hedge-hyssop

(hej’ his’ op), n. 1. A plant of the genus Gratiola, especially G. officinal is, common in nearly all of Europe except the British isles. It was called by the early herbalists Gratia Dei, on account of its reputed healing virtues; and the generic name, as well as the name herb-of-grace, is derived from this. It is a bitter purgative and emetic, poisonous in large doses. It is said to have formed the basis for the famous nostrum for gout, the eaw médicinale. It has now nearly gone out of use. The genus Gratiola belongs to the natural order Scrophularinee, or figwort family, and embraces about 20 species, more than half of which are found in North America. A single specimen of G. oficinalis is reported to have been found in Georgia. The Peruvian or Victorian hedge-hy op is G. Peruviana, a semi-aquatic species, remarkable for being indigenous to both South America and Australia. 2. In England, the common name of the le er skulleap, Scutellar i a minor, a labiate plant not often growing in hedges. hedge-jug (hej’jug),. The bottle-tit or long tailed titmouse, Acredula rose a: named from the site and shape of its nest. [Local, Eng.] hedge-knife (hej’nif), ». An instrument for trimming hedges. hedge-laurel (hej’la’rel), ». An Australian plant of the genus Pittosporum, especially P. eugenioides, P. rigidwm, or P. tenuifoliwm, of New Zealand, cultivated in the botanic gardens of Melbourne, Brisbane, etc. They are ornamental evergreen shrubs or small trees, with somewhat showy white or yellowish flowers. See Pittosporum. hedge maids (hej’madz), ». The ground-ivy, Nepeta Glechoma. See Nepeta. Also called hay maiden, haymaids. hedge-marriage (hej’mar’aj), ». A secret or clandestine marriage; an irregular marriage performed by a hedge-parson or hedge-priest. pees puke (hej’mik),n. Same as hedge-sparrow, hedge-mushroom (hej/mush’rém),». An edible mushroom, Agaric us arvensis, common in Europe. Also called horse-mushroom.