Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Flora for wider area of: "ILIA Ancient country GREECE" .
ILIA (Ancient country) GREECE
The land of Elis is fruitful, being especially suited to the growth of fine flax.(Paus.6.26.6)
There is still another distinction, which ought not to be omitted,--the
fact, that many of the odoriferous plants never enter into the composition of
garlands, the iris and the saliunca, for example, although, both of them, of a
most exquisite odour. In the iris, it is the root only that is held in esteem,
it being extensively employed in perfumery and medicine. The iris of the finest
quality is that found in Illyricum,
and in that country, even, not in the maritime parts of it, but in the forests
on the banks of the river Drilon and near Narona.
The next best is that of Macedonia,
the plant being extremely elongated, white, and thin. The iris of Africa occupies
the third rank, being the largest of them all, and of an extremely bitter taste.
The iris of Illyricum comprehends two varieties--one of which is the
raphanitis, so called from its resemblance to the radish, of a somewhat red colour,
and superior in quality to the other, which is known as the "rhizotomus." The
best kind of iris is that which produces sneezing when handled. The stem of this
plant is a cubit in length, and erect, the flower being of various colours, like
the rainbow, to which circumstance it is indebted for its name. The iris, too,
of Pisidia is far from being
held in disesteem. Persons who intend taking up the iris, drench the ground about
it some three months before with hydromel, as though a sort of atonement offered
to appease the earth; with the point of a sword, too, they trace three circles
round it, and the moment they gather it, they lift it up towards the heavens
The iris is a plant of a caustic nature, and when handled, it causes blisters
like burns to rise. It is a point particularly recommended, that those who gather
it should be in a state of chastity. The root, not only when dried, but while
still in the ground, is very quickly attacked by worms. In former times, it was
Leucas and Elis that supplied
us with the best oil of iris, for there it has long been cultivated; at the present
day, however, the best comes from Pamphylia,
though that of Cilicia and
the northern climates is held in high esteem. (Pliny Nat. 21.19)
Receive our daily Newsletter with all the latest updates on the Greek Travel industry.
Subscribe now!
