مرخ

مَرْخٌ ذ [a coll. gen. n.] A certain kind of tree that quickly emits fire: (S, K:) it is of the kind called عِضَاه, and spreads, and grows high, so that people rest in its shade: it has neither leaves nor thorns, its branches being bare and slender twigs; and it grows in [ small water-courses such as are termed ] شُعَب, and in hard grounds: of it are made the wooden instruments for producing fire which are called زِنَاد: the n. un. is with ة (AHn, L) its shade is thin: (L:) there is no tree that surpasses the مرخ in yeilding fire: sometimes these trees are clustered and tangled together, and the wind blowing, and striking one part of them against another, they emit fire, and burn the valley: Aboo-Ziyád:) [the cynanchum viminale. (Spreng. Hist. rei. herb., p. 252: as mentioned by Freytag.)] It is said in a proverb, فِى كُلِّ شَجَرٍ نَارْ وَا@سْتَمْجَدَ المَرْخُ وَا@لْعَفَارْ [ In all trees is fire; but the markh and 'afár yield much fire ]: (S:) accord. to AHn, the meaning is, endeavour to strike fire with gentleness; for that will be sufficient if the زِنَاد be مَرْخ. (L.) See also عَفَارٌ, and استمجد. The عفار is the زَنْد, which is the upper [piece of the two which compose the زَنَاد]; and the مَرْخ is the lower. (S, L.) [See also another proverb at the end of art. دفل.] ― -b2- أَرْخِ يَدَيْكَ وَا@سْتَرْخِ اـِنَّ الزِّنَادَ مِن مَّرْخِ [ Relax thy hands, and relax thyself, for the wooden instrument for striking fire is of markh ]. A saying used with reference to a generous man who requires not to be importuned. (IAar, TA.)