28-08-2017, 02:44 PM
In a 17th-century dictionary, Gouldman mentions Alista (flos paradisi), also known as Oculus Dei, but I haven't found anything that explains which plant it is.
I don't know whether they might mean Paradise Plant (Daphne mezereum). It's a widespread plant with red berries that is very toxic but nevertheless was considered a medicinal plant.
Another possibility is Aframomum melegueta of the ginger family, called grains of paradise. It's an African plant, but it must have been known in Europe because I've seen something the resembles this plant in one of the major herbals (possibly Egerton 747). It has little black seeds that open up to red centers (thus somewhat resembling eyes). The roots of various ginger species are widely used, but I don't know whether they used the roots of this one.
I don't know whether they might mean Paradise Plant (Daphne mezereum). It's a widespread plant with red berries that is very toxic but nevertheless was considered a medicinal plant.
Another possibility is Aframomum melegueta of the ginger family, called grains of paradise. It's an African plant, but it must have been known in Europe because I've seen something the resembles this plant in one of the major herbals (possibly Egerton 747). It has little black seeds that open up to red centers (thus somewhat resembling eyes). The roots of various ginger species are widely used, but I don't know whether they used the roots of this one.