The Sebesten Tree.
Nyxa sive sebesten.
A tree of the bigness and form of our common plum tree, and producing a fruit not altogether unlike it. The trunk is covered with a rough bark, the branches grow irregularly and crooked, and are generally so slender toward the ends, and so full of leaves that they bend downward; the leaves are broad and short; the flowers are white, small, and sweet scented; they stand in tufts or clusters, and the cup in which they stand remains, and encloses the fruit. This is somewhat like a plum, and has a kernel in the same manner: its shape is oblong; and the pulpy part of it is so tough and clammy, that being beat up with water it makes good bird lime.
This fruit is the part used; it is sent over to us dried in the manner of a prune. It used to be a constant ingredient in decoctions for coughs, and disorders of the lungs, but it is now disregarded.
