EREMURUS (SERIŠ)

Eremurus M. Bieb. (Asphodelaceae) comprises 45 species worldwide, scattered throughout temperate zones and tropics. These regions include vast areas in Central Asia, Caucasia, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, India, and China, with its center of diversity located in Central Asia. Asphodeloideae, a subfamily of Liliaceae, consists of three genera: Eremurus, Asphodelus L., and Asphodeline Reichenb. It is also noted that 24 species are described in the Flora Iranica, with seven Eremurus species recorded in Iran.

Recipes:
Razi referenced this adhesive as a binding agent in one of his alchemical recipes, while Biruni used the term to describe shoemakers' glue made from a plant's root called "sholl." This vegetable glue, well-known for its binding properties, was traditionally used for bookbinding in Iran. Three treatises—Ṣerāt al-Ṣoṭur (841 A.H./1437 A.D.-926 A.H./1520), Favāyed al-ḵoṭuṭ (995 A.H./1587 A.D.)., and Resāle dar Bayān-e Ḵaṭṭ va Morakkab va Kāḡaḏ va Sāḵtan-e Ranghā (13th A.H./19th A.D.)—rcommend the addition of eremurus glue (seriš) to starch paste, and this advice is presented in poetic form (see starch, neshaste).

The eminent calligrapher Solṭān Ali Mašhadi in Ṣerāt al-Ṣoṭur, devoted several couplets of his treatise on mixture of sizing used starch and eremurus glue and glazing paper by hands as follows:

در باب آهار ساختن و کاغذ آهار کردن

ساز آهار از نشاسته کن              بشنو این زپیر پخته سخن
اولاً کن خمیر و آب بریز            پس بجوشش دمی به آتش تیز
پس لعاب سرش به او کن ضم      صاف سازش نه نرم و نه محکم
رو به کاغذ بمال و سعی نمای      تا که کاغذ نیوفتد از جای
کاغذِ خویش چون دهی آهار        مال آبی به روی او زنهار

About producing sizing material and paper sizing

Creating size and sizing the paper's face,
Learn these steps, old wisdom embrace.

First, a paste from starch, let it flow,
Boil on fire's heat, watch it glow.

Add eremurus glue, to starch in line,
Strain it just right, not too thick, not too fine.

On paper, spread, hold it in space,
Secure its position, a measured grace.

Applying size, moisture's touch, beware,
Gently dampen the paper with diligent care.

There is a possibility that eremurus (seriš) has been used in pure form without mixing with starch paste for paper size, however in the Persian historical recipes under study no particular recipe was found.