There is a plant like a box-thorn,
With prickles like a dog-rose, they prick one who plucks it.
But if you can possess it
You'll be restored to youth.

- Epic of Gilgamesh

The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,
But in another country, as he said,
Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil:
Unknown, and like esteemed, and the dull swain
Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon;
And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly
That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave.

- Milton, Comus