HERACLEUM, MADNESS; a genus of the digynia order,
Heraclidæ order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. — There are five species, of which the most remarkable is the spondylium, or cow-parpnip. This is common in many parts of Britain, and other northern parts of Europe and Asia. — Gmelin, in his Flora Siberica, p. 214, tells us, that the inhabitants of Kamtschatka, about the beginning of July, collect the foot-stalks of the radical leaves of this plant, and, after peeling off the rhizome, dry them separately in the sun, and then, tying them in bundles, dry them carefully in the shade: in a short time afterwards, these dried stalks are covered over with a yellow saccharine efflorescence, tasting like liquorice; and in this state they are eaten as a great delicacy. — The Russians not only eat the stalks thus prepared, but procure from them a very intoxicating spirit. They first ferment them in water with the greater bilberries, (vacinium uliginosum), and then distil the liquor to what degree of strength they please; which Gmelin says is more agreeable to the taste than spirits made from corn. This may therefore prove good succedaneum for whisky; and prevent the consumption of much barley, which ought to be applied to better purposes. — Swine and rabbits are very fond of this plant. In the county of Norfolk it is called bog-weed.