Home
The University Gardens
HISTORICAL PLANTS OF BERGEN

Peucedanum ostruthium (masterwort)

A monk’s cure-all

mesterrot
Photo:
Mladen Golubovic

Main content

Masterwort probably came with the monks and was known from monasteries as early as the 14th century. It was a highly valued medicinal herb with a broad range of applications. Belief in its effects was strong, and some wore the root as an amulet around their necks.

Today, the plant is rare in Norway, and its distribution points to former church life and monasteries. Occurrences in Bergen are connected to Nonneseter's and Lysekloster's properties south of the city. It is possible that these monasteries were alone in cultivating this species.

Return to Bergen's plants.