| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Daisy-roots, | | |
like dwarf-elder berries, are said to stunt the growth; hence the fairy Milkah fed her royal foster-child on this food, that his standard might not exceed that of a pigmy. This superstition arose from the notion that everything had the property of bestowing its own speciality on others. (See FERN SEED.)
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| “She robbed dwarf-elders of their fragrant fruit, |
| And fed him early with the daisy root, |
| Whence through his veins the powerful juices ran, |
| And formed the beauteous miniature of man.” | |
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Tickell: Kensington Gardens. |
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