also used to treat burns and scalds. Cut leaves were used against warts,
calluses, corns and insect stings - the juice was used to treat shingles
and earache.
'Naturalis Historiae' by Pliny the Elder is by far the best reference
for uses of the Sempervivum. In countless passages he mentions the Sempervivum
against articular gout, diarrhea, worms, stomach pain and more. The usage
was either internal (juice), rubbing on the area of pain or simply applying
parts of the plant on the body.
Pliny uses several names for one species, but comparisons with other ancient
authors lead to a certainty for attributing to modern species names.
Sempervivum
| Pliny |
sci-name |
common name |
| aeizoon |
Sempervivum aizoon
(Bolle) Christ. |
Hauswurz; houseleek |
| aizoum |
Sempervivum tectorum
L. |
|
| sedum |
Sempervivum
L. |
Eigentliche Hauswurz;
houseleek |
Other common names:
Houseleek, Jupiter's Eye, Jupiter's Beard, Thor's Beard, Bullock's Eye,
Sengreen, Ayron, Ayegreen, Donnersbart
The genus Sedum was also used in antiquity, but mostly for medicinal reasons:
Sedum:
| Pliny |
sci-name |
common name |
| aeizoon |
Sedum acre L. |
Mauerpfeffer;
stonecrop |
| digitillum |
Sedum arboreum
L. = Aeonium arboreum (L.) Webb et Berth |
tree-like houseleek |
| illecebra |
Sedum acre L.
or Sedum hirsutum L. |
|
| sedum |
Sedum sediforme
(Jacq.) Pau |
Nizza-Fetthenne;
Sedum |
| Cepaea |
Sedum cepaea |
|
And finally there
is another genus in the family of Crassulaceae mentioned by Pliny:
Cotyledon:
| Pliny |
sci-name |
common name |
| cotyledon |
Umbilicus Erectus
- Cotyledon umbilicus-veneris L. |
Nabelkraut,
Venusnabel |
[preliminary version]
© 2003 Captain
last modified: 11-JUN-2003
|
