AMMI, BISHOP'S WEED: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants; and ranking, in the natural method, under the 45th order, Umbellatae. The characters are: Of the calyx the universal umbel is manifold; the partial one short and crowded; the involucre are pinnatifid, with numerous leaflets: The corolla are radiated, and all hermaphrodite: The stamina consist of five capillary filaments; the antheræ roundish: The pistillum has a germin beneath: the styli are two, and reflected; and the stigmata are obtuse: There is no pericarpium; the fruit is roundish, polished, striated, small, and partible: The seeds are two, plano-convex, and striated. Of this there are three
Species. 1. The majus, or common bishop's-weed, the seeds of which are used in medicine. 2. The glaucifolium, with all its leaves cut in the shape of a spear. 3. The copticum, or Egyptian bishop's-weed.
Culture, &c. The first is an annual plant; and therefore is to be propagated by seeds sown in the autumn, in the place where the plants are to remain. They will flower in June, and the seeds will ripen in August. This plant will grow in any open situation, but thrives best in a light sandy soil. The second sort is perennial, and very hardy. It thrives best in a moist soil, and may be propagated by seeds in the same manner as the former.
The third species is now no otherwise known than by the figure of its seeds, which were formerly used in medicine, but have long since given place to those of the common kind. The seeds of the ammi copticum are small, striated, of a reddish brown colour, and have a warm pungent taste, and a pleasant smell approaching to that of organum. They are recommended as stomachic, carminative, and diuretic; but have long been strangers to the shops. The seeds of the ammi majus, which are used in their place, are much weaker both in taste and smell, and without the organum flavour of the other.