Flora of Middle-Earth by Walter S. Judd

Author:Walter S. Judd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2017-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

FIGURE 7.39 Kingsfoil, athelias.

Etymology: The Westron name, represented by English, “kingsfoil,” contains the Old French word, foil, as in cinquefoil, and thus means “king’s leaf.” Athelias, the Sindarin name of this plant, may be derived from athaya (perhaps meaning helpful, beneficial, or, alternatively, it may be related to the Quenya word asëa (leaf) and las (leaf). Therefore, the name could mean “beneficial-leaf” or “leaf-leaf,” but the latter seems problematic. The name in Quenya, asëa aranion, is derived from aranion (of the kings), and the name thus translates as “leaf of the kings” or perhaps “beneficial [leaf] of the kings.” Tolkien perhaps adapted athelias from the Middle English aethel (noble by birth or character, a chief or lord), which again connects the plant to nobility and kingship. The precise identity of the plant is much debated, but if linked to the medicinal herb comfrey, the following may be relevant. The English name “comfrey” is derived from Middle English cumfirie, and Latin confervere (to grow together), an allusion to the traditional use of the herb in healing broken bones. The scientific name of these plants, Symphytum, is derived from the Greek symphusis (to unite or grow together) and phyton (plant), another reference to its folkloric use in healing.

Distribution and Ecology: Kingsfoil or athelias is stated by Aragorn to be introduced from Númenor into Middle-earth by the Men of the West and “grows now sparsely and only near places where thy dwelt or camped of old” (LotR 1: XII). It is more common farther south, in Gondor (and it possibly once grew in Beleriand, see Lays III: 3118–3121, and was used by Lúthien to treat a wound received by Beren). Kingsfoil grew in thickets and woodland glades and also occurred in damp, disturbed sites, such as trail sides. No plant currently exists that matches the healing properties of kingsfoil, but if the connection with comfrey is valid, then related species (i.e., Symphytum officinale, S. asperum, their hybrid, S. × uplandicum, and relatives, totaling some 35 spp.) grow widely in Eurasia and are also cultivated and naturalized in many temperate regions.

Economic Uses: Kingsfoil is a healing herb, effective in treating wounds and, in the hands of the king, a cure for the Black Breath, an illness resulting from close exposure to the Nazgȗl. Comfrey (S. officinale, S. asperum, etc.) was once highly prized as a medicinal herb and used topically, especially for treatment of bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, burns, skin ailments, wounds, and inflammation. The plants contain allantoin, which promotes healing in connective tissue through proliferation of new cells; allantoin also increases smoothness of the skin and is used in many cosmetics and sun-care creams (as well as in toothpaste, mouthwash, and shampoos). However, comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are poisonous, especially if taken internally. Species of Symphytum also are grown occasionally as garden ornamentals.

Description (based, in part upon Symphytum spp.): Perennial, evergreen herbs; stems erect, with simple hairs. Leaves alternate, spirally arranged, simple, broadly to narrowly ovate or elliptic leaves,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.