A monotypic genus with supreme adaptation to dry conditions, bearing its flowers and fruits on phylloclades, leaf like expanded stems. The phylloclades are too thick for sunlight to pass through so have chlorophyll containing cells on both sides (the cells in the middle do not) and stomata on both sides to facilitate CO2 diffusion into the plant.

16th century use: Capitis dolorem, corona ex comis imposita minuit. Datut radix utiliter ad omnes uteri affectiones, & praefertim praefocatis ab utero mulieribus, cochlearis mensura. Est quoque ad puerorum enterocellas praestantissimum auxilium si diutius radicis pulvis sesquidrachme pondere quotidie ex maioris symphiti decocto propinetur. * * * * * * * * viz: (more or less): A crown made of cut branches laid on reduces a headache. A spoon's measure dose of the root, is useful for all uterine disorders, and especially for the suffocation from the woman's uterus [=hysterical disorders]. It is also a preminent help for hernias in young men, if the powdered root is drunk daily for a long time with a one and a half drachms weight of a mixture with symphytum major (= comfrey). [NOTE: Comfrey is toxic to the liver].

16th century names: Hippoglossum. In Italy: Bislingua or Bonifacio; Spain: Lengue de Vavallo; France: Bislingua.

Re-identified as Ruscus hypoglossum 'Mr Lonely'. Please see Ruscus record.