cup. This Daffodill hath his long rush-like leaues standing vpright as the former betweene which riseth vp a greene stalke about a foote high or more bearing two or three flowers thereon whose turning leaues are of a faire pale yellow and the cuppe pale white and not so pure a white as the former 5. Narcissus Iuncifolius calice luteo reflexis folijs albidis The white turning Iunquilia with a yellow cup. As the last had the leaues of the flower that turne vp againe yellow and the cuppe whitish so this hath contrariwise the turning leaues of a whitish yellow and the long cup yellower else in his long green leaues or any other thing there is small difference 6. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus magno calice The Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill with a great cup. This Rush Daffodill hath bigger leaues and longer then the ordinary yellow Rush Daffodill being a little flat on the oneside and round on the other but of the same greennesse with all the rest the stalke riseth vp two foote high bearing two and sometimes three flowers thereon being of a faire yellow colour with a large open cup in the middle of a little deeper yellow colour like vnto the great Iunquilia with the large flower before set downe whereof this is a kinde no doubt but that is larger and greater then this both in leafe flower cup c. and this onely somewhat lesse in all parts then that 1 Narcissus Iuncifolius albus The white Iunquilia 2 Narcissus Iuncifolius flore albo reflexâ— The white turning Iunquilia 3 Narcissus Iuncifolius calice luteo reflexis folijs albis The yellow turning Iunquilia 4 Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus magno calice The yellow Iunquilia with a great cuppe 5 Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus maior vulgaris The ordinary yellow Iunquilia 6 Narcissus Iuncifolius Autumâ—alis flore viridi The greene Autumne Iunquilia 7 Narcissus angustifolius aureus multiplex The golden double narrow leafed Daffodill 8 Narcissus Iuncifolius flore pleno The double Iunquilie 7. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus vulgaris maior The ordinary Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill This ordinary Rush Daffodill hath foure or fiue long greene round leaues like vnto Rushes whereof it tooke the name among these leaues riseth vp the stalke round and greene a foote and a halfe high very often bearing at the toppe three or foure flowers all yellow but much smaller then the last and so is the cup also the seede is small and blacke inclosed in small cornered heads the roote is blackish on the outside The smell of the flower is very sweete in all these sorts of Rush Daffodils 8. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus medius The smaller Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill The leaues of this Daffodill are like vnto the former but smaller and rounder the stalke riseth not vp so high nor are the flowers so great but the leaues of the flower are a little rounder and not so pointed as in the former in all things else alike sauing lesser 9. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus minor The least Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill This least Daffodill hath fiue or six small greene leaues a little broader and not so long as the last among which riseth vp a stalke almost a foote high bearing one or two small flowers at the toppe of a paler yellow colour then the former with a yellow open cuppe or crowne rather in the middle bigger then in either of the last two the roote is very small and blacke like vnto the last in roundnesse and colour 10. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus albicantibus lineis distinctus The yellow Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill with white lines This Rush Daffodill hath round greene and long leaues like vnto the ordinary Rush Daffodill with a stalke bearing two or three yellow flowers hauing leaues somewhat round at the point or end with a line or strake of white in the middle of euerie one of them the cup is short and crowne fashion a little crumpled about the brims the seede roote or any thing else differeth not 11. Narcissus Iuncifolius Autumnalis flore viridi The Autumne Rush Daffodill with a greene flower This strange Rush Daffodill I call it strange not onely because it differeth from all others of this kinde but also because there are but few in these parts that haue had it and fewer that doe still enioy it in that it is perished withall that had it hath but one onely leafe very long round and greene in all that euer I saw growing which beareth no flower while that greene leafe is fresh and to bee seene but afterwards the stalke riseth vp being like vnto the former greene leafe round naked and greene vp to the toppe where two or three flowers breake forth out of a small thin skinne euery one consisting of six small and narrow greene leaues very sharpe pointed at the end and as it were ending in a small pricke or thorne in the middle whereof is a small round cup or rather crowne of the same colour with the leaues and stalke which flower smelleth very sweete somewhat like vnto the rest of the Rush Daffodils this sheweth not his flower vntill October and the frosts quickly following after their flowring cause them soone to perish 12. Narcissus angustifolius aureus multiplex The golden double narrow leafed Daffodill The leaues of this Daffodill are very narrow and of a whitish greene colour not aboue foure or fiue inches long from among which riseth vp a stalke about a foote high bearing at the top one flower consisting of some outer leaues which are of a yellow colour and of many other leaues in the middle being smaller and set thicke and round together of a more yellow gold colour but with some whiter leaues among them the middle part a little pointing forth the flower standeth long before it doth perfect his colour and abideth long in flower before the colour decay the roote is in fashion almost like the ordinary Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill I acknowledge this Daffodill hath not his proper place but because the figure is set in this table let it thus passe at this time 13. Narcissus Iuncifolius luteus flore pleno The double Iunquilia or Rush Daffodill The double Rush Daffodill hath his long greene leaues round like the leaues of the common or ordinary Rush Daffodill and of the same bignesse among which riseth vp a long slender greene stalke bearing two or three seldome more small flowers yellow and double that is with diuers rowes of leaues hauing the yellow cup such as is in the single flower broken into small shreads or peeces running among the leaues of the flower which peeces in some flowers are not so easily seene being smaller then in others this beareth no button or head vnder the flower for seede his roote is round and blackish browne on the outside so like vnto the common Rush Daffodill that it is almost impossible to know the one from the other There is another of this kinde whose flowers are smaller and not so double
said was brought from Constantinople The Time The two lesser sorts doe most commonly flower in February if the weather be any thing milde or at the furthest in the beginning of March but the first is seldome in flower before the other be well neare past or altogether The Names Lobel and Dodonaeus call the lesser kinde Leucoium triphyllum and Leuconarcissolirion triphyllum of the three leaues in the flower Some doe call it Viola bulbosa alba The first or greater kinde is called by Lobel Leuconarcissolirion paucioribus floribus and by Dodonaeus Leucoium bulbosum hexaphyllum We doe most vsually call them Leucoium bulbosum praecox maius minus The greater or the lesser early bulbous Violet In Dutch Somer Sottekens and not Druiskens which are Grape-flowers as some haue thought 1. Leucoium bulbosum Vernum minimum The small bulbous Violet of the Spring This small Leucoium sendeth forth his small and long greene leaues like haires in Autumne and before Winter which abide greene vntill Aprill and then wither away quite and about May there ariseth vp a naked slender stalke at the toppe whereof breake forth two small white flowers made of six leaues a peece hanging downe their heads the three inner leaues being a little larger then the three outward a little â—ed dish neare the stalke and very sweet the root is small and round and coâ—ered with a darke coate 2. Leucoium bulbosum Autumnâ—le The small Autumne bulbous Violet As the former small Leucoium sprang vp with his leaues without flowers in Autumne so this contrariwise riseth vp with his slender brownish stalke of flowers in Autumne before any greene leaues appeare whereon stand two or three very small snow white pendulous flowers consisting of six leaues a peece and a little reddish at the bottome of the flower next vnto the stalke so like vnto the former that one would take them to be both one after which there grow small browne heads containing small blacke round seed after the flower is past and the seede is ripening and sometimes after the heads are ripe the leaues begin to spring vp which when they are full growne are long greene and as small or smaller then the leaues of the Autumne Hyacinth which abide all the Winter and Spring following and wither away in the beginning of Summer the roote is small long and white 3. Leucoium maius bulbosum serotinum The great late flowring bulbous Violet The late bulbous Violet hath three or foure broad flat greene leaues very like vnto the first but longer among which riseth vp a flattish stalke being thicker in the middle then at both edges on the toppe whereof stand three or foure flowers hanging downe their heads consisting of six leaues a peece all of an equall length and bignesse wholly white except that each leafe hath a greene tippe at the end of them the seede hereof is blacke and round the roote is reasonable great and white The Place The two former small ones were first found in Spaine and Portugall and sent to me by Guillaume Boel but the first was so tender that scarce one of a score sprang with me or would abide The greatest haue beene found wilde in Germany and Austria The Time The small ones haue their times expressed in their titles and descriptions the last flowreth not vntill May. The Names These names that are set downe in their titles doe passe with all Herbarists in these daies The Vertues Wee haue not knowne these plants vsed Physically either inwardly or outwardly to any purposes in these dayes CHAP. XI Hyacinthus The Hyacinth or Iacinth THe Iacinths are next to be entreated of whereof there are many more kindes found out in these later times then formerly were knowne which for order and method sake I will digest vnder seuerall sorts as neare as I can that auoiding confusion by enterlacing one among another I may the better put euery sort vnder his owne kinde Hyacinthus Indicus maior tuberosa radice The greater Indian knobbed Iacinth I haue thought fittest to begin with this Iacinth both because it is the greatest and highest and also because the flowers hereof are in some likenesse neare vnto a Daffodill although his roote be tuberous and not bulbous as all the rest are This Indian Iacinth hath a thicke knobbed roote yet formed into seuerall heads somewhat like vnto bulbous rootes with many thicke fibres at the bottome of them from the diuers heads of this roote arise diuers strong and very tall stalkes beset with diuers faire long and broad leaues ioyned at the bottome close vnto the stalke where they are greatest and grow smaller to the very end and those that grow higher to the toppe being smaller and smaller which being broken there appeare many threeds like wooll in them the toppes of the stalkes are garnished with many faire large white flowers each whereof is composed of six leaues lying spread open as the flowers of the white Daffodill with some short threeds in the middle and of a very sweete sent or rather strong and headie Hyacinthus Indicus minor tuberosa radice The smaller Indian knobbed Iacinth The roote of this Iacinth is knobbed like the roote of Arum or Wake Robin from whence doe spring many leaues lying vpon the ground and compassing one another at the bottome being long and narrow and hollow guttered to the end which is small and pointed no lesse woolly or full of threeds then the former from the middle of these leaues riseth vp the stalke being very long and slender three or foure foot long so that without it be propped vp it will bend downe and lye vpon the ground whereon are set at certaine distances many short leaues being broad at the bottome where they doe almost compasse the stalke and are smaller toward the end where it is sharpe pointed at the top of the stalke stand many flowers with a small peece of a green leafe at the bottome of euery foot-stalke which seeme to bee like so many white Orientall Iacinths being composed of six leaues which are much thicker then the former with six chiues or threeds in the middle tipt with pale yellow pendents The Place They both grow naturally in the West Indies from whence being first brought into Spaine haue from thence been dispersed vnto diuers louers of plants The Time They flower not in these cold Countries vntill the middle of August or not at all if they bee not carefully preserued from the iniury of our cold Winters and then if the precedent Summer be hot it may be flower a moneth sooner The Names Clusius calleth the lesser for I thinke hee neuer saw the first Hyacinthus Indicus tuberosa radice that is in English The Indian Iacinth with a tuberous roote Some would call these Hyacinthus Eriophorus Indicus that is The Indian woolly Iacinth because they haue much wooll in them when they are broken yet some doe doubt that they are not two plants seuerall as of greater and lesser but that the
white chiues tipt with yellow pendents standing about a small three square head that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middest thereof the flower is pretty and sweete but not heady Ornithogalum luteum The yellow Starre of Bethlehem This yellow Starre-flower riseth vp at the first with one long round greenish leafe which openeth it selfe somewhat aboue the ground and giueth out another small leafe lesser and shorter then the first and afterward the stalke riseth from thence also being foure or fiue inches high bearing at the toppe three or foure small green leaues and among them foure or fiue small yellow starre-like flowers with a greenish line or streake downe the backe of euery leafe and some small reddish yellow threeds in the middle it seldome giueth seede the roote is round whitish and somewhat cleare very apt to perish if it bee any little while kept dry out of the ground as I haue twice tryed to my losse The Place The first grew in Portugall and Clusius first of all others desciphers it The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary in the moister grounds The Time The first flowreth in May the other in Aprill and sometimes in March The Names Carolus Clusius calleth the first Bulbus vnifolius or Bolbine but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any plant but as you see I haue ranked it with the small sorts of Ornithogalum and giue it the name accordingly The other is referred for likenesse of forme and not for colour vnto the Ornithogala or Starres of Bethlehem It is called by Tragus and Fuchsius Bulbus siluestris because of the obuiousnesse Cordus taketh it to be Sisyrinchium Lacuna calleth it Bulbus esculentus Lobel and others in these dayes generally Ornithogalum luteum and wee thereafter in English The yellow Starre-flower or Starre of Bethlehem The Vertues The first kinde being but lately found out is not knowne to be vsed The rootes of the common or vulgar are as Matthiolus saith much eaten by poore people in Italy either rawe or roasted being sweeter in taste then any Chesnut and seruing as well for a necessary food as for delight It is doubtfull whether any of the rest may be so vsed for I know not any in our Land hath made any experience There are many other sorts of Starre-flowers which are fitter for a generall then this History and therefore I referre them thereunto CHAP. XIII Moly Wilde Garlicke VNto the former Starre-flowers must needes bee ioyned another tribe or kindred which carry their straked flowers Starre-fashion not spikewise but in a tuft or vmbell thicke thrust or set together And although diuers of them smell not as the former but most of their first Grandfathers house yet all doe not so for some of them are of an excellent sent Of the whole Family there are a great many which I must leaue I will onely select out a few for this our Garden whose flowers for their beauty of statelinesse forme or colour are fit to bee entertained and take place therein euery one according to his worth and are accepted of with the louers of these delights 1. Moly Homericum vel potius Theophrasti The greatest Moly of Homer Homers Moly for so it is most vsually called with vs riseth vp most commonly with two and sometimes with three great thicke long and hollow guttured leaues of a whitish greene colour very neare the colour of the Tulipa leafe hauing sometimes at the end of some of the leaues and sometimes apart by it selfe a whitist round small button like vnto a small bulbe the like whereof also but greater doth grow betweene the bottome of the leaues and the stalke neare the ground which being planted when it is ripe will grow into a roote of the same kinde among these leaues riseth vp a round strong and tall stalke a yard high or better bare or naked vnto the toppe where it beareth a great tuft or vmbell of pale purplish flowers all of them almost standing vpon equall foot-stalkes or not one much higher then another consisting of fiue leaues a peece striped downe the backe with a small pale line hauing a round head or vmbone with some threeds about it in the midst These flowers doe abide a great while blowne before they vade which smell not very strong like any Onion or Garlicke but of a faint smell and after they are past come the seede which is blacke wrapped in white close huskes the roote groweth very great sometimes bigger then any mans closed fist smelling strong like Garlicke whitish on the outside and greene at the toppe if it be but a while bare from the earth about it 2. Moly Indicum siue Caucafon The Indian Moly The Indian Moly hath such like thicke large leaues as the Homers Moly hath but shorter and broader in the middle whereof riseth vp a short weake stalke almost flat not hauing any flowers vpon it but a head or cluster of greenish scaly bulbes inclosed at the first in a large thinne skinne which being open euery bulbe sheweth it selfe standing close one vnto another vpon his foot-stalke of the bignesse of an Acorne which being planted will grow to bee a plant of his owne kinde the roote is white and great couered with a darke coate or skinne which encreaseth but little vnder ground but besides that head it beareth small bulbes aboue the ground at the bottome of the leaues next vnto the stalke like vnto the former The Place Both these doe grow in diuers places of Spaine Italy and Greece for the last hath been sent out of Turkie among other rootes Ferrantes Imperatus a learned Apothecary of Naples sent it to diuers of his friends in these parts and hath described it in his naturall history among other plants printed in the Italian tongue It grew also with Iohn Tradescante at Canterbury who sent me the head of bulbes to see and afterwards a roote to plant it in my Garden The Time The first flowreth in the end of May and abideth vnto the midst of Iuly and sometimes longer The other beareth his head of bulbes in Iune and Iuly The Names We haue receiued them by their names expressed in their titles yet the last hath also been sent by the name of Ornithogalum Italicum but as all may easily see it is not of that kindred 1. Moly montanum Pannonicum bulbiferum primum The first bulbed Moly of Hungary This first Hungarian Moly hath three or foure broad and long greene leaues folded together at the first which after open themselues and are carried vp with the stalke standing thereon one aboue another which is a foote high at the toppe whereof doe grow a few sad reddish bulbes and betweene them long footstalkes bearing flowers of a pale purplish colour after which followeth blacke seede inclosed in roundish heads the roote is not great but white on the outside very like vnto the roote of Serpents Moly hereafter described encreasing much vnder
with the last described and others also from Spain riseth vp with one long greene leafe hollow and round vnto the end towards this end on the one side breaketh out a head of flowers enclosed in a thinne skinne which after it hath so stood a good while the leafe in the meane time rising higher and growing harder becommeth the stalke breaketh and sheweth a great bush or head of buds for flowers thicke thrust together fashioned very like vnto the forme of a Pineapple from whence I gaue it the name of the bigness of a Walnut after this head hath stood in this manner a moneth or thereabouts the flowers shew themselues to bee of a fine delayed or whitish purple colour with diuers stripes in euery of them of the same cup-fashion with the former but not opening so plainly so that they cannot bee discerned to bee open without good heede and obseruation It flowreth so late in Autumne that the early frosts doe quickly spoile the beauty of it and soone cause it to rotte the roote is small and round and shining like the last very tender also as not able to abide our sharpe Winters which hath caused it vtterly to perish with me 12. Moly Dioscorideum Dioscorides his Moly The roote of this small Moly is transparent within but couered with a thicke yellowish skinne of the bignesse of an Hasell Nut or somewhat bigger which sendeth forth three or foure narrow grassie leaues long and hollow and a little bending downwards of a whitish greene colour among which riseth vp a slender weake stalke a foot and a halfe high bearing at the toppe out of a thinne skinne a tuft of milke white flowers very like vnto those of Ramsons which stand a pretty while in their beauty and then passe away for the most part without giuing any seede this hath little or no sent of Garlicke We haue another of this sort that is lesser and the flowers rounder pointed 13. Moly Dioscorideum Hispanicum The Spanish Moly of Dioscorides This Moly came vnto me among other Molyes from Spaine and is in all things like vnto the last described but fairer larger and of much more beauty as hauing his white flowers twice as great as the former but as it seemeth very impatient of our Winters which it could not at any hand endure but quickly perished as some others that came with it also 14. Moly Moschatinum vel Zibettinum Monspeliense The sweete smelling Moly of Mompelier This sweete Moly which I haue kept for the last to close vp your senses is the smallest and the finest of all the rest hauing foure or fiue small greene leaues almost as fine as haires or like the leaues of the Feather-grasse the stalke is about a foote high bearing fiue or six or more small white flowers laid open like Starres made of six leaues a peece of an excellent sweete sent resembling Muske or Ciuet for diuers haue diuersly censured of it It flowreth late in the yeare so that if the precedent Summer bee either ouer moist or the Autumne ouer early cold this will not haue that sweete sent that it will haue in a hot drie time and besides must be carefully respected for it will hardly abide the extremity of our sharpe Winters The Place The places of these Molyes are for the most part expressed in their titles or in their descriptions The Time The time is set downe for the most part to bee in Iune and Iuly the rest later The Names To make further relation of names then are expressed in their tiles were needlesse let these therefore suffice The Vertues All these sorts of Molyes are small kindes of wilde Garlicke and are to be vsed for the same purposes that the great Garden Garlicke is although much weaker in their effects For any other especiall property is in any of these more than to furnish a Garden of variety I haue not heard at all And thus much may suffice of these kindes for our Garden reseruing manie others that might be spoken of to a generall worke or to my Garden of Simples which as God shall enable me and time giue leaue may shew it self to the world to abide the iudicious and criticke censures of all CHAP. XIIII Asphodelus The Asphodill THere remaine some other flowers like vnto the last described to be specified which although they haue no bulbous rootes yet I thinke them fittest to bee here mentioned that so I may ioyne those of neerest similitude together vntill I haue finished the rest that are to follow 1. Asphodelus maior albus ramosus The great white branched Asphodill The great white Asphodill hath many long and narrow hollow three square leaues sharpe pointed lying vpon the ground round about the roote the stalke is smooth round and naked without leaues which riseth from the midst of them diuided at the toppe into diuers branches if the plant bee of any long continuance or else but into two or three small branches from the sides of the maine great one whereon doe stand many large flowers Starre-fashion made of six leaues a peece whitish on the inside and straked with a purplish line downe the backside of euery leafe hauing in the middle of the flowers some small yellow threeds the seede is blacke and three square greater then the seede of Bucke wheate contained in roundish heads which open into three parts the roote is composed of many tuberous long clogges thickest in the middle and smaller at both ends fastened together at the head of a darke grayish colour on the outside and yellow within 2. Asphodelus albus non ramosus The white vnbranched Aspodill The vnbranched Asphodill is like vnto the former both in leaues and flowers but that the flowers of this are whiter and without any line or strake on the backe side and the stalkes are without branches the rootes likewise are smaller and fewer but made after the same fashion 3. Asphodelus maior flore carneo The blush coloured Asphodill This Asphodill is like to the last in forme of leaues and branches and differeth in this that his leaues are marked with some spots and the flowers are of a blush or flesh colour in all other things alike 4. Asphodelus minimus albus The least white Asphodill This least Asphodill hath foure or fiue very narrow long leaues yet seeming three square like the greatest bearing a small stalke of about a foote high among them without any branches and at the toppe a few white flowers straked both within and without with a purplish line in the middle of euery leafe The rootes are such like tuberous clogges as are in the former but much lesser 5. Asphodelus albus minor siue Fistulosus The little hollow white Aspnodill This little white Asphodill hath a number of leaues growing thicke together thicker and greener then those of the small yellow Asphodill or Kings Speare next following among which riseth vp diuers round stalkes bearing flowers from the middle to the toppe Starre-fashion
Lilly last described but much greater then in any other of the Spider-worts of a pure white colour with some threeds in the middle tipt with yellow and a small forked pointell after the flowers are past the heads or seede vessels grow almost three square yet somewhat round wherein is contained blackish seede the rootes are many white round thicke brittle strings ioyned together at the head but are nothing so long as the rootes of the other Phalangia or Spider-worts 2. Phalangium maius Italicum album The great Italian Spider-wort This great Spider-wort hath diuers long and narrow leaues spread vpon the ground and not rising vp as the former and not so broad also as the former but somewhat larger then those that follow the stalke is bigger but seldome riseth vp so as the next whereof this is a larger kinde hauing a long vnbranched stalke of white flower laid open like starres as it hath but somewhat greater the rootes are long and white like the next but somewhat larger 3. Phalangium non ramosum vulgare Vnbranched Spider-wort The leaues of this Spider-wort doe seeme to bee little bigger or longer then the leaues of grasse but of a more grayish green colour rising immediately from the head or tuft of rootes among which rise vp one or two stalkes sometimes two or three foote long beset toward the toppe with many white Starre-like flowers which after they are past turne into small round heads containing blacke feede like vnto the seed of the little yellow Asphodill but lesser the rootes are long white strings running vnder ground 4. Phalangium ramosum Branched Spider-wort The branched Spider-wort hath his leaues somewhat broader then the former and of a more yellowish greene colour the stalke hereof is diuersly branched at the top bearing many white flowers like vnto the former but smaller the seedes and rootes are like the former in all things 1 Phalangium Allobrogicum The Sauoye Spider-wort 2 Phalangium non ramosum Vnbranched Spider-wort 3 Phalangium ramosum Branched Spider-wort 4 Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum Iohn Tradescante's Spider-wort The Place The first groweth on the Hils neare vnto Sauoye from whence diuers allured with the beauty of the flower haue brought it into these parts The second came vp in my Garden from the seede receiued out of Italy The others grow in Spaine France c. The Time The vnbranched Spider-wort most commonly flowreth before all the other and the branched a moneth after it the other two about one time that is towards the end of May and not much after the vnbranched kinde The Names The first as I said before hath beene taken to be a white Lilliasphodill and called Liliasphodelus flore albo but Clusius hath more properly entituled it a Phalangium and from the place of his originall gaue him his other denomination and so is called of most as is set downe in the title The other haue no other names then are expressed in their titles but only that Cordus calleth them Liliago and Dodonaeus lib. 4. hist. plant would make the branched kinde to bee Moly alterum Plinij but without any good ground The Vertues The names Phalangium and Phalangites were imposed on these plants because they were found effectuall to cure the poyson of that kinde of Spider called Phalangium as also of Scorpions and other Serpents Wee doe not know that any Physitian hath vsed them to any such or any other purpose in our dayes 5. Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum Ioannis Tradescant The soon fading Spider-wort of Virginia or Tradescant his Spider-wort This Spider-wort is of late knowledge and for it the Christian world is indebted vnto that painfull industrious searcher and louer of all natures varieties Iohn Tradescant sometimes belonging to the right Honourable Lord Robert Earle of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England in his time and then vnto the right Honourable the Lord Wotton at Canterbury in Kent and lastly vnto the late Duke of Buckingham who first receiued it of a friend that brought it out of Virginia thinking it to bee the Silke Grasse that groweth there and hath imparted hereof as of many other things both to me and others the description whereof is as followeth From a stringie roote creeping farre vnder ground and rising vp againe in many places springeth vp diuers heads of long folded leaues of a grayish ouer-worne greene colour two or three for the most part together and not aboue compassing one another at the bottome and abiding greene in many places all the Winter otherwhere perishing and rising anew in the Spring which leaues rise vp with the great round stalke being set thereon at the ioynts vsually but one at a ioynt broad at the bottome where they compasse the stalke and smaller and smaller to the end at the vpper ioynt which is the toppe of the stalke there stand two or three such like leaues but smaller from among which breaketh out a dozen sixteene or twenty or more round green heads hanging downe their heads by little foot-stalkes which when the flower beginneth to blow open groweth longer and standeth vpright hauing three small pale greene leaues for a huske and three other leaues within them for the flower which lay themselues open flat of a deepe blew purple colour hauing an vmbone or small head in the middle closely set about with six reddish hairy or feathered threeds tipt with yellow pendents this flower openeth it selfe in the day shutteth vsually at night and neuer openeth againe but perisheth and then hangeth downe his head againe the greene huske of three leaues closing it selfe againe into the forme of a head but greater as it was before the middle vmbone growing to bee the seede vessell wherein is contained small blackish long seede Seldome shall any man see aboue one or two at the most of these flowers blowne open at one time vpon the stalke whereby it standeth in flowring a long time before all the heads haue giuen out their flowers The Place This plant groweth in some parts of Virginia and was deliuered to Iohn Tradescant The Time It flowreth from the end of May vntill Iuly if it haue had greene leaues all the Winter or otherwise vntill the Winter checke his luxuriousnesse The Names Vnto this plant I confesse I first imposed the name by considering duely all the parts thereof which vntill some can finde a more proper I desire may still continue and to call it Ephemerum Virginianum Tradescanti Iohn Tradescante's Spider-wort of Virginia or Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum The soone fading or Day Spider-wort of Virginia The Vertues There hath not beene any tryall made of the properties since wee had it nor doe we know whether the Indians haue any vse thereof CHAP. XVI Colchicum Medowe Saffron TO returne to the rest of the bulbous and tuberous rooted plants that remaine to bee entreated of the Colchica or Medowe Saffrons are first to bee handled whereof these later dayes haue found out more varieties then formerly were knowne some flowring in
before his Satyrium tryphillum is the Tulipa without all doubt yet because it differeth very notably and carrieth more beauty and respect in his flower then they I shall entreate thereof in a Chapter by it selfe and set it next vnto them Dens Caninus flore albo Dogs tooth Violet with a white flower The white Dogs tooth hath for his roote a white bulbe long and small yet vsually greater then either of the other that follow bigger belowe then aboue with a small peece adioyning to the bottome of it from whence rise vp in the beginning of the Spring after the Winter frosts are past two leaues for the most part when it will flower or else but one and neuer three together that euer I saw closed together when they first come vp out of the ground which inclose the flower betweene them the leaues when they are opened do lay themselues flat on the ground or not much aboue it one opposite vnto the other with the stalke and the flower on it standing betweene them which leaues are of a whitish greene colour long and narrow yet broader in the middle then at both ends growing lesse by degrees each way spotted and striped all ouer the leaues with white lines and spots the stalke riseth vp halfe a foote high or more bearing at the toppe one flower and no more hanging downe the head larger then any of the other of this kinde that follow made or consisting of six white long and narrow leaues turning themselues vp againe after it hath felt the comfort of the Sunne that they doe almost touch the stalke againe very like vnto the flowers of Cyclamen or Sowebread it hath in the middle of the flower six white chiues tipt with darke purple pendents and a white three forked stile in the middle of them the flower hath no sent at all but commendable onely for the beauty and forme thereof after the flower is past commeth in the place a round head seeming three square containing therein small and yellowish seede Dens Caninus flore purpurascente Dogs tooth with a pale purple flower This other Dogs tooth is like vnto the former but lesser in all parts the leafe whereof is not so long but broad and short spotted with darker lines and spots the flower is like the other but smaller and of a delayed purple colour very pale sometimes and sometimes a little deeper turning it selfe as the other with a circle round about the vmbone or middle the chiues hereof are not white but declining to purple the roote is white and like vnto the former but lesser as is said before Dens Caninus flore rubro Dogs tooth with a red flower This is in all things like vnto the last both for forme and bignesse of flower and leafe the chiefe difference consisteth in this that the leaues hereof are of a yellowish mealy greene colour spotted and streaked with redder spots and stripes and the flower of a deeper reddish purple colour and the chiues also more purplish then the last in all other things it is alike The Place The sorts of Dens Caninus doe growe in diuers places some in Italy on the Euganean Hils others on the Apenine and some about Gratz the chiefe Citie of Stiria and also about Bayonne and in other places The Time They flower in March most vsually and many times in Aprill according to the seasonablenesse of the yeare The Names Clusius did call it first Dentali and Lobel and from him some others Satyrium and Erythronium but I haue said enough hereof in the beginning of the Chapter It is most commonly called Dens Caninus and we in English either Dogs tooth or Dogs tooth Violet Gesner called it Hermodactylus and Matthiolus Pseudohermodactylus The Vertues The roote hereof is held to bee of more efficacy for venereous effects then any of the Orchides and Satyrions They of Stiria vse the rootes for the falling sicknesse Wee haue had from Virginia a roote sent vnto vs that wee might well iudge by the forme and colour thereof being dry to be either the roote of this or of an Orchis which the naturall people hold not onely to be singular to procure lust but hold it as a secret loth to reueale it CHAP. XXIIII Cyclamen Sowebread THe likenesse of the flowers and the spotting of the leaues of the Dens Caninus with these of the Cyclamen or Sowebread maketh mee ioyne it next thereunto as also that after the bulbous rooted plants I might begin with the tuberous that remaine and make this plant the beginning of them Of this kinde there are diuers sorts differing both in forme of leaues and time of flowring for some doe flower in the Spring of the yeare others afterwards in the beginning of Summer but the most number in the end of Summer or beginning of Autumne or Haruest whereof some haue round leaues others cornered like vnto Iuie longer or shorter greater or smaller Of them all in order and first of those that come in the Spring 1. Cyclamen Vernum flore purpureo Purple flowred Sowebread of the Spring This Sowebread hath a smaller roote then most of the others yet round and blackish on the outside as all or most of the rest are I speake of them that I haue seene for Clusius and others doe report to haue had very great ones from whence rise vp diuers round yet pointed leaues and somewhat cornered withall greene aboue and spotted with white spots circlewise about the leafe and reddish vnderneath which at their first comming vp are folded together among which come the flowers of a reddish purple colour and very sweete euery one vpon a small long and slender reddish foote-stalke which hanging downe their heads turne vp their leaues againe after the flowers are past the head or seede vessell shrinketh downe winding his footestalke and coyling it selfe like a cable which when it toucheth the ground there abideth hid among the leaues till it be growne great and ripe wherein are contained a few small round seedes which being presently sowne will growe first into round rootes and afterwards from them shoote forth leaues 2. Cyclamen Vernum flore albo White flowred Sowebread of the Spring The white flowring Sowebread hath his leaues like the former but not fully so much cornered bearing small snow white flowers as sweete as the other and herein consisteth the chiefest difference in all other things it is alike 3. Cylamen Vernum Creticum flore albo White Candy Sowebread of the Spring This Sowebread is somewhat like the former white kinde but that the leaues grow much larger and longer with more corners at the edges and more eminent spots on them the flowers also somewhat longer and larger and herein consisteth the whole difference 4. Cyclamen Aestivum Summer Sowebread Summer Sowebread hath round leaues like vnto the Romane Sowebread but somewhat cornered yet with shorter corners then the Iuie leafed Sowebread full of white spots on the vpperside of the leaues and very purple vnderneath sometimes they
store The Place All these grow naturally on Mountaines in many shadowie places of the Alpes in Germany and elsewhere The Time The first flowreth as is said in Ianuary and February and sometimes vntill March be well spent and the seede is soone ripe after The other three flower not vntill Iune and Iuly The Names The first is vsually called Aconitum hyemale Belgarum Lobelius calleth it Bulbosus vnifolius Batrachoides Aconitum Elleboraceum and Ranunculus Monophyllos and some by other names Most Herbarists call it Aconitum hyemale and we in English thereafter Winters Wolfesbane and of some Yellow Aconite The second is called by most Writers Aconitum luteum Ponticum Some also Lupicida Luparia and Canicida of the effect in killing Wolues and Dogs And some because the flower is more white then yellow doe call it Aconitum flore albido we call it in English The whitish yellow Aconite or Wolfesbane but some after the Latine name The yellow Wolfesbane The third is called generally Napellus and Verus because it is the true Napellus of the ancient Writers which they so termed from the forme of a Turnep called Napus in Latine The fourth is called Aconitum Salutiferum Napellus Moysis Antora and Anthora quasi Antithora that is the remedy against the poisonfull herbe Thora in English according to the title eyther wholsome Helmet flower or counterpoison Monkes hood The Vertues Although the first three sorts of plants be very poisonfull and deadly yet there may bee very good vse made of them for sore eyes being carefully applyed yet not to all sorts of sore eyes neither without discretion if the distilled water be dropped therein The rootes of the counterpoison Monkes hood are effectuall not onely against the poison of the poisonfull Helmet flower and all others of that kinde but also against the poison of all venemous beasts the plague or pestilence and other infectious diseases which raise spots pockes or markes in the outward skinne by expelling the poison from within and defending the heart as a most soueraigne Cordiall It is vsed also with good successe against the wormes of the belly and against the paines of the Wind collick CHAP. XXVII Ranunculus The Crowfoote NExt vnto the Aconites of right are to follow the Ranunculi or Crowfeete for the nearenesse both of forme of leaues and nature of the plants although lesse hurtfull yet all of them for the most part being sharpe and exulcerating and not without some danger if any would be too bold with them The whole Family of the Ranunculi is of a very large extent and I am constrained within the limits of a Garden of Pleasure I must therefore select out onely such as are fit for this purpose and set them here downe for your knowledge leauing the rest for that other generall worke which time may perfect and bring to light if the couetous mindes of some that should be most affected towards it doe not hinder it or if the helpe of generous spirits would forward it 1. Ranunculus montanus albus humilior The lowe white mountaine Crowfoot This lowe Crowfoote hath three or foure broad and thicke leaues almost round yet a little cut in and notched about the edges of a fine greene and shining colour on the vpperside and not so green vnderneath among which riseth a small short stalke bearing one snow white flower on the toppe made of fiue round pointed leaues with diuers yellow threads in the middle standing about a greene head which in time groweth to be full of seede in forme like vnto a small greene Strawberry the roote is composed of many white strings Duplici flore There is another of this lowe kinde whose leaues are somewhat more deeply cut in on the edges and the flower larger and sometimes a little double as it were with two rowes of leaues in other things not differing from the former 2. Ranunculus montanus albus maior vel elatior The great single white mountaine Crowfoote The leaues of this Crowfoote are large and greene cut into three and sometimes into fiue speciall diuisions and each of them besides cut or notched about the edges somewhat resembling the leaues of the Globe Crowfoote but larger the stalke is two foote and a halfe high hauing three small leaues set at the ioynt of the stalke where it brancheth out into flowers which stand foure or fiue together vpon long foote-stalkes made of fiue white leaues a peece very sweete and somewhat larger then the next white Crowfoote with some yellow threads in the middle compassing a greene head which bringeth seede like vnto other wilde Crowfeete the roote hath many long thicke whitish strings comming from a thicke head 3. Ranunculus montanus albus minor The lesser single white Crowfoote This Crowefoote hath faire large spread leaues cut into fiue diuisions and somewhat notched about the edges greene on the vpperside and paler vnderneath hauing many veines running through the leaues the stalke of this riseth not so high as the former although this be reasonable tall as being neare two foote high spread into many branches bearing such like white flowers as in the former but smaller the seede of this is like the former and so are the rootes likewise 4. Ranunculus albus flore pleno The double white Crowfoot The double white Crowfoote is of the same kinde with the last single white Crowfoote hauing such like leaues in all respects the onely difference is in the flowers which in this are very thicke and double Some doe make mention of two sorts of double white Crowfeete one somewhat lower then another and the lower likewise bearing more store of flowers and more double then the higher but I confesse I haue neuer seene but one sort of double which is the same here expressed not growing very high and reasonably well stored with flowers 5. Ranunculus praecox Rutaefolio siue Coriandrifolio The early Coriander leafed Crowfoote This Crowfoote hath three or foure very greene leaues cut and diuided into many small peeces like vnto the wing of leaues of Rue or rather like the lower leaues of the Coriander for they well resemble either of them euery of them standing vpon a long purplish stalke at the toppe whereof groweth the flower alone being composed or made of twelue small white leaues broad pointed and a little endented at the ends somewhat purplish on the outside and white on the inside sustained by diuers small greene leaues which are in stead of a cup or huske in the middle of the flower are many small white threads tipt with yellow pendents standing about a small greene head which after groweth to bee full of seedes like a Strawberry which knobs giue small blackish seede the roote is white and fibrous 6. Ranunculus Thalictrifolio maior The great colombine leafed Crowfoot The lower leaues of this Crowfoote haue long stalkes and are very like vnto the smaller leaues of Colombines or the great Spanish Thalictrum which hath his leaues very like vnto a
or woolly long greene leaues abiding greene all the winter and in the end of the spring or beginning of summer shooteth forth two or three hard round woolly stalkes with some ioynts thereon and at euery ioynt two such like hoary greene leaues as those below but smaller diuersly branched at the toppe hauing one flower vpon each seuerall long foot stalke consisting of fiue leaues somewhat broade and round pointed of a perfect red crimson colour standing out of a hard long round huske ridged or crested in foure or fiue places after the flowers are fallen there come vp round hard heads wherein is contained small blackish seed the roote is small long and wooddy with many fibres annexed vnto it and shooteth forth anew oftentimes yet perisheth often also 2. Lychnis Coronaria alba simplex The white Rose Campion The white Rose Campion is in all things like the red but in the colour of the flower which in this is of a pure white colour 3. Lichnis Coronaria albescens siue incarnata maculata non maculata The blush Rose Campion spotted and not spotted Like vnto the former also are these other sorts hauing no other difference to distinguish them but the flowers which are of a pale or bleake whitish blush colour especially about the brims as if a very little red were mixed with a great deale of white the middle of the flower being more white the one being spotted all ouer the flower with small spots and streakes the other not hauing any spot at all 4. Lychnis Coronaria rubra multiplex The double red Rose Campion The double red Rose Campion is in all respects like vnto the single red kinde but that this beareth double flowers consisting of two or three rowes of leaues at the most which are not so large as the single and the whole plant is more tender that is more apt to perish then any of the single kindes 5. Lychnis Chalcedonica flore simplici miniato Single Nonesuch or Flower of Bristow or Constantinople This Campion of Constantinople hath many broad and long greene leaues among which rise vp sundry stiffe round hairy ioynted stalks three foot high with two leaues euery ioynt the flowers stand at the toppes of them very many together in a large tuft or vmbell consisting of fiue small long leaues broade pointed and notched-in in the middle of a bright red orenge colour which being past there come in their places small hard whitish heads or seede vessels containing blacke seede like vnto the seede of sweet Williams and hauing but a small sent the roote is very stringie fastening it selfe very strongly in the ground whereby it is much encreased Of the single kinde there is also two or three other sorts Flore albo differing chiefly in the colour of the flowers The one is pure white Another is of a blush colour wholly Et carneo without variation And a third is very variable for at the first it is of a pale red Versicolor and after a while groweth paler vntill in the end it become almost fully white and all these diuersities of the flowers are sometimes to bee seene on one stalke at one and the same time 6. Lychnis Chalcedonica flore miniato pleno Double Flower of Bristow or Nonesuch This glorious flower being as rare as it is beautifull is for rootes beeing stringie for leaues and stalkes being hairy and high and for the flowers growing in tufts altogether like the first single kinde but herein consisteth the chiefest difference that this beareth a larger vmbell or tuft of flowers at the toppe of the stalke euery flower consisting of three or foure rowes of leaues of a deeper orenge colour then it which addeth the more grace vnto it but passeth away without bearing seede as most other double flowers doe yet recompenceth that defect with encrease from the roote 7. Lychnis plumaria siluestris simplex multiplex The featherd wilde Campion single and double The leaues of this wilde Campion are somewhat like the ordinary white wilde Campion but not so large or rather resembling the leaues of sweete Williams but that they grow not so close nor so many together the stalkes haue smaller leaues at the ioynts then those belowe and branched at the toppe with many pale but bright red flowers iagged or cut in on the edges like the feathered Pinke whereof some haue taken it to be a kinde and some for a kinde of wilde William but yet is but a wilde Campion as may be obserued both by his huske that beareth the flowers and by the grayish roundish seede being not of the Family of Pinkes and Gillowers but as I said of the Campions the roote is full of strings or fibres Flore pleno The double kinde is very like vnto the single kinde but that it is lower and smaller and the flowers very double 8. Lychnis siluestris flore pleno rubro Red Batchelours buttons The double wilde Campion which of our Countrey Gentlewomen is called Batchelours buttons is very like both in rootes leaues stalkes and flowers vnto the ordinary wilde red Campion but somewhat lesser his flowers are not iagged but smooth and very thicke and double so that most commonly it breaketh his short huske wherein the flower standeth on the one side seldome hauing a whole huske and are of a reddish colour 9. Lychnis siluestris flore albo pleno White Batchelours buttons As the leaues of the former double Campion was like vnto the single kinde that had red flowers so this hath his leaues like vnto the single white kinde differing in no other thing from it but in the doublenesse of the flowers which by reason of the multiplicity of leaues in them thrusting forth together breaketh his huskes wherein the flowers doe stand as the other doth and hath scarce one flower in many that is whole 10. Ocymoides arborea semper virens Strange Bassil Campion This Strange Campion for thereunto it must bee referred shooteth forth many round whitish wooddy but brittle stalkes whereon stand diuers long and somewhat thicke leaues set by couples narrow at the bottome and broader toward the point of a very faire greene and shining colour so that there is more beauty in the greene leaues which doe so alwaies abide then in the flowers which are of a pale red or blush colour consisting of fiue small long broad pointed leaues notched in the middle which doe not lye close but loosly as it were hanging ouer the huskes after the flowers are past there come heads that containe blackish seede the roote is small hard white and threadie 11. Muscipula Lobelij siue Ben rubrum Monspeliensium Lobels Catch Flie. I must needes insert this small plant to finish this part of the Campions whereunto it belongeth being a pretty toye to furnish and decke out a Garden It springeth vp if it haue beene once sowne and suffered to shed in the later end of the yeare most commonly or else in the Spring with
former Tode Flaxe but much larger and without any heele or spurre of a faire white colour with a yellow spot in the mouth or gaping place after the flowers are past there come vp in their places hard round seede vessels fashioned somewhat like vnto a Calues head the snout being cut off wherein is contained small blacke seede the rootes are many white strings which perish in most places after they haue giuen seede notwithstanding any care or paines taken with them to preserue them aliue and yet they will abide in some places where they are defended in the Winter 2. Antirrhinum purpureum siue roseum Purple Snapdragon The purple Snapdragon is in stalkes leaues and flowers altogether like the former and as large and great in euery part or greater the only difference is that this beareth pale Stammell or Rose coloured flowers with a yellow spot in the mouth and sometimes of a paler colour almost blush 3. Antirrhinum variegatum Variable Snapdragon This variable kinde is somewhat lesse and tenderer then the last described hauing also a reddish or blush coloured flower lesser then the former but much bigger then the middle kinde of Snapdragon which is not set downe in this worke the yellow spot in the mouth of it hath some white about it and extending to both sides of the spot the heads and seede are like the former the rootes are smaller but neuer will abide after they haue giuen flowers and seede 4. Antirrhinum luteum Yellow Snapdragon There is likewise another of these kindes that beareth leaues as large as any of the former very faire yellow flowers as large likewise as they not differing in any thing else from the first let not any therefore imagine this to be a Linaria or Tode Flaxe for all parts are answerable vnto the Snapdragons The Place All these are nourished with vs in our Gardens although in Spaine and Italy they are found growing wilde The Time They flower for the most part the second yeare after the sowing from Aprill vntill Iuly and the seede is quickly ripe after The Names The name Antirrhinum is vsually giuen to this plant although it fully agreeth not eyther with the description of Dioscorides or Theophrastus It hath also diuers other names in Latine as Orontium Canis cerebrum Os Leonis Leo herba c. In English Calues snout from the forme of the seede vessels and Snapdragon or Lyons mouth from the forme of the flowers The Vertues They are seldome or neuer vsed in Physicke by any in our dayes CHAP. XLV Chamaenerium flore delphinij The Willowe flower THis plant riseth vp with many strong woddy round brownish great stalkes three or foure foote high beset here and there without order with one broad and long whitish greene leafe at a ioynt somewhat like vnto a Lysimachia or Willow herbe as also vnto a Peach leafe but larger and longer at the toppe of the branches stand many flowers one aboue another of a pale reddish purple colour consisting of fiue leaues spread open with an heele or spurre behinde them with many yellow threads in the middle much larger then any flower of the Larkes spurres and smelling somewhat sweete withall it beareth a shew of long pods with seede but I could neuer obserue the seede the rootes are like the rootes of Lysimachia or the ordinary yellow Loose-strife or Willowe herbe but greater running and spreading vnder ground and shooting vp in many places whereby it filleth a ground that it likes quickly the stalkes dye downe euery yeare and spring againe in many places farre asunder The Place Wee haue not knowne where this Willowe flower groweth naturally but we haue it standing in an out corner of our Gardens to fill vp the number of delightfull flowers The Time It flowreth not vntill May and abideth a long while flowring The Names It may seeme to diuers that this is that plant that Dodonaeus called Pseudolysimachium purpureum minus and Lobel seemeth by the name of Delphinium buccinum to aime at this plant but withall calleth it Chamaenerium Gâ—sneri and giueth the same figure that Dodonaeus hath for his Pseudolysimachium But that is one kinde of plant which hath smaller and shorter stalkes and very narrow long leaues whose flowers stand vpon long slender cods full of downe with reddish seede like vnto the Lysimachia siliquosa siluestris and rootes that abide many yeares but creepe not and this is another much greater whose true figure is not extant in any Author that I know It is vsually called Chamaenerium flore delphinij but the name of Delphinium buccinum in my minde may not so conueniently be applyed vnto it It is called in English The Willowe flower for the likenesse of the leaues and the beauty and respect of the flowers The Vertues There is no vse hereof in Physicke that euer I could learne but is onely cherished among other sorts of flowers that serue to decke and set forth a Garden of varieties CHAP. XLVI Aquilegia Colombines THere are many sorts of Colombines as well differing in forme as colour of the flowers and of them both single and double carefully noursed vp in our Gardens for the delight both of their forme and colours 1. Aquilegia vulgaris flore simplici Single Colombines Because the whole difference of these Colombines standeth in the varieties of the forme and colour of the flowers and little in the leaues I shall not neede to make anie repetitions of the description of them seeing one onely shall suffice for each peculiar kinde The Colombine hath diuers large spread leaues standing on long stalkes euery one diuided in seuerall partitions and roundly endented about the edges in colour somewhat like the leaues of Celondine that is of a darke blewish greene colour the stalkes rise vp sometimes two or three foote high diuided vsually into many branches bearing one long diuided leafe at the lower ioynt aboue which the flowers growe euery one standing on a long stalke consisting of fiue hollow leaues crooked or horned at the ends turning backward the open flower shewing almost like vnto a Cinquefoile but more hollow after the flowers are past there arise small long cods foure or fiue together wherein are contained blacke shining seede the rootes are thicke and round for a little space within the ground and then diuided into branches ending in many small fibres abiding many yeares and shooting a fresh euery Spring from the round heads that abide all the Winter The variety of the colours of these flowers are very much for some are wholly white some of a blew or violet colour others of a blush or flesh colour or deepe or pale red or of a dead purple or dead murrey colour as nature listeth to shew it selfe 2. Aquilegia vulgaris flore pleno Double Colombines The double Colombines differ not in leafe or manner of growing from the single so that vntill they come to flower they cannot bee discerned one from another the onely difference is it beareth
and encrease much Thalictrum Montanum purpureum Purple tufted Colombines This purple tufted Colombine differeth onely from the former in that it is not so high nor so large and that the colour of the flower or tuft is of a blewish purple colour with yellow tips and is much more rare then the other The Place These grow both in Spaine and Italie The Time They flower in the end of May or in Iune and sometime later The Names Some doe call them Thalietrum and some Thalictrum Others Ruta paâ—ustris and Ruta pratensis and some Rhabarbarum Monachorum or Pseudo-rhabarbarum by reason that the rootes being yellow haue an opening qualitie and drying as Rubarbe In English what other fit Names to giue these then I haue expressed in the titles I know not The Vertues The are a little hot and drying withall good for old Vlcers as Dioscorides saith to bring them to cicatrising in Italy they are vsed against the Plague and in Saxonye against the Iaundise as Camerarius saith CHAP. XLVIII Radix caua Hollow roote THe likenesse of the leaues likewise of this plant with Colombines hath caused mee to insert it next the other and although some of this kinde bee of small respect being accounted but foolish yet let it fill vp a waste corner that so no place be vnfurnished 1. Radix Caua maior flore albo The white Hollow roote The leaues of this hollow roote breake not out of the ground vntill the end of March or seldome before and are both for proportion and colour somewhat like vnto the leaues of Colombines diuided into fiue parts indented about the edges standing on small long footestalkes of a whitish greene colour among which rise vp the stalkes without any leaues from the bottome to the middle where the flowers shoote forth one aboue another with euery one a small short leafe at the foote thereof which are long and hollow with a spurre behinde it somewhat like vnto the flowers of Larckes spurres but hauing their bellies somwhat bigger and the mouth not so open being all of a pure white colour after the flowers are past arise small long and round cods wherein are contained round blackish seede the roote is round and great of a yellowish browne colour on the outside and more yellow within and hollow vnderneath so that it seemeth but a shell yet being broken euery part will grow it abideth greene aboue ground but a small time 2. Radix Caua maior flore carneo Blush colourd Hollow roote The blush Hollow roote is in all things like vnto the former but onely that the flowers hereof are of a delayed red or purple colour which we call blush and sometimes of a very deepe red or purple colour but very rare to meete with 3. Radix Caua minor seu Capuos fabacea radice Small hollow roote This small kinde hath his leaues of a blewish greene colour yet greener and smaller then the former growing more thicke together the flowers are like in proportion vnto the former in all respects but lesser hauing purplish backes and white bellyes standing closer and thicker together vpon the short stalkes the roote is solid or firme round and a little long withall two being vsually ioyned together yellowish both within and without but I haue seene the dry roots that came from beyond Sea hither that haue beene as small as hasell nuts and somewhat flat with the roundnesse differing from those that growe with vs whether the nature thereof is to alter by manuring I know not The Place The greater kindes Clusius reporteth he found in many places of Hungarie and the other parts neere thereunto the lesser in the lower Germany or Low Countries as we call them The Time These are most truely to bee reckoned Vernall plants for that they rise not out of the ground vntill the Spring bee come in and are gone likewise before it be past remaining vnder ground all the rest of the yeare yet the lesser abideth longer aboue ground then the greater The Names Concerning the former of these there is a controuersie among diuers whether it should be Thesium of Theophrastus or Eriphium of Galen but here is no fit place to trauerse those opinions Some would haue it to bee Corydalis and some referre it to Plinie his Capuos Cheledonia for the likenesse it hath both with Fumeterie and Celandine It is generally called of all moderne Writers Radix Caua and we in English thereafter Hollow roote The lesser for the firmenesse of his round roote is vsually called Capuos fabacea radice and the Dutch men thereafter Boonkens Hollwortell we of the likenesse with the former doe call it the lesse Hollow roote The Vertues Some by the bitternesse doe coniecture for little proofe hath beene had thereof but in outward cases that it clenseth purgeth and dryeth withall CHAP. XLIX Delphinium Larkes heeles OF Larkes heeles there are two principall kindes the wilde kinde and the tame or garden the wilde kinde is of two sorts one which is with vs noursed vp chiefly in gardens and is the greatest the other which is smaller and lower often found in our plowed landes and elsewhere of the former of these wilde sorts there are double as well as single and of the tame or more vpright double also and single and of each of diuers colours as shall be set downe 1. Delphinium maius siue vulgare The ordinary Larkes heeles The common Larkes heele spreadeth with many branches much more ground then the other rather leaning or bending downe to the ground then standing vpright whereon are set many small long greene leaues finely cut almost like Fennell leaues the branches end in a long spike of hollow flowers with a long spurre behinde them very like vnto the flowers of the Hollow roote last described and are of diuers seuerall colours as of a blewish purple colour or white or ash colour or red paler or deeper Varietas as also party coloured of two colours in a flower after the flowers are past which in this kinde abide longer then in the other there come long round cods containing very blacke seede the root is hard after it groweth vp to seede spreading both abroad and deepe and perisheth euery yeare vsually raising it selfe from it own sowing as well as from the seede sowen in the spring time 2. Delphinium vulgare flore pleno Double common Larkes heeles Of this vulgar kinde there is some difference in the flower although in nothing else the flowers stand many vpon a stalke like the former but euery one of them are as if three or foure small flowers were ioyned together with euery one his spurre behinde the greatest flower being outermost and as it were containing the rest which are of a pale red or deepe blush colour Another of this kinde will beare his flowers with three or foure rowes of leaues in the middle making a double flower with one spurre behinde onely and of this kinde there is both with purple blew blush
flower As a kinde of these Corne flowers I must needes adioyne another stranger of much beautie and but lately obtained from Constantinople where because as it is said the great Turke as we call him saw it abroade liked it and wore it himselfe all his vassals haue had it in great regard and hath been obtained from them by some that haue sent it into these parts The leaues whereof are greener and not only gashed but finely snipt on the edges the stalkes are three foote high garnished with the like leaues as are below and branched as the former bearing large scaly heads and such like flowers but larger hauing eight or nine of those hollow gaping leaues in euery flower standing about the middle threds if it be planted in good and fertile ground and be well watered for it soone starueth and perisheth with drought the circling leaues are of a fine delayed purple or blush colour very beautifull to behold the seede of this is smaller and blacker and not enclosed in so much dounie substance as the former yet in our Countrey the seede is not so blacke as it came vnto vs but more gray the roote perisheth likewise euery yeere 3. Cyanus Baeticus supinus The Spanish Corne-flower This Spanish kinde hath many square low bending or creeping stalkes not standing so vpright as the former but branching out more diuersly so that one plant will take vp a great deale of ground the leaues are broader then any of the rest softer also of a pale or whitish greene colour and not much gashed on the edges the flowers stand in bigger heads with foure or fiue leaues vnder euery head and are of a light pale purple or blush colour after which come seede but not so plentifully yet wrapped in a great deale of flockie matter more then any the roote groweth downe deepe into the ground but perisheth euery yeare as they doe The Place The first or former kindes grow many times in the Corne fields of our own Countrey as well as of others especially that sort with a blew flower but the other sorts or colours are not so frequent but are nourished in gardens where they will vary wonderfully The second as is before set downe groweth in Turkie and the last in Spaine found out and first sent to vs by that industrious searcher of simples Guillaume Boel before remembred The Time The first doe flower in the end of Iune and in Iuly and somtimes sooner The other two later and not vntill August most commonly and the seede is soone ripe after The Names The first is generally called Cyanus and some following the Ditch name call it Flos frumenti The olde Writers gaue it the name of Bapti saecuba which is almost worne out We doe call them in English Blew Bottles and in some places Corne flowers after the Ditch names The second hath beene sent by the name of Ambreboi which whether it be a Turkie or Arabian name I know not I haue called it from the place from whence we had it Turcicus and for his beauty Floridus The Turkes themselues as I vnderstand doe call it The Sultans flower and I haue done so likewise that it may bee distinguished from all the other kindes or else you may call it The Turkey blush Corne flower which you please The lâ—st was sent by the name of Iacea Baetica but I had rather to referre it to the Cyanus or Corne flowers because the flowers are like vnto the Corne flowers and not vnto the Iaceas or Knapweedes The Vertues These had no vse in Physicke in Galen and Dioscorides time in that as it is thought they haue made no mention of them We in these dayes doe chiefly vse the first kindes as also the greater sort as a cooling Cordiall and commended by some to be a remedy not onely against the plague and pestilentiall diseases but against the poison of Scorpions and Spiders CHAP. LXXV Iacea Marina Baetica Spanish Sea Knapweede THere are a great many sorts of Knapweedes yet none of them all fit for this our Garden but this only stranger which I haue beene bold to thrust in here for that it hath such like gaping or open flowers as the former Corne flowers haue but notably differing and therefore deserueth a peculiar Chapter as partaking both with Cyanus and Iacea It hath many long and narrow leaues vneuenly dented or waued on both edges and not notched gashed or indented as many other herbes are being thicke fleshie and brittle a little hairy and of an ouerworne darke greene colour among which rise lowe weake stalkes with such like leaues as grow at the bottome but smaller bearing but here and there a flower of a bright reddish purple colour like in forme vnto the Corne flowers but much larger with many threds or thrumes in the middle of the same colour standing vp higher then any of the former this flower riseth out of a large scaly head all set ouer with small sharpe but harmelesse white prickles the seedes are blackish like vnto the Knapweedes and larger then any of the former Corne flowers the roote is great and thicke growing deepe into the ground fleshie and full of a slimie or clammy iuice and easie to bee broken blackish on the outside and whitish within enduring many yeares like as the other Knapweedes or Matfelons doe growing in time to be very thicke and great The Place It groweth naturally by the Sea side in Spaine from whence I receiued the seedes of Guillaume Boel and did abide well in my garden a long time but is now perished The Time It flowreth in the beginning of Iuly or thereabouts and continueth not long in flower but the head abideth a great while and is of some beauty after the flower is past yet seldome giueth good seed with vs. The Names It hath no other name then is set down in the title being altogether a Nouelist and not now to be seene with any sauing my selfe The Vertues We haue not yet known any vse hereof in Physick CHAP. LXXVI Cnicus siuc Carthamus sativus Bastard or Spanish Saffron THere are two or three sorts of Cnicus or bastard Saffrons which I passe ouer as not fit for this Garden and onely set downe this kinde whose flowers are of a fairer and more liuely colour in our Country then any hath come ouer from Spaine where they manure it for the profit they make thereof seruing for the dying of Silke especially and transporting great quantities to diuers Countries It hath large broad leaues without any prickes at all vpon them in our Country growing vpon the stalke which is strong hard and round with shorter leaues thereon vp to the toppe where they are a little sharpe pointed and prickly about the edges sometimes which stalke riseth three or foure foote high and brancheth it selfe toward the toppe bearing at the end of euery branch one great open scaly head out of which thrusteth out many gold yellow threads of a most orient shining
white prickles round about the edges lying round about the root vpon the ground in the middle whereof riseth vp a large head without any stalke vnder it compassed about with many small and long prickly leaues from among which the flower sheweth it selfe composed of many thin long whitish hard shining leaues standing about the middle which is flat and yellow made of many thrums or threads like small flowers wherein lye small long seede of a whitish or siluer colour the roote is somewhat aromaticall blackish on the outside small and long growing downewards into the ground There is another of this kinde that beareth a higher stalke and a redder flower but there is a manifest difference betweene them 6. Carduus Sphaerocephalus siue Globosus maior The greater Globe Thistle The greatest of these beautifull Thistles hath at the first many large and long leaues lying on the ground very much cut in and diuided in many places euen to the middle ribbe set with small sharpe but not very strong thornes or prickles at euery corner of the edges greene on the vpperside and whitish vnderneath from the middle of these leaues riseth vp a round stiffe stalke three foote and a halfe high or more set without order with such like leaues bearing at the toppe of euery branch a round hard great head consisting of a number of sharpe bearded huskes compact or set close together of a blewish greene colour out of euery one of which huskes start small whitish blew flowers with white threads in the middle of them and rising aboue them so that the heads when they are in full flower make a fine shew much delighting the spectators after the flowers are past the seede encreaseth in euery one or the most part of the bearded huskes which doe still hold their round forme vntill that being ripe it openeth it selfe and the huskes easily fall away one from another containing within them a long whitish kernell the roote is great and long blackish on the outside and dyeth euery yeare when it hath borne seede 7. Carduus Globosus minor The lesser Globe Thistle The lesser kinde hath long narrow leaues whiter then the former but cut in and gashed on the edges very much with some small prickes on them the stalke is not halfe so long nor the heads halfe so great but as round and with as blew flowers as the greater this seldome giueth ripe seede but recompenseth that fault in that the roote perisheth not as the former but abideth many yeares 8. Carduus Eriocephalus siue Tomentosus The Friers Crowne This woolly Thistle hath many large and long leaues lying on the ground cut in on both sides into many diuisions which are likewise somewhat vnequally cut in or diuided againe hauing sharpe white prickles at euery corner of the diuisions of a dead or sad greene colour on the vpperside and somewhat woolly withall and grayish vnderneath the stalke is strong and tall foure or fiue foote high at the least branching out into diuers parts euery where beset with such like leaues as growe below at the toppe of euery branch there breaketh out a great whitish round prickly head flattish at the toppe so thicke set with wooll that the prickles seeme but small spots or haires and doth so well resemble the bald crowne of a Frier not onely before it be in flower but especially after it hath done flowring that thereupon it deseruedly receiued the name of the Friers Crowne Thistle out of these heads riseth forth a purple thrumme such as is to be seene in many other wilde Thistles which when they are ripe are full of a flockie or woolly substance which breake at the toppe shedding it and the seede which is blackish flat and smooth the roote is great and thicke enduring for some yeares yet sometimes perishing if it be too much exposed to the violence of the frosts in Winter The Place The first groweth naturally in Spaine Italy and France and in many other hot Countries and growe onely in Gardens in these colder climates and there cherished for the beautifull aspect both of the greene plants and of the stalkes when they are in flower The Carline Thistle is found both in Germany and Italy in many places and as it is reported in some places of the West parts in England The others are found some in France some in Hungary and on the Alpes and the last in Spaine The Time They doe all flower in the Summer moneths some a little earlier or later then others The Names The first is called Acanthus sativus because the other that is prickly is called siluestris or spinosus and Branea vrsina In English Branck vrfine and Beares breech The third is called Eringium montanum Alpinum and Pannonicum latifolium In English Mountaine or Hungary Sea Holly The fourth is called Carduus mollis The gentle Thistle because it hath no harmfull prickles although it seeme at the first shew to be a Thistle The fifth is called of diuers Chamaeleo albus and Carlina as if they were both but one plant but Fabius Columna hath in my iudgement very learnedly descided that controuersie making Carlina to be Ixine of Theophrastus and Chamaeleo another differing Thistle which Gaza translateth Vernilago We call it in English The Carline Thistle The other haue their names in their titles as much as is conuenient for this discourse The Vertues The first hath alwaies been vsed Physically as a mollifying herbe among others of the like slimie matter in Glisters to open the body yet Lobâ—l seemeth to make no difference in the vse of them both that is the prickly as well as the smooth The Carline Thistle is thought to bee good against poysons and infection The rest are not vsed by any that I know CHAP. LXXVIII Fraxinella Bastard Dittany HAuing finished those pleasing Thistles I come to other plants of more gentle handling and first bring to your consideration this bastard Dittany whereof there are found out two especiall kindes the one with a reddish the other with a whitish flower and each of these hath his diuersity as shall be presently declared 1. Fraxinella flore rubente Bastard Dittany with a reddish flower This goodly plant riseth vp with diuers round hard brownish stalkes neare two foote high the lower parts whereof are furnished with many winged leaues somewhat like vnto Liquerice or a small young Ashe tree consisting of seuen nine or eleuen leaues set together which are somewhat large and long hard and rough in handling of a darkish greene colour and of an vnpleasant strong resinous sent the vpper parts of the stalkes are furnished with many flowers growing spike fashion at certaine distances one aboue another consisting of fiue long leaues a peece whereof foure that stand on the two sides are somewhat bending vpwards and the fift hanging downe but turning vp the end of the leafe a little againe of a faint or pale red colour striped through euery leafe with a deeper red colour and
the Easterne Countries beyond it where it hath beene anciently cherished for their foode being often watered to take away the bitternesse It groweth also in these Western parts but still where it is planted The great blew Lupine is thought to come from beyond the parts of Persia in Caramania The lesser blew is found very plentifully wilde in many places both of Spaine and Italy The last hath beene brought vs likewise out of Spaine whereas it is thought it groweth naturally They all grow now in the gardens of those that are curious louers of these delights The Time They flower in Summer and their seede is â—ipe quickly after The Names They are generally called Lupini Plautus in his time saith they were vsed in Comedies in stead of money when in any Scene thereof there was any shew of payment and therefore he calleth them Aurum Comicum And Horace hath this Verse Nec tamen ignorant quid distent aera Lupinis to shew that counterfeit money such as counters are with vs or as these Lupines were vsed in those times was easily knowne from true and currant coine In English wee vsually call them after the Latine name Lupines and some after the Dutch name Figge-beanes because they are flat and round as a Figge that is pressed and some Flat-beanes for the same reason Some haue called the yellow Lupine Spanish Violets but other foolish names haue beene giuen it as Virginia Roses and the like by knauish Gardiners and others to deceiue men and make them beleeue they were the finders out or great preseruers of rarities of no other purpose but to cheate men of their money as you would therefore auoyde knaues and deceiuers beware of these manner of people whereof the skirts of our towne are too pitifully pestered The Vertues The first or ordinary Lupine doth scoure and cleanse the skin from spots morphew blew markes and other discolourings thereof beeing vsed eyther in a decoction or pontâ—er Wee seldome vse it in inward medicines not that it is dangerous but of neglect for formerly it hath beene much vsed for the wormes c. 1 Lupinus maior The great Lupine 2 Lupinus lutâ—us The yellow Lupine 3 Lathyrus laetifolius seu Pisum pereâ—â—â— Pease euerlasting 4 Pisuâ— quadratum The crimson blossomd or square Pease 5 Medica cochleatae vulgaris Snailes or Barbary buttons 6 Medica spinosae Prickly Snailes 7 Medica spinosa altera Another sort oâ— prickly Snailes 8 Medica folliculo lato Broad buttons oâ— Snailes 9 Medica Lunata Halfe Moons 10 Hoâ—â—â—â— clypeatum The red Sattin flower or French Honysuckle 11 Scorpioides minus The lesser Caterpiller 12 Scorpioides maius The greater Caterpiller 13 Orobus Venetus Blew vpright Pease euerlasting 1. Lathyrus latifolius siue Pisum perenne Pease euerlasting This kinde of wilde Pease that abideth long and groweth euery yeare greater then other springeth vp with many broade trayling branches winged as it were on both the sides diuersly diuided into other smaller branches at the seuerall ioynts whereof stand two hard not broad but somewhat long greene leaues and diuers twining claspers in sundry places with the leaues from betweene the branches and the leaues at the ioynts towards the toppes come forth diuers purplish pease like blossomes standing on a long stemme or stalke very beautifull to behold and of a pretty sent or smell after which come small long thin flat hard skind cods containing small round blackish seede the roote is great and thicke growing downe deepe into the ground of the thicknesse sometimes of a mans arme blackish on the outside and whitish within with some branches and a few fibres annexed thereunto 2. Orobus Venetus Blew vpright euerlasting Pease This pretty kinde of Pease blossome beareth diuers slender but vpright greene branches somewhat cornered two foote high or thereabouts hauing at seuerall distances on both sides of them certaine winged leaues set together vpon long footestalkes one against another consisting of six or eight leaues somewhat broade and pointed and without any odde one at the end at the ioynts toward the toppes between the leaues and the stalkes come forth many flowers set together at the end of a pretty long footestalke of the fashion of the former Pease blossome but somewhat smaller and of a purplish violet colour after which come slender and long pointed pods rounder then they wherein is contained small round grayish pease the roote is blacke hard or woody abiding after seede bearing as the former doth and shooting afresh euery yeare 3. Lathyrus annuus siliquis orobi Partie coloured Cichelings This small Pulse or wild Pease hath two or three long slender winged branches with smaller leaues theron then the former and without any claspers at all on them the flowers stand single euery one by it selfe or two at the most together the middle leaues whereof that close together are white and the vpper leaues of a reddish purple colour after which come long round flattish cods bunched out in the seuerall places where the seedes lye like vnto the cods of Orobus or the bitter Vetch but greater the roote is small and dyeth euery yeare 4. Pisum quadratum The crimson blossomd or square codded Pease This pretty kinde of Pulse might very well for the forme of the leaues be referred to the kindes of Lotus or Trefoiles but because I haue none of that kindred to entreate of in this Worke I haue thought fittest to place it here before the Medica's because both pods and seedes are like also It hath three or foure small weake stalkes diuided into many branches hauing two stalkes of leaues at euery ioynt and three small soft leaues standing on a very small stalke comming from the ioynts the flowers stand for the most part two together of a perfect red or crimson colour like in forme almost vnto a Pease blossome after which come long thicke and round cods with two skinnes or filmes running all along the cod at the backe or vpperside and two other such like filmes all along the belly or vnder side which make it seeme foure square wherein there lye round discoloured Pease somewhat smaller and harder then ordinary Pease the roote is small and perisheth euery yeare 5. Medica Cochleata vulgaris Snailes or Barbary buttons The plant that beareth these pretty toyes for Gentlewomen is somewhat like vnto a Three leafed grasse or Trefoile hauing many long trayling branches lying vpon the ground whereon at diuers places are three small greene leaues set together at the end of a little footestalke each of them a little snipt about the edges at seuerall distances from the middle of these branches to the ends of them come forth the flowers two for the most part standing together vpon a little footstalke which are of a pale yellow colour very small and of the forme of a Pease blossome after which come smooth heads which are turned or writhen round almost like a Snaile hard and greene at the first somewhat like a greene button from the
sowen them with the seedes of some Medica's to make the experience All the other sorts are pleasures to delight the curious and not any way profitable in Physicke that I know CHAP. LXXX Paeonia Peonie THere are two principall kindes of Peonie that is to say the Male and the Female Of the male kinde I haue onely known one sort but of the Female a great many which are thus to be distinguished The Male his leafe is whole without any particular diuision notch or dent on the edge his rootes long round diuided into many branches somewhat like to the rootes of Gentian or Elecampane and not tuberous at all The Female of all sorts hath the leaues diuided or cut in on the edges more or lesse and hath alwaies tuberous rootes that is like clogs or Asphodill rootes with many great thick round peeces hanging or growing at the end of smaller strings and all ioyned to the toppe of the maine roote 1. Paeonia mas The Male Peonie The Male Peonie riseth vp with many brownish stalkes whereon doe grow winged leaues that is many faire greene and sometimes reddish leaues one set against another vpon a stalke without any particular diuision in the leafe at all the flowers stand at the toppes of the stalkes consisting of fiue or six broade leaues of a faire purplish red colour with many yellow threds in the middle standing about the head which after riseth to be the seede vessels diuided into two three or foure rough crooked pods like hornes which when they are ful ripe open and turn themselues down one edge to another backeward shewing within them diuers round black shining seede which are the true seede being full and good and hauing also many red or crimson graines which are lancke and idle intermixed among the blacke as if they are good seede whereby it maketh a very pretty shew the roots are great thick and long spreading in the ground and running downe reasonable deepe 2. Paeonia faemina vulgaris flore simplici The ordinary single Female Peonie This ordinary Female Peonie hath many stalkes with more store of leaues on them then the Male kinde hath the leaues also are not so large but diuided or nicked diuersly on the edges some with great and deepe and others with smaller cuts or diuisions and of a darke or dead greene colour the flowers are of a strong heady sent most vsually smaller then the male and of a more purple tending to a murrey colour with yellow thrumes about the head in the middle as the male kinde hath the heads or hornes with seed are like also but smaller the seede also is blacke but lesse shining the rootes consist as I said of many thicke and short tuberous clogs fastened at the ends of long strings and all from the head of the roote which is thicke and short and tuberous also of the same or the like sent with the male 3. Paeonia faemina vulgaris flore pleno rubro The double red Peonie This double Peonie as well as the former single is so frequent in euerie Garden of note through euery Countrey that it is almost labour in vaine to describe it but yet because I vse not to passe ouer any plant so slightly I will set down the description briefly in regard it is so common It is very like vnto the former single female Peony both in stalkes and leaues but that it groweth somewhat higher and the leaues are of a fresher greene colour the flowers at the tops of the stalkes are very large thicke and double no flower that I know so faire great and double but not abiding blowne aboue eight or ten daies of a more reddish purple colour then the former female kinde and of a sweeter sent after these flowers are past sometimes come good seed which being sowne bring forth some single flowers and some double the rootes are tuberous like vnto the former female 4. Paeonia faemina flore carneo simplici The single blush Peony The single blush Peony hath his stalkes higher and his leaues of a paler or whiter greene colour then the double blush and more white vnderneath so that it is very probable it is of another kinde and not risen from the seede of the double blush as some might thinke with many veines that are somewhat discoloured from the colour of the leafe running through them the flowers are very large and single consisting of fiue leaues for the most part of a pale flesh or blush colour with an eye of yellow dispersed or mixed therewith hauing many whitish threads tipt with yellow pendents standing about the middle head the rootes are like the other female Peonies 5. Paeonia faemina flore pleno albicante The double blush Peony The double blush Peony hath not his stalkes so high as the double red but somewhat lower and stiffer bearing such like winged leaues cut in or diuided here and there in the edges as all these female kindes are but not so large as the last the flowers are smaller and lesse double by a good deale then the former double red of a faint shining crimson colour at the first opening but decaying or waxing paler euery day so that after it hath stood long for this flower sheddeth not his leaues in a great while it will change somewhat whitish and therefore diuers haue ignorantly called it the double white Peony the seedes which sometimes it beareth and rootes are like vnto the former female kindes but somewhat longer and of a brighter colour on the outside 6. Paeonia faemina Byzantina The single red Peony of Constantinople This red Peony of Constantinople is very like in all things vnto the double red Peonie but that the flowers hereof are single and as large as the last and that is larger then either the single female or the male kinde consisting of eight leaues of a deeper red colour then either the single or double Peonies and not purplish at all but rather of the colour of an ordinary red Tulipa standing close and round together the roots of this kinde haue longer clogs and not so short as of the ordinary female kinde and of a paler colour on the outside The Place All these Peonies haue beene sent or brought from diuers parts beyond the Seas they are endenized in our Gardens where wee cherish them for the beauty and delight of their goodly flowers as well as for their Physicall vertues The Time They all flower in May but some as I said abide a small time and others many weekes The Names The name Paeonia is of all the later Writers generally giuen to these plants although they haue had diuers other names giuen by the elder Writers as Rosae fatuina Idaeus dactylus Aglaophotis and others whereof to set 1 Paeonia maâ— cum semine The male Peony the seed 2 Paeonia faemina Byzantina The female red Peony of Constantinople 3 Paeonia faemina flore pleno vulgaris The ordinary double Peony 4 Paeonia flore pleno albicante The
or whitish greene starre-like flowers all along vpon them which after turne into small long three square whitish seede standing naked without any huske to containe them although some haue written otherwise the roote is thicke and reasonable great at the head hauing a number of great white strings running downe deepe into the ground whereby it is strongly fastened 2. Elleborus albus praecox siue atrorubente flore The early white Ellebor with reddish flowers This other Ellebor is very like the former but that it springeth vp a moneth at the least before it and that the leaues are not fully so thicke or so much plaited but as large or larger and doe sooner perish and fall away from the plant the stalke hereof is as high as the former bearing such like starry flowers but of a darke or blackish red colour the seede is like the other the roote hath no such head as the other so farre as I haue obserued both by mine own and others plants but hath many long white strings fastened to the top which is as it were a long bulbous scaly head out of which spring the leaues The Place The first groweth in many places of Germany as also in some parts of Russia in that aboundance by the relation of that worthy curious and diligent searcher and preseruer of all natures rarities and varieties my very good friend Iohn Tradescante often heretofore remembred that as hee said a good ship might be loaden with the rootes hereof which hee saw in an Island there The other likewise groweth in the vpland wooddy grounds of Germanie and other the parts thereabouts The Time The first springeth vp in the end or middle of March and flowreth in Iune The second springeth in February but flowreth not vntill Iune The Names The first is called Elleborus albus or Helleborus albus the letter H as all Schollers know being but aspirationis nota and Veratrum album flore viridante of some Sanguis Herculis The other is called Elleborus albus praecox and flore atrorubente or atropurpurante We call the first in English White Ellebor Neesewort or Neesing roote because the powder of the roote is vsed to procure neesing and I call it the greater in regard of those in the next Chapter The other hath his name according to the Latine title most proper for it The Vertues The force of purging is farre greater in the roote of this Ellebor then in the former and therefore is not carelesly to bee vsed without extreame danger yet in contumatious and stubborne diseases it may bee vsed with good caution and aduice There is a Syrupe or Oxymel made hereof in the Apothecaries shops which as it is dangerous for gentle and tender bodies so it may be very effectuall in stronger constitutions Pausanias in Phocicis recordeth a notable stratagem that Solon vsed in besieging the Citie of Cirrheus viz. That hauing cut off the riuer Plistus from running into the Citie he caused a great many of these rootes to be put into a quantity thereof which after they had steeped long enough therein and was sufficiently infected therewith he let passe into the Citie againe whereof when they had greedily drunke they grew so weake and feeble by the superpurgation thereof that they were forced to leaue their wals vnmand and not guarded whereby the Amphyctions their enemies became masters of their Citie The like stratagems are set downe by diuers others Authors performed by the helpe of other herbes CHAP. LXXXIII Elleborine Small or wilde white Ellebor THe likenesse of the leaues of these plants rather then any other faculty with the former white Ellebor hath caused them to be called Elleborine as if they were smaller white Ellebors And I for the same cause haue ioyned them next whereof there are found many sorts One which is the greater kinde is of greatest beauty the other which are lesser differ not much one from another more then in the colour of the flowers whereof I will onely take three being of the most beautie and leaue the rest to another worke 1. Helleborine vel Elleborine maior siue Calceolus Mariae Our Ladies Slipper This most beautifull plant of all these kindes riseth vp with diuers stalkes a foote and a halfe high at the most bearing on each side of them broad greene leaues somewhat like in forme vnto the leaues of the white Ellebor but smaller and not so ribbed compassing the stalke at the lower end at the tops of the stalkes come forth one or two or three flowers at the most one aboue another vpon small short foote-stalkes with a small leafe at the foote of euery stalke each of these flowers are of a long ouall forme that is more long then round and hollow withall especially at the vpper part the lower being round and swelling like a belly at the hollow part there are two small peeces like eares or flippers that at the first doe couer the hollow part and after stand apart one from another all which are of a fine pale yellow colour in all that I haue seene yet it is said there are some found that are more browne or tending to purple there are likewise foure long narrow darke coloured leaues the setting on of the flower vnto the stalke wherein as it were the flower at the first standeth the whole flower is of a pretty small sent the seede is very small very like vnto the seede of the Orchides or Satyrions and contained in such like long pods but bigger the roots are composed of a number of strings enterlacing themselues one within another lying within the vpper crust of the earth not spreading deep of a darke brownish colour 2. Elleborine minor flore albo The small or wilde white Ellebor with a white flower This smaller wilde white Ellebor riseth vp in the like manner vnto the former and not much lower bearing such like leaues but smaller and of a whiter greene colour almost of the colour and fashion of the leaues of Lilly Conually the top of the stalke hath many more flowers but lesser growing together spike-fashion with small short leaues at the stalke of euery flower which consisteth of fiue small white leaues with a small close hood in the middle without any sent at all the seede and seede vessels are like vnto the former but smaller the rootes are many small strings dispersing themselues in the ground 3. Elleborine minor flore purpurante The small or wilde white Ellebor with blush flowers The leaues of this kinde are like vnto the last described but somewhat narrower the stalkes and flowers are alike but smaller also and of a pale purplish or blush colour which causeth the difference The Place The first groweth in very many places of Germany and in other Countries also It groweth likewise in Lancashire neare vpon the border of Yorkeshire in a wood or place called the Helkes which is three miles from Ingleborough the highest Hill in England and not farre from Ingleton as I
places Bruisewort Some haue thought it to bee Struthium of Dioscorides or at least haue vsed it for the same causes but therein they are greatly dâ—ceiued as Matthiolus hath very well obserued thereon and so is Dodonaeus that thought it to be Alisma The Rose Plantaine is so called of the double spikes it carrieth The Vertues The wonderfull wholsomnesse of Gentian cannot bee easily knowne to vs by reason our daintie tastes refuse to take thereof for the bitternesse sake but otherwise it would vndoubtedly worke admirable cures both for the liuer stomacke and lunges It is also a speciall counterpoison against any infection as also against the violence of a mad dogges tooth wilde Sopewort is vsed in many places to scoure the countrey womens treen and pewter vessels and physically some make great boast to performe admirable cures in Hydropicall diseases because it is diureticall and in Lue Veneria when other Mercuriall medicines haue failed The Rose Plantaine no doubt hath the same qualities that the ordinary hath CHAP. LXXXVI Campanula Bell-flowers VNder the title of Bell-flowers are to bee comprehended in this Chapter not only those that are ordinarily called Campanula but Viola Mariana and Trachelium also whereof the one is called Couentry the other Canterbury Bells 1. Campanula Persicifolio alba vel caerulea Peach-leafed Bell-flowers white or blew The Peach-leafed Bell-flower hath many tufts or branches of leaues lying vpon the gâ—â—â—â—d which are long and narrow somewhat like vnto the leafe of an Almond or Pâ—â—ch tree being finely nicked about the edges and of a sad greene colour from among which rise vp diuers stalkes two foote high or more set with leaues to the middle and from thence vpwards with many flowers standing on seuerall small footestalkes one aboue another with a small leafe at the foote of euery one the flowers stand in small greene huskes being small and round at the bottome but wider open at the brimme and ending in fiue corners with a three forked clapper in the middle set about with some small threds tipt with yellow which flowers in some plants are pure white and in others of a pale blew or watchet colour hauing little or no sent at all the seede is small and contained in round flat heads or seede vessels the roote is very small white and threddy creeping vnder the vpper crust of the ground so that oftentimes the heat and drought of the Summer wil goe near to parch and wither it vtterly it requireth therefore to be planted in some shadowie place 2. Campanula maior siue Pyramidalis Thâ— great or steeple Bell-flower This great Bell-flower hath diuers stalkes three foote high or better whereon grow diuers smooth darke greene leaues broade at the bottome and small at the point somewhat vneuenly notched about the edges and standing vpon longer footestalkes below then those aboue the flowers are blew and in some white not so great or large as the former but neare of the â—ame fashion growing thicker and more plentifully together with smaller leaues among them bushing thicke below and rising smaller and thinner vp to the toppe in fashion of a Pyramis or speere Steeple the roote is thicke and whitish yeelding more store of milke being broken as the leaues and stalks also doe then any other of the Bell-flowers euery one whereof doe yeelde milke some more and some lesse 3. Viola Mariana flore albido vel purpureo Couentry Bels white or purple The leaues of Couentry Bels are of a pale or fresh greene colour long and narrow next vnto the bottome and broader from the middle to the end and somewhat round pointed a little hairy all ouer and snipt about the edges the stalkes rise vp the yeare after the sowing being somewhat hairy also and branching forth from the roote into diuers parts whereon stand diuers leaues smaller then the former and of a darker greene colour at the end of euery branch stand the flowers in greene huskes from whence come large round hollow Bels swelling out in the middle and rising somewhat aboue it like the necke of a pot and then ending in fiue corners which are either of a faire or faint white or of a pale blew purplish colour and sometimes of a deeper purple or violet after the flowers are past there rise vp great square or cornered seede vessels wherein is contained in diuers diuisions small hard shining browne flat seeds the roote is white and being young as in the first yeares sowing is tender and often eaten as other Rampions are but the next yeare when it runneth vp to seede it groweth hard and perisheth so that it is to be continued by euery other yeares sowing 4. Trachelium maius flore albo vel purpureo Great Canterbury Bels white or purple The greater Canterbury Bels or Throateworte hath many large rough leaues somewhat like vnto Nettle leaues being broad and round at the bottome and pointed at the end notched or dented on the edges and euery one standing on a long footstalk among these leaues rise vp diuers square rough stalkes diuided at the toppe into diuers branches whereon grow the like leaues as grow below but lesser toward the ends of the branches stand the flowers mixed with some longer leaues euery one in his seuerall huske which are hollow long and round like a bell or cup wide open at the mouth and cut at the brimme into fiue corners or diuisions somewhat lesser then the Couentry Bels in some of a pure white and others of a faire deepe purple violet colâ—â—â— and sometimes paler after the flowers are past come smaller and rounder heâ—â—â— then in the former containing flat seede but blacker and not so redde as the laâ—â— the roote is hard and white dispersing it selfe into many branches vnder ground not perishing euery yeare as the former although it loseth all the leaues in winter but abiding many yeares and encreasing into diuers heades or knobs from whence spring new leaues and branches 1 Campanula persicifolia Peach leafed Bell-flower 2 Trachelium maius simplex Canterbury Bels. * Trachelium flore duplici Double Canterbury Bels. 3 Viola Mariana Couentry Bels. 4 Trachelium Giganteum Giants Throatewort 5 Trachelium minus The lesser Throatewort 6 Trachelâ—um Americanum siue Cardinalis planta The rich crimson Cardinals flower 5. Trachelium maius flore duplici albo caeruleo Canterbury Bels with double flowers both white and blew Of this kinde of Throateworte or Canterbury Bels there is another sort not differing in any thing from the former but in the doublenesse of the flower For there is of both the kindes one that beareth double white flowers and the other blew Of each whereof I receiued plants from friends beyond the Sea which grow well with me 6. Trachelium Giganteum flore purpurante Pale purple Giants Throateworte This Bell-flower although it hath a Gigantine name yet did I neuer perceiue it in my Garden to rise vp h gher then the former the epithite beeing in my perswasion
only giuen for difference sake the leaues whereof are not so rough but as large and dented about the edges somewhat larger pointed and of a fresher greene colour the stalkes beare such like leaues on them but more thinly or dispersedly set hauing a flower at the setting on of euery one of the leaues from the middle vpwards and are somewhat like the great Throateworte in forme but of a pale or bleake reddish purple colour turning the brims or corners a little backwards with a forked clapper in the middle sufficient eminent and yellow the seede hereof is white and plentifull in the heads which will abide all the winter vpon the stalkes vntill all the seede being shed the heads remaining seeme like torne rags or like thin peeces of skin eaten with wormes the roote is greate thicke and white abiding long without perishing Flore albo There is another which differeth not any thing but in the flower which is white 7. Trachelium minus flore albo purpureo Small Throateworte or Canterbury Bells both white and purple The lesser Throateworte hath smaller leaues nothing so broade or hard as the former great kinde but long and little or nothing dented about the edges the stalkes are square and brownish if it beare purple flowers and greene if it beare white flowers which in forme are alike and grow in a bush or tuft thicke set together more then any of the former and smaller also being not much bigger then the flowers of the fielde or garden Rampions the roote is lasting and shooteth afresh euery yeare 8. Trachelium Americarum flore ruberrimo siue Planta Cardinalis The rich crimson Cardinals flower This braue plant from a white roote spreading diuers wayes vnder ground sendeth forth many greene leaues spread round about the head thereof each whereof is somewhat broade and long and pointed at the end finely also snipt about the edges from the middle whereof ariseth vp a round hollow stalke two foote high at the least beset with diuers such leaues as grow below but longer below then aboue and branching out at the toppe aboundantly euery branch bearing diuers greene leaues on them and one at the foote of euery of them also the toppes whereof doe end in a great large tuft of flowers with a small greene leafe at the foote of the stalke of euery flower each footestalke being about an inch long bearing a round greene huske diuided into fiue long leaues or points turned downwards and in the midst of euery of them a most rich crimson coloured flower ending in fiue long narrow leaues standing all of tâ—â—m foreright but three of them falling downe with a long vmbone set as it were at the backe of them bigger below and smaller aboue and at the toppe a small head being of a little paler colour then the flower but of no sent or smell at all commendable only for the great bush of so orient red crimson flowers after the flowers are past the seede commeth in small heads closed within those greene husks that held the flowers which is very like vnto the seede vessels of the Viola Mariana or Couentry Bels and is small and brownish The Place All these Bell-flowers do grow in our Gardens where they are cherished for the beautie of their flowers The Couentry Bels doe not grow wilde in any of the parts about Couentry as I am credibly informed by a faithfull Apothecary dwelling there called Master Brian Ball but are noursed in Gardens with them as they are in other places The last groweth neere the riuer of Canada where the French plantation in America is seated The Time They flower from May vntill the end of Iuly or August and in the mean time the seed is ripe But the Peache-leafed Bell-flowers for the most part flower earlier then the other The Names The first is generally called Campanula Persicifolia in English Peach-leafed Bell-flower The second is called Campanula maior Campanula lactescens Pyramidalis and Pyramidalis Lutetiana of Lobel in English Great or Steeple Bell-flower The third is vsually called Viola Mariana and of some Viola Marina Lobel putteth a doubt whether it be not Medium of Dioscorides as Matthiolus and others doe thinke but in my opinion the thicknesse of the roote as the text hath it contradicteth all the rest We call it generally in English Couentry Bels. Some call it Marian and some Mercuries Violets The fourth and fift are called Trachelium or Ceruicaria of some Vvularia because many haue vsed it to good purpose for the paines of the Vvula or Throate Yet there is another plant called also by some Vvularia which is Hippoglossum Horse tongue or Double tongue The sixt hath his title to descipher it out sufficiently as is declared The seuenth is called Trachelium minus and Ceruiaria minor of some Saponaria altera in English Small Throateworte or Small Canterbury Bels. The last hath his name in the title as it is called in France from whence I receiued plants for my Garden with the Latine name but I haue giuen it in English The Vertues The Peach-Bels as well as the others may safely bee vsed in gargles and lotions for the mouth throate or other parts as occasion serueth The rootes of many of them while they are young are often eaten in sallets by diuers beyond the Seas CHAP. LXXXVII Campana Caerulea siue Convolvulus Caeruleus Blew Bell flowers or blew Bindeweede THere are two other kindes of Bell-flowers much differing from the Tribe or Familie of the former because of their climbing or winding qualitie which I must needes place next them for the likenesse of the flowers although otherwise they might haue beene placed with the other clamberers that follow Of these there is a greater and a lesser and of each likewise some difference as shall be declared 1. Convolvulus caeruleus maior rotundifolius The greater blew Bindweede or Bell-flower with round leaues This goodly plant riseth vp with many long and winding branches whereby it climbeth and windeth vpon any poles herbes or trees that stand neare it within a great compasse alwaies winding it selfe contrary to the course of the Sunne on these branches doe growe many faire great round leaues and pointed at the end like vnto a Violet leafe in shape but much greater of a sad greene colour at the ioynts of the branches where the leaues are set come forth flowers on pretty long stalkes two or three together at a place which are long and pointed almost like a finger while they are buds and not blowne open and of a pale whitish blew colour but being blowne open are great and large bels with broad open mouths or brims ending in fiue corners and small at the bottome standing in small greene huskes of fine leaues these flowers are of a very deepe azure or blew colour tending to a purple very glorious to behold opening for the most part in the euening abiding so all the night and the next morning vntill the Sunne
begin to growe somewhat hot vpon them and then doe close neuer opening more the plant carrieth so many flowers if it stand in a warme place that it will be replenished plentifully vntill the cold ayres and euenings stay the luxury thereof after the flowers are past the stalkes whereon the flowers did stand bend downwards and beare within the huskes three or foure blacke seedes of the bignesse of a Tare or thereabouts the rootes are stringy and perish euery yeare 2. Convolvulus trifolius siue hederaceus purpureus The greater purple Bindeweede or Bell-flower with cornered leaues The growing and forme of this Bindeweede or Bell-flower is all one with the former the chiefest differences consisting in the forme of the leafe which in this is three cornered like vnto an Iuie leafe with corners and in the flower which is of a deeper blew tending more to a deepe purple Violet and somewhat more reddish in the fiue plaites of each flower as also in the bottomes of the flowers 3. Convolvulus tenuifolius Americanus The red Bell-flower of America Although this rare plant because wee seldome haue it and can as hardly keepe it be scarce knowne in these cold Countries yet I could not but make mention of it to incite those that haue conueniencie to keepe it to be furnished of it It springeth vp at the first from the seede with two leaues with two long forked ends which abide a long time before they perish betweene which riseth vp the stalke or stemme branching forth diuers waies being of a brownish colour which windeth it selfe as the former great Bell-flower doth whereon are set at seuerall ioynts diuers winged leaues that is to say many small narrow and long leaues set on both sides of the middle ribbe and one at the end from these ioynts arise long stalkes at the ends whereof stand two or three small long hollow flowers fashioned very like vnto the flowers of a Bindeweede or the flowers of Tabacco and ending in the like manner in fiue points but not so much laide open being of a bright red colour plaited as the Bindeweedes or Bell-flowers before they be open with some few threads in the middle which turne into long pointed cods wherein is contained long and blacke seede tasting hot like Pepper the roote is small and stringy perishing euery yeare and with vs will seldome come to flower because our cold nights and frosts come so soone before it cannot haue comfort enough of the Sun to ripen it 4. Convolvulus caeruleus minor Hispanicus The Spanish small blew Bindeweede This small Bindeweede hath small long leaues somewhat broader then the next that followeth and not so broad as the common small Bindeweede that groweth euery where wilde on the bankes of fields abroad set vpon the small trayling branches which growe aboue two or three foote high from the middle of these branches and so vnto the toppes of them come forth the flowers at the ioynts with the leaues folded together at the first into fiue plaites which open into so many corners of a most excellent faire skie coloured blew so pleasant to behold that often it amazeth the spectator with white bottomes and yellowish in the middle which turne into small round white heads wherein are contained small blackish cornered seede somewhat like the former but smaller the roote is small and threddy perishing as the former euery yeare this neuer windeth it selfe about any thing but leaneth by reason of the weaknesse of the branches and dyeth euery yeare after seede time and not to be sowne againe vntill the next Spring 5. Convolvulus purpureus Spicaefolius Lauander leafed Bindeweede This small purple Bindeweede where it naturally groweth is rather a plague then a pleasure to whatsoeuer groweth with it in the fields yet the beauty of the flower hath caused it to be receiued into Gardens bearing longer and smaller leaues then the last and such like small Bell-flowers but of a sad purple colour the roote is liâ—â—ng as the common kinds are and springeth againe where it hath been once sowne without feare of perishing The Place The first two greater kindes haue beene sent vs out of Italy but whether they had them from the East Indies or from some of the Easterne Countries on this side wee know not but they thriue reasonable well in our Country if the yeare be any thing kindly The next came out of America as his name testifieth The lesser blew kinde groweth naturally in many places both of Spaine and Portugall from whence I first receiued seedes from Guillaume Boel heretofore remembred The last groweth wilde in the fields about Dunmowe in Essex and in many other places of our owne Countrey likewise The Time The three first greater kindes flower not vntill the end of August or thereabouts and the seede ripeneth in September if the colds and frosts come not on too speedily The lesser kindes flower in Iune and Iuly The Names The first is called of some Campana Lazura as the Italians doe call it or Campana caerulea of others Convolvulus caeruleas maior siue Indicus and Flos noctis Of some Nil Auicennae The second is called Convolvulus trifolius or haederaceus for the distinction of the leaues In English wee call them eyther Great blew Bell-flowers or more vsually Great blew Bindeweedes That of America is diuersly called by diuers It is called Quamoclit of the Indians and by that name it was sent to Ioachinus Camerarius out of Italy where it is so called still as Fabius Columna setteth it downe and as my selfe also can witnesse it from thence being so sent vnto mee but Andraeas Caesalpinus calleth it Iasminum folio Millefolij supposing it to be a Iasmine Camerarius saith it may not vnfitly be called Convolvulus tenuifolius accounting it a kinde of Bindeweede Columna entituleth it Convolvulus pennatus exoticus rarior and saith it cannot bee referred to any other kinde of plant then to the Bindeweedes Hee that published the Curae posteriores of Clusius giueth it the name of Iasminum Americanum which I would doe also if I thought it might belong to that Family but seeing the face and forme of the plant better agreeing with the Bindeweedes or Bell-flowers I haue as you see inserted it among them and giuen it that name may bee most fit for it especially because it is but an annuall plant The lesser kindes haue their names sufficiently expressed in their titles The Vertues We know of no vse these haue in Physicke with vs although if the first be Nil of Auicen both he and Serapio say it purgeth strongly CHAP. LXXXVIII Stramonium Thorne-Apple VNto the Bell-flowers I must adioyne three other plants in the three seuerall Chapters following for some affinity of the flowers and first of the Thorne-Apples whereof there are two especiall kindes that is a greater and a lesser and of each some diuersity as shall be set downe 1. Stramonium maius album The great white flowred Thorne-Apple The greater Thorne-Apple
very large long thicke fat and faire greene leaues standing foreright for the most part and compassing the stalkes at the bottome of them being somewhat pointed at the end the stalke is greene and round sixe or seuen foote high at sometimes and in some places in others not past three or foure foote high diuided towards the toppe into many branches with leaues at euery ioynt and at the toppes of the branches many flowers the bottomes hereof are long and hollow and the toppes plaited or folded before they are open but being open are diuided sometimes into foure or more vsually into fiue corners somewhat like vnto other of the Bell-flowers but lying a little flatter open of a light carnation colour The seede is very small and browne contained in round heads that are clammy while they are greene and pointed at the end the roote is great whitish and woody at the head dispersing many long branches and small fibres vnder the ground whereby it is strongly fastened but perisheth with our violent frosts in the winter if it be left abroad in the garden but if it be housed or safely prouided for against the frostes the rootes will liue and spring afresh the next yeare There is of this kinde another sort whose leaues are as large and long as the former but thicker and of a more dead greene colour hanging downe to the ground-ward and scarce any standing forth-right as the former vnlesse they bee very young the flowers of this kinde are almost whole without any great shew of corners at the brims or edges in all other things there is no difference There is another whose large and thicke flat leaues doe compasse the stalke at the bottome and are as it were folded together one side vnto another the flowers are of a deeper blush or carnation colour and with longer points and corners then in any of the former and in these two things consisteth the difference from the others and is called Verines Tabacco Another hath his leaues not so large and long as the first and these haue short footestalkes whereon they stand and doe not compasse the stalke as the other doe the flower hereof is like the first but smaller and of a little paler colour Tabacco angustifolium Narrow leafed Tabacco This kinde of Tabacco hath somewhat lower and smaller stalkes then any of the former the leaues hereof are smaller and narrower and not altogether so thicke but more pointed and euery one standing vpon a footstalke an inch and a halfe long at the least the flowers hereof stand thicker together vpon the small branches somewhat larger of a deeper blush colour and more eminent corners then in any the former the seed and roots are alike and perish in like manner vnlesse it be brought into a cellar or other such couert to defend it from the extremitie of the Winter The Place America or the West Indies is the place where all these kindes doe grow naturally some in one place and some in another as in Peru Trinidado Hispaniola and almost in euery Iland and Countrey of the continent thereof with vs they are cherished in gardens as well for the medicinable qualities as for the beauty of the flowers The Time It flowreth in August seldome before and the seede is ripe quickly after If it once sowe it selfe in a Garden it will giue next year after young plants but for the most part they will spring vp late and therefore they that would haue them more early haue sowen the seede vpon a bed of dung and transplanted them afterwards The Names This plant hath gotten many names The Indians call it in some places Petum in others Picielt and Perebecenuâ— as Ouiedus and others doe relate The Spaniards in the Indies first called it Tabacco of an Iland where plenty of it grew It hath in Christendome receiued diuers other names as Nicotiana of one Nicot a French man who seeing it in Portugall sent it to the French Queene from whom it receiued the name of Herba Regina Lobel calleth it Sancta herba Sana sancta Indorum Some haue adiudged it to be an Hioscyamus and therefore call it Peruvianus The most vsuall name wherby we call it in English is Tabacco The Vertues The herbe is out of question an excellent helpe and remedy for diuers diseases if it were rightly ordered and applyed but the continuall abuse thereof in so many doth almost abolish all good vse in any Notwithstanding if men would apply their wits to the finding out of the vertues I make no doubt but many strange cures would bee performed by it both inward and outward For outward application a Salue made hereof as is before recited of the Thorne apple leaues cureth vlcers and wounds of hard curation And for inward helpes a Syrupe made of the iuice and sugar or honey procureth a gentle vomit but the dryed leafe infused in wine much more and is effectuall in astmaticall diseases if it bee carefully giuen And likewise cleanseth cankers and fistulaes admirably as hath beene found by late experience The ashes of Tabacco is often vsed and with good successe for cuts in the hands or other places and for other small greene wounds CHAP. XC Mirabilia Peruviana The Meruaile of Peru. THis plant yeeldeth in our Gardens fiue or sixe seuerall varieties of beautifull flowers as pure white pure yellow pure red white and red spotted and red and yellow spotted But besides these I haue had some other sorts among which was one of a pale purple or peach colour all which comming vnto mee out of Spaine with many other seedes in an vnkindly yeare an early winter following a cold summer perished with mee yet I plainely might discerne by their leaues and manner of growing to be diuers from them that we now haue and keepe I shall need therefore because the chiefest difference consisteth almost in the flowers to giue only one description of the plant and therein shew the varieties as is before declared Admirabilis The Meruaile of the World The stalke of this meruellous plant is great and thick bigger then any mans thumbe bunched out or swelling at euery ioynt in some the stalkes will bee of a faire greene colour and those will bring white or white and red flowers in others they will bee reddish and more at the ioynts and those giue red flowers and in some of a darker greene colour which giue yellow flowers the stalkes and ioynts of those that will giue red and yellow flowers spotted are somewhat brownish but not so red as those that giue wholly red flowers vpon these stalkes that spread into many branches doe grow at the ioynts vpon seuerall footestalkes faire greene leaues broad at the stalke and pointed at the end at the ioynts likewise toward the vpper part of the branches at the foote of the leaues come forth seuerall flowers vpon short footestalkes euery one being small long and hollow from the bottome to the brimme which is broade spread open
the common sort but of a blush colour 3. Digitalis media flore luteo rubente Orenge tawnie Foxegloue As this Foxegloue is none of the greatest so also is it none of the smallest but a sort betweene both hauing leaues in some proportion correspondent to the lesser yellow Foxegloue but not so large as the lesser white the flowers are long and narrow almost as large as the last white but nothing so large as the first white of a faire yellowish browne colour as if the yellow were ouershadowed with a reddish colour and is that colour wee vsually call an Orenge tawnie colour the seede is like the former the rootes perish euery yeare that they beare seede which is vsually the second yeare of the springing 4. Digitalis maior alba The greater white Foxegloue This white Foxegloue is in all things so like vnto the purple wilde kinde that it can hardly be distinguished from it vnlesse it be in the fresher greennesse and largenesse of the leaues the flowers are as great in a manner as the purple but wholly white without any spot in them the seed and other things agree in all points 5. Digitalis alba altera seu minor The lesser white Foxegloue We haue in our Gardens another sort of white Foxegloue whose leaues are like vnto the last described but not altogether so long or large and of a darker greene colour the stalke groweth not so high as not full three foote the flowers are pure white fashioned like vnto the former but not so great or large in all other things alike the rootes hereof did abide sometime in our Gardens but since perished and the seede also since when we neuer could obtaine from any our friends of that kinde againe 6. Digitalis maior lutea flore amplo The great yellow Foxegloue The leaues of this greater yellow Foxegloue are in forme somewhat like vnto the common purple kinde but not altogether so large the stalke groweth to bee three or foure foote high whereon stand many long hollow pendulous flowers in shape like the ordinary purple but somewhat shorter and more large and open at the brimmes of a faire yellow colour wherein are long threads like as in the others the roote hereof is greater at the head and more wooddy then any of the rest with many smaller fibres spreading themselues in the ground and abideth almost as well as our common purple kinde 7. Digitalis minor lutea siue pallida The small pale yellow Foxegloue This small pale yellow Foxegloue hath somewhat short broad smooth and darke greene leaues snipt or dented about the edges very finely the stalke is two foot high beset with such like leaues but lesser the flowers are moe in number then in any of the rest except the first and greatest and growe along the vpper part of the stalke being long and hollow like the other but very small and of a pale yellow colour almost white the seede vessels are small like the former wherein are contained seede like the rest but smaller the rootes are stringy but durable and seldome perish with any iniury of the extreamest frosts The Place The great white kinde hath been often and in many places found wilde in our owne Country among or hard by the common purple kinde All the rest are strangers but cherished in our Gardens The Time They flower in Iune and Iuly and some in August their seede becomming ripe quickly after The Names Onely the name Digitalis is of all Writers giuen vnto these plants for it is not knowne to bee remembred of any of the old Authors Wee call them generally in English Foxegloue but some as thinking it to bee too foolish a name doe call them Finger-flowers because they are like vnto the fingers of a gloue the ends cut off The Vertues Foxegloues are not vsed in Physicke by any iudicious man that I know yet some Italians of Bononia as Camerarius saith in his time vsed it as a wound herbe CHAP. XCVIII Verbascum Mullein THere be diuers kindes of Mullein as white Mullein blacke Mullein wooddy Mullein base Mullein Moth Mullein and Ethiopian Mullein all which to distinguish or to describe is neither my purpose nor the intent of this worke which is to store a Garden with flowers of delight and sequester others not worthy of that honour Those that are fit to bee brought to your consideration in this place are first the Blattarias or Moth Mulleins and then the wooddy Mullein which otherwise is called French Sage and lastly the Ethiopian Mullein whose beauty consisteth not in the flower but in the whole plant yet if it please you not take it according to his Country for a Moore an Infidell a Slaue and so vse it 1. Blattaria lutea odorata Sweete yellow Moth Mullein The yellow Moth Mullein whose flower is sweete hath many hard grayish greene leaues lying on the ground somewhat long and broad and pointed at the end the stalks are two or three foot high with some leaues on them branching out from the middle vpwards into many long branches stored with many small pale yellow flowers of a pretty sweete sent somewhat stronger then in the other sorts which seldome giueth seede but abideth in the roote liuing many yeares which few or none of the others doe 2. Blattaria lutea maior siue Hispanica The great yellow Moth Mullein This Spanish kinde hath larger and greener leaues then the former and rounder and larger then the next that followeth the stalke is higher then in any of the Moth Mulleins being for the most part foure or fiue foote high whereon toward the toppe growe many goodly yellow flowers consisting of fiue leaues as all the rest doe not so thicke set as the former but much larger with some small purplish threads in the middle the ends whereof are fashioned somewhat like as if a Flie were creeping vp the flower which turne into round heads sometimes two or three or more standing together but vsually one wherein lye small duskie seed the roote is not great nor full of threads and doth perish most vsually hauing giuen seede except the Winter bee very milde 3. Blattaria lutea altera vulgatior The ordinary yellow Moth Mullein This yellow Moth Mullein which is the most frequent in our Gardens hath longer and narrower leaues then any of the former and roundly notched or dented on the edges of a darke greene colour the stalke is sometimes branched but most vsually single whereon stand many gold yellow flowers not fully so large as the Spanish kinde but with the like purple threads in the middle the seede is small and contained in the like round heads but alwaies euery one single by it selfe the roote perisheth euery yeare that it beareth seede 4. Blattaria flore luteo purpurascente Cloth of gold Moth Mullein The greatest point of difference betweene this and the last described consisteth chiefly in the colour of the flower which in this is of the colour of cloth of gold that
at the ioynts but they are broader and larger by the halfe the flowers are larger consisting of fiue leaues that are blew a little deeper then the former blew this plant is farre tenderer to keepe then the other and therefore would stand warme as well as in a moist shadowie place 4. Clematis altera siue vrens flore albo Burning Clamberer or Virgins Bower This Causticke or burning Climer hath very long and climing tender branches yet somewhat woody below which winde about those things that stand neere it couered with a brownish greene barke from the ioynts whereof shoote forth many winged leaues consisting for the most part of fiue single leaues that is two and two together and one at the end which are a little cut in or notched on the edges here and there but euery part of them is lesser then the leaues of the next following Climer without any clasping tendrels to winde about any thing at all towards the vpper part of the branches with the said leaues come forth long stalks wheron stand many white flowers clustering together opening the brims into sixe or eight small leaues spreading like a starre very sweet of smell or rather of a strong heady sent which after turne into flattish and blackish seede plumed at the head which plume or feather flyeth away with the winde after it hath stood long and leaueth the seede naked or bare the roote is white and thicke fleshie and tender or easie to be broken as my selfe can well testifie in that desiring to take a sucker from the roote I could not handle it so tenderly but that it broke notwithstanding all my care Master Gerard in his Herball maketh mention of one of this kinde with double white flowers which hee saith he recouered from the seede was sent him from Argentine that is Strasborough whereof hee setteth forth the figure with double flowers but I neuer saw any such with him neither did I euer heare of any of this kinde with double flowers Clusius indeed saith that hee receiued from a friend some seede vnder the name of Clematis flore albo pleno but he doubteth whether there bee any such the plants that sprang with him from that seede were like vnto the vpright kinde called Flammila Matthioli or Iouis cresta as he there saith but assuredly I haue beene informed from some of my especiall friends beyond Sea that they haue a double white Clematis and haue promised to send it but whether it will be of the climing or vpright sort I cannot tell vntill I see it but surely I doe much doubt whether the double will giue any good seede 5. Clematis altera siue peregrina flore rubro Red Ladies Bower This Climer hath many limber and weake climing branches like the former couered with a browne thin outer barke and greene vnderneath the leaues stand at the ioynts consisting but of three leaues or parts whereof some are notched on one side and some on both without any clasping tendrels also but winding with his branches about any thing standeth next vnto it the flowers in like manner come from the same ioynts with the leaues but not so many together as the former vpon long footstalkes consisting of foure leaues a peece standing like a crosse of a darke red colour the seed is flat and round and pointed at the end three or foure or more standing close together vpon one stalk without any doune vpon them at all as in the former the roots are a bundell of brownish yellow strong strings running down deep into the ground from a bigge head aboue 6. Clematis peregrina flore purpureo simplici Single purple Ladies Bower This Ladies Bower differeth in nothing from the last described but onely in the colour of the flower which is of a sad blewish purple colour so that the one is not possible to be known from the other vntill they be in flower 7. Clematis peregrina flore purpureo pleno Double flowred purple Ladies Bower This double Clematis hath branches and leaues so neere resembling the single kinds that there can be knowne no difference vnlesse it be that this groweth more goale and great and yeeldeth both more store of branches from the ground and more spreading aboue the chiefest marke to distinguish it is the flower which in this is very thicke and double consisting of a number of smaller leaues set close together in order in the middle the foure outermost leaues that encompasse them being much broader and larger then any of the inward but all of a dull or sad blewish purple colour the points or ends of the leaues seeming a little darker then the middle of them this beareth no seede that euer I could see heare of or learne by any of credit that haue noursed it a great while and therefore the tales of false deceitfull gardiners and others that diliuer such for truth to deceiue persons ignorant thereof must not bee credulously entertained In the great booke of the Garden of the Bishop of Eystot which place is neere vnto Noremberg in Germany I reade of a Clematis of this former kinde Clematis peregrina flore carnec caeruâ—eo whose figure is thereto also annexed with double flowers of an incarnate or pale purple tending to a blush colour whereof I haue not heard from any other place 8. Flammula Iouis erecta Vpright Virgins Bower This kinde of Clematis hath diuers more vpright stalkes then any of the foure last described sometimes foure or fiue foote high or more yet leaning or bending a little so that it had some neede of sustaining couered with a brownish barke from whence come forth on all sides diuers winged leaues consisting of fiue or seuen leaues set on both sides of a middle ribbe whereof one is at the end the tops of the stalkes are diuided into many branches bearing many white sweet smelling flowers on them like in fashion vnto the white Virgins Bower after which come such like feather topt seede which remaine and shew themselues being flat like the other when the plumes are blowne abroad the roote spreadeth in the ground from a thicke head into many long strings and fasteneth it selfe strongly in the earth but all the stalkes dye downe euery yeare and spring afresh in the beginning of the next 9. Clematis caerulea Pannonica The Hungarian Climer The stalks of this plant stand vpright are foure square bearing at euery ioynt two leaues which at the first are closed together and after they are open are somewhat like vnto the leaues of Asclepias or Swallow-wort from the tops of the stalks and sometimes also from the sides by the leaues commeth forth one flower bending the head downward consisting of foure leaues somewhat long narrow standing like a crosse and turning vp their ends a little againe of a faire blew or skie colour with a thicke pale yellow short thrumme made like a head in the middle after the flower is past the head turneth into such a like round
feather topt ball as is to be seene in the Trauellers ioy or Viorna as it is called that groweth plentifully in Kent and in other places by the way sides and in the hedges wherein is included such like flat seede These stalkes like as the last dye downe to the ground euery yeare and rise againe in the Spring following shooting out new branches and therby encreaseth in the root 10. Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana The Virginia Climer Because this braue and too much desired plant doth in some things resemble the former Climers so that vnto what other family or kindred I might better conioyne it I know not let me I pray insert it in the end of their Chapter with this description It riseth out of the ground very late in the yeare about the beginning of May if it be a plant hath risen from the seed of our owne sowing and if it be an old one such as hath been brought to vs from Virginia not till the end thereof with a round stalke not aboue a yard and a halfe high in any that I haue seene but in hotter Countries as some Authors haue set it downe much higher bearing one leafe at euery ioynt which from the ground to the middle thereof hath no claspers but from thence vpwards hath at the same ioynt with the leafe both a small twining clasper like vnto a Vine and a flower also euery leafe is broad at the stalke thereof and diuided about the middle on both sides making it somewhat resemble a Figge leafe ending in three points whereof the middlemost is longest the bud of the flower before it doe open is very like vnto the head or seede vessell of the ordinary single Nigella hauing at the head or top fiue small crooked hornes which when this bud openeth are the ends or points of fiue leaues that are white on the inside and lay themselues flat like vnto an Anemone and are a little hollow like a scoope at the end with fiue other smaller leaues and whiter then they lying betweene them which were hid in the bud before it opened so that this flower being full blowne open consisteth of ten white leaues laide in order round one by another from the bottome of these leaues on the inside rise diuers twined threads which spread and lay themselues all ouer these white leaues reaching beyond the points of them a little and are of a reddish peach colour towards the bottomes likewise of these white leaues there are two red circles about the breadth of an Oten strawe one distant from another and in some flowers there is but one circle seen which adde a great grace vnto the flower for the white leaues shew their colour through the peach coloured threads and these red circles or rings vpon them being also perspicuous make a tripartite shew The Iesuites Figure of the Maracoc GRANADILLVS FRVTEX INDICVS CHRISTI PASSIONIS IMAGO of colours most delightfull the middle part of this flower is hollow and yellowish in the bottome whereof riseth vp an vmbone or round stile somewhat bigge of a whitish greene colour spotted with reddish spots like the stalkes of Dragons with fiue round threads or chiues spotted in the like manner and tipt at the ends with yellow pendents standing about the middle part of the said vmbone and from thence rising higher endeth in three long crooked hornes most vsually but sometimes in foure as hath beene obserued in Rome by Dr. Aldine that set forth some principall things of Cardinall Farnesius his Garden spotted like the rest hauing three round greene buttons at their ends these flowers are of a comfortable sweete sent very acceptable which perish without yeelding fruit with vs because it flowreth so late but in the naturall place and in hot Countries it beareth a small round whitish fruit with a crowne at the toppe thereof wherein is contained while it is fresh and before it be ouer dried a sweet liquor but when it is dry the seede within it which is small flat somewhat rough and blacke will make a ratling noise the rootes are composed of a number of exceeding long and round yellowish browne strings spreading farre abroad vnder the ground I haue seene some rootes that haue beene brought ouer that were as long as any rootes of Sarsa parilla and a great deale bigger which to be handsomely laid into the ground were faine to be coyled like a cable and shooting vp in seuerall places a good distance one from another whereby it may be well encreased The Place The first blew Perwinkle groweth in many Woods and Orchards by the hedge sides in England and so doth the white here and there but the other single and double purple are in our Gardens onely The great Perwinkle groweth in Prouence of France in Spaine and Italy and other hot Countries where also growe all the twining Clamberers as well single as double but both the vpright ones doe growe in Hungary and thereabouts The surpassing delight of all flowers came from Virginia Wee preserue them all in our Gardens The Time The Perwinkles doe flower in March and Aprill The Climers not vntill the end of Iune or in Iuly and sometimes in August The Virginian somewhat later in August yet sometimes I haue knowne the flower to shew it selfe in Iuly The Names The first is out of question the first Clematis of Dioscorides and called of 1 Thalspi Creticum Candy tufts 2 Vinca peruinca flore simplici Single Perwinkle 3 Vinca peruinca flore duplici Double Perwinkle 4 Flammula Matthioli Vpright Virgins Bower 5 Clematis peregrina flore simplici The single Ladies Bower 6 Clematis peregrina flore pleno purpureo Double flowred Ladies Bower 7 Maracoc siue Clematis Virginiana The Virginian Climer many Clematis Daphnoides but not that plant that is simply called Daphnoides for that is Laureola and is vsually called Vinca pervinca but it is not Chamaedaphne for that is another plant as shall be shewed in his place some call it Centunculus In English wee call it Perwinkle The other is Clematis altera of Dioscorides and is called also Clematis peregrina whose distinctions are set downe in their titles In English Ladies Bower or Virgins Bower because they are fit to growe by Arbours to couer them The first vpright Clamberer is called and that rightly of some Clematis erecta or surrecta Of others Flammula frutex and Flammula Iouis or surrecta In English Vpright Virgins Bower The next is called by Clusius Clematis Pannonica caerulea who thought it to be Climeni species by the relation of others at the first but after entituled it Clematis In English the Hungarian Climer The last may be called in Latine Clematis Virginiana In English The Virgin or Virginian Climer of the Virginians Maracoc of the Spaniards in the West Indies Granadillo because the fruit as is before said is in some fashion like a small Pomegranate on the outside yet the seede within is flattish round and blackish Some superstitious
of a paler red colour almost tending to blush and in the other are white the greene leaues also being of a little fresher colour after the flowers are past in the hot countries but neuer in ours there come vp long bending or crooked flat pods whose outward shell is hard almost woody and of a browne colour wherein is contained small flat brownish seede wrapped in a great deale of a brownish yellow doune as fine almost as silke somewhat like vnto the huskes of Asclepias or Periploca but larger flatter and harder as my selfe can testifie who had some of the pods of this Rose bay brought mee out of Spaine by Master Doctor Iohn More the seedes whereof I sowed and had diuers plants that I raised vp vnto a reasonable height but they require as well old as young to bee defended from the colde of our winters 3. Laurocerasus The Bay Cherry This beautifull Bay in his naturall place of growing groweth to bee a tree of a reasonable bignesse and height and oftentimes with vs also if it bee pruined from the lower branches but more vsually in these colder Countries it groweth as a shrub or hedge bush shooting forth many branches whereof the greater and lower are couered with a darke grayish greene barke but the young ones are very greene whereon are set many goodly faire large thicke and long leaues a little dented about the edges of a more excellent fresh shining greene colour and farre larger then any Bay leafe and compared by many to the leaues of the Pomeritron tree which because wee haue none in our Countrey cannot be so well known both for colour and largenesse which yeeld a most gracefull aspect it beareth long stalkes of whitish flowers at the ioynts of the leaues both along the branches and towards the ends of them also like vnto the Birds Cherry or Padus Theophrasti which the French men call Putier Cerisier blanc but larger and greater consisting of fiue leaues with many threds in the middle after which commeth the fruite or berries as large or great as Flanders Cherries many growing together one by another on a long stalke as the flowers did which are very blacke and shining on the outside with a little point at the end and reasonable sweete in taste wherein is contained a hard round stone very like vnto a Cherry stone as I haue obserued as well by those I receiued out of Italie as by them I had of Master Iames Cole a Merchant of London lately deceased which grew at his house in Highgate where there is a faire tree which hee defended from the bitternesse of the weather in winter by casting a blanket ouer the toppe thereof euery yeare thereby the better to preserue it The Place The first is not certainly knowne from whence it came and is communicated by the suckers it yeeldeth The second groweth in Spaine Italie Grece and many other places that with white flowers is recorded by Bellonius to grow in Candy The last as Matthiolus and after him Clusius report came first from Constantinople I had a plant hereof by the friendly gift of Master Iames Cole the Merchant before remembred a great louer of all rarities who had it growing with him at his countrey house in Highgate aforesaid where it hath flowred diuers times and borne ripe fruit also The Time The first flowreth many times in the end of the yeare before Christmas and often also in Ianuary but the most kindly time is in March and Aprill when the flowers are sweetest The second flowreth not vntill Iuly The last in May and the fruit is ripe in August and September The Names The first is called Laurus siluestris and Laurus Tinus in English Wilde Bay or Sweete flowring Bay The second is called Laurus Rosea Oleander Nerium and Rhododendros in English The Rose Bay and Oleander The last was sent by the name of Trebezon Curmasi that is to say Dactylus Trapezuntina but not hauing any affinitie with any kinde of Date Bellonius as I thinke first named it Laurocerasus and Cerasus Trapezuntina Dalechampius thinketh it to bee Lotus Aphricana but Clusius refuteth it Those stones or kernels that were sent me out of Italie came by the name of Laurus Regia The Kings Bay Wee may most properly call it according to the Latine name in the title The Cherry bay or Bay Cherry because his leaues are like vnto Bay-leaues and both flowers and fruit like vnto the Birdes Cherry or Cluster Cherry for the manner of the growing and therfore I might more fitly I confesse haue placed it in my Orchard among the sorts of Cherries but the beautifulnesse of the plant caused mee rather to insert it here The Vertues The wilde Bay hath no propertie allotted vnto it in Physicke for that it is not to be endured the berries being chewed declare it to be so violent hot and choking The Rose Bay is said by Dioscorides to be death to all foure footed beasts but contrariwise to man it is a remedie against the poison of Serpents but especially if Rue bee added vnto it The Cherry Bay is not knowne with vs to what physicke vse it may be applyed CHAP. CIIII. Cerasus flore multiplici The Rose or double blossomd Cherry Malus flore multiplici The double blossomd Apple tree And Malus Persica flore multiplici The double blossomd Peach tree THe beautifull shew of these three sorts of flowers hath made me to insert them into this garden in that for their worthinesse I am vnwilling to bee without them although the rest of their kindes I haue transferred into the Orchard where among other fruit trees they shall be remembred for all these here set downe seldome or neuer beare any fruite and therefore more fit for a Garden of flowers then an Orchard of fruite Cerasus flore pleno vel multiplici The Rose Cherry or double blossomd Cherry The double blossomed Cherry tree is of two sorts for the flower but not differing in any other part from the ordinary English or Flanders Cherry tree growing in the very like manner the difference consisteth in this that the one of these two sorts hath white flowers lesse double that is of two rowes or more of leaues and the other more double or with more rowes of leaues and besides I haue obserued in this greater double blossomd Cherry that some yeares most of the flowers haue had another smaller and double flower rising vp out of the middle of the other like as is to bee seene in the double English Crow-foote and double redde Ranunculus or Crowfoote before described this I say doth not happen euery yeare but sometimes Sometimes also these trees will giue a few berries here and there scattered and that with lesse double flowers more often which are like vnto our English Cherries both for taste and bignesse These be very fit to be set by Arbours 1 Cerasus flore pleno The double blossomd Cherry tree 2 Malus flore multiplici The double
a yellow Iasmine but differeth much from their tribe in many notable points but because the flowers haue some likenesse with the flowers of the true Iasmine it hath been vsually called a Iasmine and therefore I am content for this Garden to conioyne them in one Chapter 1. Iasminum album The white Iasmine The white Iasmine hath many twiggy flexible greene branches comming forth of the sundry bigger boughes or stems that rise from the roote which are couered with a grayish darke coloured barke hauing a white pith within it like the Elder but not so much the winged leaues stand alwaies two together at the ioynts being made of manie small and pointed leaues set on each side of a middle ribbe six most vsually on both sides with one at the end which is larger more pointed then any of the rest and of a darke greene colour at the toppes of the young branches stand diuers flowers together as it were in an vmbell or ruft each whereof standeth on a long greene stalke comming out of a small huske being small long and hollow belowe opening into fiue white small pointed leaues of a very strong sweete smell which fall away without bearing any fruit at all that euer I could learne in our Country but in the hot Countries where it is naturall it is said to beare flat fruit like Lupines the rootes spread farre and deepe and are long and hard to growe vntill they haue taken strong hold in the ground 2. Iasminum Catalonicum The Spanish Iasmine This Catalonia Iasmine groweth lower then the former neuer rising halfe so high and hath slender long greene branches rising from the toppe of the wooddy stemme with such like leaues set on them as the former but somewhat shorter and larger the flowers also are like vnto the former and stand in the same manner at the end of the branches but are much larger being of a blush colour before they are blowne and white with blush edges when they are open exceeding sweete of smell more strong then the former 3. Iasminum luteum siue Trifolium fruticans alijs Polemonium The yellow Iasmine This that is called the yellow Iasmine hath many long slender twiggy branches rising from the roote greene at the first and couered with a darke grayish barke afterwards whereon are set at certaine distances three small darke greene leaues together the end leafe being alwaies the biggest at the ioynts where the leaues come forth stand long stalkes bearing long hollow flowers ending in fiue and some in six leaues very like vnto the flowers of the first Iasmine but yellow whereupon it is vsually called the Yellow Iasmine after the flowers are past there come in their places round blacke shining berries of the bignesse of a great Pease or bigger full of a purplish iuyce which will dye ones fingers that bruise them but a little the roote is tough and white creeping farre about vnder the ground shooting forth plentifully whereby it greatly encreaseth The Place The first is verily thought to haue been first brought to Spaine out of Syria or thereabouts and from Spaine to vs and is to be seene very often and in many of our Country Gardens The second hath his breeding in Spaine also but whether it be his originall place we know not and is scarce yet made well acquainted with our English ayre The third groweth plentifully about Mompelier and will well abide in our London Gardens and any where else The Time The first flowreth not vntill the end of Iuly The second somewhat earlier The third in Iuly also The Names The first is generally called Iasminum album and Gelseminum album In English The white Iasmine The second hath his name in his title as much as may be said of it The third hath been taken of some to be a Cytisus others iudge it to be Polemonium but the truest name is Trifolium fruticans although many call it Iasminum luteum In English most vsually The yellow Iasmine for the reasons aforesaid or else after the Latine name Shrubbie Trefoile or Make-bate The Vertues The white Iasmines haue beene in all times accepted into outward medicines eyther for the pleasure of the sweete sent or profit of the warming properties And is in these dayes onely vsed as an ornament in Gardens or for sent of the flowers in the house c. The yellow Iasmine although some haue adiudged it to be the Polemonium of Dioscorides yet it is not vsed to those purposes by any that I know CHAP. CVII Syringa The Pipe tree VNder the name of Syringa is contained two speciall kinds of Shrubs or Trees differing one from another namely the Lilac of Matthiolus which is called Syringa caerulea and is of two or three sorts And the Syringa alba which also is of two sorts as shall bee declared 1. Lilac siue Syringa caerulea The blew Pipe tree The blew Pipe tree riseth sometimes to be a great tree as high and bigge in the bodie as a reasonable Apple tree as I haue in some places seene and obserued but most vsually groweth lower with many twigs or branches rising from the roote hauing as much pith in the middle of them as the Elder hath couered with a grayish greene barke but darker in the elder branches with ioynts set at a good distance one from another and two leaues at euery ioynt which are large broad and pointed at the ends many of them turning or folding both the sides inward and standing on long foote-stalkes at the toppes of the branches come forth many flowers growing spike-fashion that is a long branch of flowers vpon a stalke each of these flowers are small long and hollow belowe ending aboue in a pale blewish flower consisting of foure small leaues of a pretty small sent after the flowers are past there come sometimes but it is not often in our Country vnlesse the tree haue stood long and is grown great the suckers being continually taken away that it may growe the better long and flat cods consisting as it were of two sides a thin skinne being in the midst wherein are contained two long flattish red seede the rootes are strong and growe deepe in the ground 2. Syringa flore lacteo siue argenteo The siluer coloured Pipe tree This Pipe tree differeth not from the former blew Pipe tree either in stemme or branches either in leaues or flowers or manner of growing but onely in the colour of the flower which in this is of a milke or siluer colour which is a kinde of white wherein there is a thinne wash or light shew of blew shed therein comming somewhat neare vnto an ash-colour 3. Lilac lacimatis folijs The blew Pipe tree with cut leaues This Pipe tree should not differ from the first in any other thing then in the leaues which are said to be cut in on the edges into seuerall parts as the relation is giuen à viris fide dignis for as yet I neuer saw any such but I here
on the one part cornered on the other and sharpe pointed greene on both sides almost alike hauing so slender long footestalkes that the leaues cannot stand forthright but bend downwards with a more rugged barke then the white Poplar tree Clusius thinketh this large description is but an ample description of the third kinde of Poplar called Lybica the Aspen tree which Gaza translateth Alpina but who so will well consider it shall finde it neyther answerable to any Poplar tree in that it beareth not cods as Cercis doth nor vnto this Arbor Iudae because it beareth not white branches Clusius saith also that the learned of Mompelier in his time referred it to Colytea of Theophrastus in his third booke and seuenteenth chapter where he doth liken it to the leaues of the broadest leafed Bay tree but larger and rounder green on the vpperside and whitish vnderneath and whereunto as he saith Theophrastus giueth cods in the fourteenth chapter of the same third booke and by the contracting of their descriptions both together saith they agree vnto this Iudas tree But I find some doubts and differences in these places for the Colutaea that Dioscorides mentioneth in the said fourteenth chapter of his third booke hath as he saith there a leafe like vnto the Willow and therefore cannot bee the same Colutaea mentioned in the seuenteenth chapter of the same third book which hath a broade Bay leafe indeede hee giueth seede in cods but that with broade Bay leaues is as he saith without eyther flower or fruite and besides all this he saith the rootes are very yellow which is not to bee found in this Arbor Iudae or Iudas tree let others now iudge if these things can bee well reconciled together Some haue for the likenesse of the cods vnto Beane cods called it Fabago And Clusius called it Siliqua siluestris It is generally in these dayes called Arbor Iudae and in English after the Latine name vntill a fitter may be had Iudas tree The Vertues There is nothing extant in any Author of any Physicall vse it hath neyther hath any later experience found out any CHAP. CXX Laburnum Beane Trefoile THere be three sorts of these codded trees or plants one neere resembling another whereof Anagyris of Dioscorides is one The other two are called Laburnum the larger whereof Matthiolus calleth Anagyris altera and so doe some others also the third is of the same kinde with the second but smaller I shall not for this our Garden trouble you or my selfe with any more of them then one which is the lesser of the two Liburnum in that it is more frequent and that it will far better abide then the Anagyris which is so tender that it will hardly endure the winters of our Countrey and the greater Laburnum is not so easily to be had Laburnum Beane Trefoile This codded tree riseth vp with vs like vnto a tall tree with a reasonable great body if it abide any long time in a place couered with a smooth greene barke the branches are very long greene pliant and bending any way whereon are set here and there diuers leaues three alwaies standing together vpon a long stalk being somwhat long and not very narrow pointed at the ends greene on the vpperside and of a siluer shining colour vnderneath without any smell at all at the ioynts of these branches where the leaues stand come forth many flowers much like vnto broome flowers but not so large or open growing about a very long branch or stalke sometimes a good span or more in length and of a faire yellow colour but not very deepe after which come flatthin cods not very long or broade but as tough and hard as the cods of Broome wherein are contained blackish seede like but much lesse then the seede of Anagyris vera which are as big as a kidney beane purplish and spotted the roote thrusteth down deepe into the ground spreading also farre and is of a yellowish colour The Place This tree groweth naturally in many of the woods of Italie and vpon the Alpes also and is therefore still accounted to be that Laburnum that Plinie calleth Arbor Alpina It groweth in many gardens with vs. The Time It flowreth in May the fruit or cods and the seedes therein are ripe in the end of August or in September The Names This tree as I said before is called of Matthiolus Anagyris altera siue secunda of Cordus Gesner and others especially of most now adayes Laburnum It is probable in my opinion that this should bee that Colutaea of Theophrastus mentioned in the fourteenth Chapter of his third book with the leafe of a Willow for if you take any one leafe by it selfe it may well resemble a Willow leafe both for forme and colour and beareth small seed in cods like vnto pulse as that doth Of some it hath beene taken for a kinde of Cytisus but not truely We call it in English Beane Trefoile in regard of his cods and seede therein somewhat like vnto Kidney Beanes and of the leaues three alwayes standing together vntill a more proper name may bee giuen it The Vertues There is no vse hereof in Physicke with vs nor in the naturall place of the growing saue only to prouoke a vomit which it will doe very strongly CHAP. CXXI Cytisus Tree Trefoile THere are so many sorts of Cytisus or Tree trefoiles that if I should relate them all I should weary the Reader to ouerlooke them whereof the most part pertaine rather to a generall worke then to this abstract I shall not therefore trouble you with any superfluous but only with two which we haue noursed vp to furnish waste places in a garden Cytisus Maranthae Horned Tree Trefoile This Tree Trefoile which is held of most Herbarists to bee the true Cytisus of Dioscorides riseth vp to the height of a man at the most with a body of the bignesse of a mans thumbe couered with a whitish bark breaking forth into many whitish branches spreading farre beset in many places with small leaues three alwayes set together vpon a small short footestalke which are rounder and whiter then the leaues of Beane Trefoile at the ends of the branches for the most part come forth the flowers three or foure togethers of a fine gold colour and of the fashion of Broome flowers but not so large after the flowers are past there come in their places crooked flat thinne cods of the fashion of a halfe moone or crooked horne whitish when they are ripe wherein are contained blackish seede the roote is hard and woody spreading diuers wayes vnder the ground the whole plant hath a pretty small hot sent Cytisus vulgatior The common Tree Trefoile This Cytisus is the most common in this Land of any the other sorts of tree trefoiles hauing a blackish colourd barke the stemme or body whereof is larger then the former both for height and spreading bearing also three leaues together but smaller and greener then
giuen to children for the wormes in the stead of wormseed and so is the seede of Maudeline also Maudeline is much vsed with Costmary and other sweet herbes to make sweete washing water the flowers also are tyed vp with small bundels of Lauender toppes these being put in the middle of them to lye vpon the toppes of beds presses c. for the sweete sent and sauour it casteth It is generally accounted of our Apothecaries to be the true Eupatorium of Auicen and the true Ageratum of Dioscorides but Dodonaeus seemeth to contradict both CHAP. XII Tanacetum vulgare crispum Tansie OVr Garden Tansie hath many hard greene leaues or rather wings of leaues for they are many small ones set one against another all along a middle ribbe or stalke and snipt about the edges in some the leaues stand closer and thicker and somewhat crumpled which hath caused it to be called double or curld Tansie in others thinner and more sparsedly It riseth vp with many hard stalks whereon growe at the tops vpon the seuerall small branches gold yellow flowers like buttons which being gathered in their prime will hold the colour fresh a long time the seede is small and as it were chaffie the roote creepeth vnder ground and shooteth vp againe in diuers places the whole herbe both leaues and flowers are of a sharpe strong bitter smell and taste but yet pleasant and well to be endured The Vse of Tansie The leaues of Tansie are vsed while they are young either shred small with other herbes or else the iuyce of it and other herbes fit for the purpose beaten with egges and fryed into cakes in Lent and the Spring of the yeare which are vsually called Tansies and are often eaten being taken to be very good for the stomack to helpe to digest from thence bad humours that cleaue thereunto As also for weak raines and kidneyes when the vrine passeth away by drops This is thought to be of more vse for men then for women The seed is much commended against all sorts of wormes in children CHAP. XIII Pimpinella siue Sanguisorba Burnet BVrnet hath many winged leaues lying vpon the ground made of many small round yet pointed greene leaues finely nicked on the edges one set against another all along a middle ribbe and one at the end thereof from among which rise vp diuers round and sometimes crested browne stalkes with some few such like leaues on them as growe belowe but smaller at the toppes of the stalkes growe small browne heads or knaps which shoote forth small purplish flowers turning into long and brownish but a little cornered seede the roote groweth downe deepe being small and brownish the whole plant is of a stipticke or binding taste or quality but of a fine quicke sent almost like Baulme The Vse of Burnet The greatest vse that Burnet is commonly put vnto is to put a few leaues into a cup with Claret wine which is presently to be drunke and giueth a pleasant quicke taste thereunto very delightfull to the palate and is accounted a helpe to make the heart merrie It is sometimes also while it is young put among other Sallet herbes to giue a finer rellish thereunto It is also vsed in vulnerary drinkes and to stay fluxes and bleedings for which purposes it is much commended It hath beene also much commended in contagious and pestilentiall agues CHAP. XIIII Hippolapathum sativum siue Rhabarbarum Monachorum Monkes Rubarbe or Patience GArden Patience is a kinde of Docke in all the parts thereof but that it is larger and taller then many others with large and long greene leaues a great strong and high stalke with reddish or purplish flowers and three square seede like as all other Dockes haue the roote is great and yellow not hauing any shew of flesh coloured veines therein no more then the other kinde with great round thin leaues commonly called Hippolapathum rotundifolium Bastard Rubarbe or Monkes Rubarbe the properties of both which are of very weake effect but I haue a kinde of round leafed Dock growing in my Garden which was sent me from beyond Sea by a worthy Gentleman Mr. Dr. Matth. Lister one of the Kings Physitians with this title Rhaponticum verum and first grew with me before it was euer seen or known elsewhere in England which by proof I haue found to be so like vnto the true Rubarbe or the Rha of Pontus both for forme and colour that I dare say it is the very true Rubarbe our climate only making it lesse strong in working lesse heauy and lesse bitter in taste For this hath great and thicke rootes as diuersly discoloured with flesh coloured veines as the true Rubarbe as I haue to shew to any that are desirous to see and know it and also other smaller sprayes or branches of rootes spreading from the maine great roote which smaller branches may well be compared to the Rhaponticum which the Merchants haue brought vs which we haue seene to be longer and slenderer then Rubarbe but of the very same colour this beareth so goodly large leaues that it is a great beauty in a garden to behold them for I haue measured the stalke of the leafe at the bottome next the roote to bee of the bignesse of any mans thumbe and from the roote to the leafe it selfe to bee two foote in length and sometimes more and likewise the leafe it selfe from the lower end where it is ioyned to the stalke to the end or point thereof to bee also two foote in length and sometimes more and also in the broadest part of the leafe to be two foote or more ouer in breadth it beareth whitish flowers contrary to all other Dockes and three square brownish seede as other Dockes doe but bigger and therefore assuredly it is a Docke and the true Rubarbe of the Arabians or at the least the true Rhaponticum of the Ancients The figure of the whole plant I haue caused to be cut with a dryed roote as it grew in my garden by it selfe and haue inserted it here both because Matthiolus giueth a false figure of the true Rubarbe and that this hath not been expressed and set forth by any before The Vse of Patience and of the Rubarbe The leaues of Patience are often and of many vsed for a pot-herbe and seldome to any other purpose the roote is often vsed in Diet-beere or ale or in other drinkes made by decoction to helpe to purge the liuer and clense the blood The other Rubarbe or Rhaponticum wherof I make mention and giue you here the figure I haue tryed and found by experience to purge gently without that astriction that is in the true Rubarbe is brought vs from the East Indies or China and is also lesse bitter in taste whereby I coniecture it may bee vsed in hot and feauerish bodies more effectually because it doth not binde after the purging as the East India Rubarbe doth but this must bee giuen in double quantitie to the other and
then no doubt it will doe as well The leaues haue a fine acide taste A syrrupe therefore made with the iuice and sugar cannot but be very effectuall in deiected appetites and hot fits of agues as also to helpe to open obstructions of the liuer as diuers haue often tryed and found auaileable by experience CHAP. XV. Lapathum sanguineum Blood-wort AMong the sorts of pot-herbes Blood-worte hath alwayes beene accounted a principall one although I doe not see any great reason therein especially seeing there is a greater efficacie of binding in this Docke then in any of the other but as common vse hath receiued it so I here set it downe Blood-worte is out of the sorts of Dockes and hath long leaues like vnto the smaller yellow Docke but striped with red veines and ouer-shadowed with red vpon the greene leafe that it seemeth almost wholly red sometimes the stalke is reddish bearing such leaues but 1 Tanacetum Tansie 2 Pimpinella Burnet 3 Rhaponticum verum seu potius Rhabarbarum verum True Raponticke or rather true Rubarbe 4 Lapithum sativum seu Patientia Monkes Rubarbe or Patience 5 Lapathum sanguineum Bloudwort 6 Acetosa Sorrell smaller vp to the toppe where it is diuided into diuers small branches whereon grow purplish flowers and three square darke red seede like vnto others the roots are not great but somewhat long and very red abiding many yeares yet sometimes spoiled with the extremitie of winter The Vse of Blood-worte The whole and onely vse of the herbe almost serueth for the pot among other herbes and as I said before is accounted a most especiall one for that purpose The seede therof is much commended for any fluxe in man or woman to be inwardly taken and so no doubt is the roote being of a stipticke qualitie CHAP. XVI Oxalis siue Acetosa Sorrell SOrrell must needes bee reckoned with the Dockes for that it is so like vnto them in all things and is of many called the sower Docke Of Sorrels there are many sorts but I shall not trouble you with any other in this place then the common Garden Sorrell which is most knowne and of greatest vse with vs which hath tender greene long leaues full of iuice broade and bicorned as it were next vnto the stalke like as Arrach Spinach and our English Mercurie haue of a sharpe sower taste the stalkes are slender bearing purplish long heads wherein lye three square shining browne seede like but lesser then the other the root is smaller then any of the other Dockes but browne and full of strings and abideth without decaying hauing greene leaues all the winter except in the very extremitie thereof which often taketh away all or most of his leaues The Vse of Sorrell Sorrell is much vsed in sawces both for the whole and the sicke cooling the hot liuers and stomackes of the sicke and procuring vnto them an appetite vnto meate when their spirits are almost spent with the violence of their furious or fierie fits and is also of a pleasant rellish for the whole in quickning vp a dull stomacke that is ouer-loaden with euery daies plenty of dishes It is diuers waies dressed by Cooks to please their Masters stomacks CHAP. XVII Buglossum luteum siue Lingua Bouis Langdebeefe VNto this place may well bee referred our ordinary Borage and Buglosse set forth in the former Booke in regard of the properties whereunto they are much employed that is to serue the pot among other herbes as is sufficiently knowne vnto all And yet I confesse that this herbe although it bee called Buglossum luteum as if it were a kind of Buglosse hath no correspondency with Buglosse or Borage in any part sauing only a little in the leafe our Borage or Buglosse might more fitly according to the Greeke name bee called Oxe tongue or Langdebeefe and this might in my iudgement more aptly be referred to the kinds of Hieratium Hawkeweed whereunto it neerest approacheth but as it is commonly receiued so take it in this place vntill it come to receiue the place is proper for it It hath diuers broad and long darke green leaues lying vpon the ground very rough in handling full of small haires or prickes ready to enter into the hands of any that handle it among which riseth 1 Lingua bouis siue Buglossum luteum Langdebeefe 2 Atriplex siue Olus aureum Arrach 3 Blitum Blites 4 Beta Beetes 5 Hipposelinum siue Olus atrum Allisanders 6 Selinum dulce Sweete Parsley vp a round greene hairy or prickly stalk bearing at the toppe among a few small green leaues diuers small yellow flowers in rough heads which turne into doune containing within them browne yellowish small long seedes somewhat like vnto the seede of Hawkeweede the roote is wooddy which perisheth quickly after it hath borne seed but is tender while it is young The Vse of Langdebeefe The leaues are onely vsed in all places that I know or euer could learne for an herbe for the pot among others and is thought to bee good to loosen the belly CHAP. XVIII Atriplex siue Olus Aureum Arrach THere be diuers kindes of Arrach or Orach as some doe call them some of the Garden whereof I meane to entreate in this place others wilde of the Fieldes c. and others of the Sea which are not to bee spoken of in this worke but referred to a generall historie The white garden Arrach or Orach hath diuers leaues standing vpon their seuerall footestalkes broade at the bottome ending in two points like an arrow with two feathers at the head and small pointed at the end of the leafe of a whitish yellow greene colour and as it were strewed ouer with flower or meale especially while they are young the stalke likewise is mealy bearing many branches with small yellow flowers on them which turne into small leafie seeds the rooote groweth somewhat deepe in the ground with many small threds fastened thereto it quickly springeth vp of the seede groweth great and fadeth away as soon as it hath borne seede The purple Arrach is in all things like vnto the white sauing onely in the colour of the leafe stalke seede c. which are all of a mealy dusty purplish colour The Vse of Arrach Arrach is cold and moist and of a lubricke or slippery qualitie whereby it quickely passeth through the stomacke and belly and maketh it soluble and is of many vsed for that purpose being boyled and buttered or put among other herbes into the pot to make pottage There are many dishes of meate made with them while they are young for being almost without sauour of themselues they are the more conuertible into what rellish any one will make them with Sugar Spice c. CHAP. XIX Blitum Blites THere be diuers sorts of Blites some whereof I haue entreated in the former part of this worke vnder the title of Amaranthus Flower gentle others that are noursed vp in Gardens I will set forth in this place
which are onely two that haue come to my knowledge that is the white and the red and are of a qualitie as neere vnto Arrach as vnto Beetes participating of both and therefore I haue placed them betwixt them The white Blite hath leaues somewhat like vnto Beetes but smaller rounder and of a whitish greene colour euery one standing vpon a small long footestalke the stalke riseth vp two or three foote high with many such like leaues thereon the flowers grow at the top in long round tufts or clusters wherein are contained small round seede the roote is very full of threds or strings The red Blite is in all things like the white but that his leaues and tufted heades are exceeding red at the first and after turne more purplish The Vse of Blites Blites are vsed as Arrach eyther boyled of it selfe or stewed which they call Loblolly or among other herbes to bee put into the pot and yet some doe vtterly refuse it because in diuers it prouoketh castings It is altogether insipide or without taste but yet by reason of the moist slipperie qualitie it hath it helpeth to loosen the belly The vnsauorinesse whereof hath in many Countries growne into a prouerbe or by-word to call dull slow or lazie persons by that name They are accounted more hurtfull to the stomacke and so to the head and eyes then other herbes and therefore they are the lesse vsed CHAP. XX. Beta Beetes THere are many diuersities of Beetes some growing naturally in our own Country others brought from beyond Sea whereof some are white some greene some yellow some red the leaues of some are of vse only and the root not vsed others the roote is only vsed and not the leaues and some againe both roote and leafe The ancient Authors as by their workes appeare knew but two sorts the white and the blacke Beete whereof the white is sufficiently known and was of them termed Sicula of the later Physitians Sicla because it was thought first to be brought from Sicilie the blacke abideth some controuersie some thinking that our common greene Beete because it is of a darke greene colour was that they called the blacke Beete others that our small red Beete which is of a darke red colour was their black Beete which in my opinion is the more likely But to come to the matter in hand and giue you the descriptions of them which are in vse with vs and leaue controuersies to such a worke as is fit for them wherein all such matters may be discussed at large The common white Beete hath many great leaues next the ground in some hot Countries growing to be three foote long and very broade in our Countrey they are very large but nothing neere that proportion of a whitish greene colour the stalke is great strong and ribbed or crested bearing great store of leaues vpon it vp to the very toppe almost the flowers grow in very long tufts small at the ends and turning down their heads which are small pale greenish yellow burres giuing cornered prickly seede the roote is great long and hard when it hath giuen seede of no vse at all but abideth a former winter with leaues vpon it as all other sorts following do The common red Beet differeth not from the white Beete but only that it is not so great and both the leaues and rootes are somewhat red the leaues bee in some more red then in others which haue but red veines or strakes in them in some also of a fresh red in others very darke red the roote hereof is red spongy and not vsed to bee eaten The common greene Beete is also like vnto the white Beete but of a darke greene colour This hath beene found neere the salt Marshes by Rochester in the foote-way going from the Lady Levesons house thither by a worthy diligent and painefull obseruer and preseruer both of plants and all other natures varieties often remembred before in this worke called Iohn Tradescante who there finding it gaue me the knowledge thereof and I haue vpon his report set it here down in this manner The Romane red Beete called Beta raposa is both for leafe and roote the most excellent Beete of all others his rootes bee as great as the Carrot exceeding red both within and without very sweete and good fit to bee eaten this Beete groweth higher then the last red Beete whose rootes are not vsed to bee eaten the leaues likewise are better of taste and of as red a colour as the former red Beete the roote is sometimes short like a Turnep whereof it took the name of Rapa or raposa and sometimes as I said before like a Carrot and long the seede is all one with the lesser red Beete The Italian Beete is of much respect whose faire greene leaues are very large and great with great white ribbes and veines therein the stalke in the Summer time when it is growen vp to any height is six square in shew and yellowish withall as the heades with seede vpon them seeme likewise The great red Beete that Master Lete a Merchant of London gaue vnto Master Gerrard as he setteth it downe in his Herball seemeth to bee the red kinde of the last remembred Beete whose great ribbes as he saith are as great as the middle ribbe of the Cabbage leafe and as good to bee eaten whose stalke rose with him to the height of eight cubits and bore plenty of seede The Vse of Beetes Beetes both white greene and red are put into the pot among other herbes to make pottage as is commonly known vnto all and are also boyled whole both in France vsually with most of their boyled meates and in our Countrey with diuers that delight in eating of herbes The Italian Beete and so likewise the last red Beete with great ribbes are boyled and the ribbes eaten in sallets with oyle vinegar and pepper and is accounted a rare kinde of sallet and very delicate The roote of the common red Beete with some but more especially the Romane red Beete is of much vse among Cookes to trimme or set out their dishes of meate being cut out into diuers formes and fashions and is grown of late dayes into a great custome of seruice both for fish and flesh The rootes of the Romane red Beete being boyled are eaten of diuers while they are hot with a little oyle and vinegar and is accounted a delicate sallet for the winter and being cold they are so vsed and eaten likewise The leaues are much vsed to mollifie and open the belly being vsed in the decoction of Glisters The roote of the white kinde scraped and made vp with a little honey and salt rubbed on and layd on the belly prouoketh to the stoole The vse of eating Beetes is likewise held to bee helpefull to spleneticke persons CHAP. XXI Hipposelinum siue Olus atrum Alisanders ALisanders hath beene in former times thought to be the true Macedonian Parsley and in that errour many doe
cloues which serue both to set againe for increase and also to vse as neede shall require and is of a very strong smell and taste as euery one knoweth passing either Onions or Leekes but exceeding wholsome withall for them that can take it Allium Vrsinum Ramsons Ramsons are another kinde of Garlicke and hath two or three faire broad leaues of a fresh or light greene colour pointed at the end the stalke groweth about an hand length high bearing many small and pure white starre-like flowers at the toppe and afterwards small blacke and smooth round seede the roote is also diuided into many parts whereby it is much encreased and is much milder then the former both in smell and taste The Vse of Garlicke It being well boyled in salt broth is often eaten of them that haue strong stomackes but will not brooke in a weake and tender stomacke It is accounted and so called in diuers Countries The poore mans Treakle that is a remedy for all diseases It is neuer eaten rawe of any man that I know as other of the rootes aforesaid but sodden alwaies and so taken Ramsons are oftentimes eaten with bread and butter and otherwise also as euery mans affection and course of life leadeth him to vse CHAP. XLVI Rapunculus siue Rapuntium Rampions GArden Rampions are of two sorts the one greater the other lesser the leaues of Rampions are in the one somewhat broad like a Beete in the other somewhat long and narrow and a little broader at the end of a light greene colour lying flat vpon the ground all the first winter or yeare of the springing and the next Spring shooteth forth stalkes two or three foote high bearing at the toppe in the bigger sort a long slender spike of small horned or crooked flowers which open their brimmes into foure leaues in the lesser many small purplish bels standing vpon seuerall small foote-stalkes which turne into heads bearing small blackish seede the root is white branched into two or three rootes of the bignesse and length of a mans finger or thumbe The Vse of Rampions The rootes of both are vsed for Sallets being boyled and then eaten with oyle and vinegar a little salt and pepper CHAP. XLVII Tragopogon Goates beard GOates beard hath many long and narrow leaues broader at the bottome and sharper at the end with a ridge downe the backe of the leafe and of a pale greene colour among which riseth vp a stalke of two or three foote high smooth and hollow bearing thereon many such like leaues but smaller and shorter and at the toppe thereof on euery branch a great double yellow flower like almost vnto the flower of a Dandelion which turneth into a head stored with doune and long whitish seede therein hauing on the head of euery one some part of the doune and is carried away with the winde if it bee neglected the roote is long and round somewhat like vnto a Parsnep but farre smaller blackish on the outside and white within yeelding a milkie iuyce being broken as all the rest of the plant doth and of a very good and pleasant taste This kinde as also another with narrower leaues almost like grasse growe wilde abroad in many places but are brought into diuers Gardens The other two kindes formerly described in the first part the one with a purple flower and the otherwith an ash-coloured haue such rootes as these here described and may serue also to the same purpose being of equall goodnesse if any will vse them in the same manner that is while they are young and of the first yeares sowing else they all growe hard in running vp to seede The Vse of Goates beard If the rootes of any of these kindes being young be boyled and dressed as a Parsnep they make a pleasant dish of meate farre passing the Parsnep in many mens iudgements and that with yellow flowers to be the best They are of excellent vse being in this manner prepared or after any other fit and conuenient way to strengthen those that are macilent or growing into any consumption CHAP. XLVIII Carum Carawayes CArawayes hath many very fine cut and diuided leaues lying on the ground being alwaies greene somewhat resembling the leaues of Carrots but thinner and more finely cut of a quicke hot and spicie taste the stalke riseth not much higher then the Carrot stalke bearing some leaues at the ioynts along the stalke to the toppe where it brancheth into three or foure parts bearing spoakie vmbels of white flowers which turne into small blackish seede smaller then Aniseede and of a hotter and quicker taste the roote is whitish like vnto a Parsnep but much smaller more spreading vnder ground and a little quicke in taste as all the rest of the plant is and abideth long after it hath giuen seede The Vse of Carawayes The rootes of Carawayes being boyled may be eaten as Carrots and by reason of the spicie taste doth warme and comfort a cold weake stomacke helping to dissolue winde whereas Carrots engender it and to prouoke vrine and is a very welcome and delightfull dish to a great many yet they are somewhat stronger in taste then Parsneps The seede is much vsed to bee put among baked fruit or into bread cakes c. to giue them a rellish and to helpe to digest winde in them are subiect thereunto It is also made into Comfits and put into Trageas or as we call them in English Dredges that are taken for the cold and winde in the body as also are serued to the table with fruit CHAP. XLIX Pappas sine Battatas Potatoes THree sorts of Potatoes are well knowne vnto vs but the fourth I rest doubtfull of and dare not affirme it vpon such termes as are giuen vnto it vntill I may be better informed by mine owne sight The Spanish kinde hath in the Islands where they growe either naturally or planted for increase profit and vse of the Spaniards that nourse them many firme and verie sweete rootes like in shape and forme vnto Asphodill rootes but much greater and longer of a pale browne on the outside and white within set together at one head from whence rise vp many long branches which by reason of their weight and weaknesse cannot stand of themselues but traile on the ground a yard and a halfe in length at the least I relate it as it hath growne with vs but in what other forme for flower or fruit we know not whereon are set at seuerall distances broad and in a manner three square leaues somewhat like triangled Iuie leaues of a darke greene colour the two sides whereof are broad and round and the middle pointed at the end standing reasonable close together thus much we haue seene growe with vs and no more the roote rather decaying then increasing in our country The Potatoes of Virginia which some foolishly call the Apples of youth is another kinde of plant differing much from the former sauing in the colour and taste of the roote
of land to be planted in and rise vp with one two or three stalks according to the fertilitie of the soyle being smooth and square higher then any man oftentimes whereon are set at certaine distances from the very bottome almost to the toppe two long smooth fleshy and thicke leaues almost round one standing by another at the end of a small footestalke betweene these leaues and the stalke come forth diuers flowers all of them looking one way for the most part which are close a little turned vp at the brimmes white and spotted with a blackish spot in the middle of them and somwhat purplish at the foot or bottome of the forme almost of Broome or Pease flowers many of which that grow vpward toward the toppe doe seldome beare fruit and therefore are gathered to distill and the toppes of the stalkes cut off to cause the rest to thriue the better after which grow vp long great smooth greene pods greater then in any other kinde of Pulse which grow blacke when they are ripe and containe within them two three or foure Beanes which are somewhat flat and round eyther white or reddish which being full ripe grow blackish the roote hath diuers fibres annexed vnto the maine roote which dyeth euery yeare The French or Kidney Beane riseth vp at the first but with one stalke which afterwards diuideth it selfe into many armes or branches euery one of them being so weak that without they be sustained with stickes or poles whereon with their winding and claspers they take hold they would lye fruitlesse vpon the ground vpon these branches grow forth at seuerall places long footestalkes with euery of them three broade round and pointed greene leaues at the end of them towards the tops whereof come forth diuers flowers made like vnto Pease blossomes of the same colour for the most part that the fruit will be of that is to say eyther white or yellow or red or blackish or of a deepe purple c. but white is most vsuall for our Garden after which come long and slender flat pods some crooked and some straight with a string as it were running downe the backe thereof wherein are contained flattish round fruit made to the fashion of a kidney the roote is long and spreadeth with many fibres annexed vnto it perishing euery yeare The Vse of these Beanes The Garden Beanes serue as I said before more for the vse of the poore then of the rich I shall therefore only shew you the order the poore take with them and leaue curiosity to them that will bestow time vpon them They are only boyled in faire water and a little salt and afterwards stewed with some butter a little vinegar and pepper being put vnto them and so eaten or else eaten alone after they are boyled without any other sawce The water of the blossomes distilled is vsed to take away spots and to cleer the skin The water of the greene huskes or cods is good for the stone The Kidney Beanes boyled in water huske and all onely the ends cut off and the string taken away and stewed with butter c. are esteemed more sauory meate to many mens pallates then the former and are a dish more oftentimes at rich mens Tables then at the poore CHAP. LII Pisum Pease THere is a very great variety of manured Pease known to vs and I think more in our Country then in others whereof some prosper better in one ground and country and some in others I shall giue you the description of one alone for all the rest and recite vnto you the names of the rest Garden Pease are for the most part the greatest and sweetest kinds and are sustained with stakes or bushes The Field Pease are not so vsed but growe without any such adoe They spring vp with long weake hollow and brittle while they are young and greene whitish greene stalkes branched into diuers parts and at euery ioynt where it parteth one broad round leafe compassing the stalke about so that it commeth as it were thorough it the leaues are winged made of diuers small leaues set to a middle ribbe of a whitish greene colour with claspers at the ends of the leaues whereby it taketh hold of whatsoeuer standeth next vnto it betweene the leaues and the stalkes come forth the flowers standing two or three together euery one by it selfe on his owne seuerall stalke which are either wholly white or purple or mixed white and purple or purple and blew the fruit are long and somewhat round cods whereof some are greater others lesser some thicke and short some plaine and smooth others a little crooked at the ends wherein also are contained diuers formes of fruit or pease some being round others cornered some small some great some white others gray and some spotted the roote is small and quickly perisheth The kindes of Pease are these The Rounciuall The greene Hasting The Sugar Pease The spotted Pease The gray Pease The white Hasting The Pease without skins The Scottish or tufted Pease which some call the Rose Pease is a good white Pease fit to be eaten The early or French Pease which some call Fulham Pease because those grounds thereabouts doe bring them soonest forward for any quantity although sometimes they miscarry by their haste and earlinesse Cicer Arietinum Rams Ciches This is a kinde of Pulse so much vsed in Spaine that it is vsually one of their daintie dishes at all their feasts They are of two sorts white and red the white is onely vsed for meate the other for medicine It beareth many vpright branches with winged leaues many set together being small almost round and dented about the edges the flowers are either white or purple according to the colour of the Pease which follow and are somewhat round at the head but cornered and pointed at the end one or two at the most in a small roundish cod The Vse of Pease Pease of all or the most of these sorts are either vsed when they are greene and be a dish of meate for the table of the rich as well as the poore yet euery one obseruing his time and the kinde the fairest sweetest youngest and earliest for the better sort the later and meaner kindes for the meaner who doe not giue the deerest price Or 1 Fabasatiua Garden Beanes 2 Phaseoli satiui French Beanes 3 Pisum vulgaâ—e Garden Pease 4 Pisum vmbellatum siue Roseum Rose Pease or Scottish Pease 5 Pisum Saccharatum Sugar Pease 6 Pisum maculatum Spotted Pease 7 Cicer Arietinum Rams Ciches or Cicers It is much vsed likewise at Sea for them that goe long voyages and is for change because it is fresh a welcome diet to most persons therein The Rams Ciches the Spaniards call Grauancos and Garauancillos and eate them boyled and stewed as the most dainty kinde of Pease that are they are of a very good rellish and doe nourish much but yet are not without that windy quality that all sorts
of Pulse are subiect vnto they increase bodily lust much more then any other sorts and as it is thought doth helpe to encrease seede CHAP. LIII Cucumer The Cowcumber OF Cowcumbers there are diuers sorts differing chiefly in the forme and colour of the fruit and not in the forme of the plant therefore one description shall serue in stead of all the rest The Cowcumber bringeth forth many trailing rough greene branches lying on the ground all along whereof growe seuerall leaues which are rough broad vneuen at the edges and pointed at the ends with long crooked tendrels comming forth at the same ioynt with the leafe but on the other side therof between the stalks the leaues at the ioynts come forth the flowers seuerally euery one standing on a short foot-stalke opening it selfe into fiue leaues of a yellowish colour at the bottome whereof groweth the fruit long and greene at the first but when it is thorough ripe a little yellowish hauing many furrowes and vneuen bunches all the length of it wherein is a white firme substance next vnto the skin and a cleare pulpe or watery substance with white flat seede lying dispersed through it the roote is long and white with diuers fibres at it The kindes The first described is called The long greene Cowcumber There is another is called The short Cowcumber being short and of an equall bignesse in the body thereof and of an vnequall bignesse at both ends The long Yellow which is yellowish from the beginning and more yellow when it is ripe and hath beene measured to be thirteene inches long but this is not that small long Cowcumber called of the Latines Cucumis anguinus Another kinde is early ripe called The French kinde The Dantsicke kinde beareth but small fruit growing on short branches or runners the pickled Cowcumbers that are vsually sold are of this kind The Muscouie kinde is the smallest of all other yet knowne and beareth not aboue foure or fiue at the most on a roote which are no bigger then small Lemons The Vse of Cowcumbers Some vse to cast a little salt on their sliced Cowcumbers and let them stand halfe an houre or more in a dish and then poure away the water that commeth from them by the salt and after put vinegar oyle c. thereon as euery one liketh this is done to take away the ouermuch waterishnesse and coldnesse of the Cowcumbers In many countries they vse to eate Cowcumbers as wee doe Apples or Peares paring and giuing slices of them as we would to our friends of some dainty Apple or Peare The pickled Cowcumbers that come from beyond Sea are much vsed with vs for sawce to meate all the Winter long Some haue striuen to equall them by pickling vp our Cowcumbers at the later end of the yeare when they are cheapest taking the little ones and scalding them thoroughly well which after they put in brine with some Dill or Fenell leaues and stalkes but these are nothing comparable to the former wee either missing of the right and orderly pickling of them or the kinde it selfe differing much from ours as I said of the Dantsicke kinde for ours are neither so tender and firme nor so sauoury as the other The rawe or greene Cowcumbers are fittest for the hotter time of the yeare and for hot stomackes and not to be vsed in colder weather or cold stomackes by reason of the coldnesse whereby many haue been ouertaken The seede is vsed physically in many medicines that serue to coole and a little to make the passages of vrine slippery and to giue ease to hot diseases CHAP. LIIII Melo Milions or Muske Melons THere bee diuers sorts of Melons found out at this day differing much in the goodnesse of taste one from another This Countrey hath not had vntill of late yeares the skill to nourse them vp kindly but now there are many that are so well experienced therein and haue their ground so well prepared as that they will not misse any yeare if it be not too extreme vnkindly to haue many ripe ones in a reasonable time yet some will be later then others alwayes The Melon is certainly a kinde of Cowcumber it doth so neare resemble it both in the manner of his growing hauing rough trailing branches rough vneuen leaues and yellow flowers after which come the fruit which is rounder thicker bigger more rugged and spotted on the outside then the Cowcumber of a russet colour and greene vnderneath which when it groweth full ripe will change a little yellowish being as deepe furrowed and ribbed as they and besides hauing chaps or rifts in diuers places of the rinde the inward hard substance is yellow which onely is eaten the seede which is bigger and a little yellower then the Cowcumber lying in the middle onely among the moister pulpe the smell and changing of his colour fore-shew their ripenesse to them that are experienced the roote is long with many fibres at it The fruit requireth much watering in the hot time of the day to cause them to ripen the sooner as I haue obserued by diuers of the best skill therein The Vse of the kindes of Melons The best Melon feede doe come to vs out of Spaine some haue come out of Turkie but they haue been nothing so good and kindly Some are called Sugar Melons others Peare Melons and others Muske Melons They haue beene formerly only eaten by great personages because the fruit was not only delicate but rare and therfore diuers were brought from France and since were noursed vp by the Kings or Noblemens Gardiners onely to serue for their Masters delight but now diuers others that haue skill and conueniencie of ground for them doe plant them and make them more common They paire away the outer rinde and cut out the inward pulpe where the seede lyeth slice the yellow firme inward rinde or substance so eate it with salt and pepper and good store of wine or else it will hardly disgest for this is firmer hath not that moisture in it that the Cowcumbers haue It is also more delicate and of more worth which recompenseth the paine The seed of these Melons are vsed as Cowcumbers physically and together with them most vsually CHAP. LV. Pepo Pompions WE haue but one kinde of Pompion as I take it in all our Gardens notwithstanding the diuersities of bignesse and colour The Pompion or great Melon or as some call it Milion creepeth vpon the ground if nothing bee by it whreeon it may take hold and climbe with very great ribbed rough and prickly branches whereon are set very large rough leaues cut in on the edges with deepe gashes and dented besides with many claspers also which winde about euery thing they meete withall the flowers are great and large hollow and yellow diuided at the brims into fiue parts at the bottome of which as it is in the rest groweth the fruit which is very great sometimes of the bignesse of a mans body
they grow are the whole and onely cause of the varieties and differences Indeed Virginia hath sent vnto vs two sorts of Wallnuts the one blacke the other white whereof as yet wee haue no further knowledge And I know that Clusius reporteth he tooke vp at a banquet a long Wallnut differing in forme and tendernesse of shell from others which being set grew and bore farre tenderer leaues then the other and a little snipt about the edges which as I said might alter with the soyle and climate and besides you may obserue that many of Clusius differences are very nice and so I leaue it The Wallnut tree groweth very high and great with a large and thicke body or trunke couered with a thicke clouen whitish greene barke tending to an ash-colour the armes are great and spread farre breaking out into smaller branches whereon doe grow long large leaues fiue or seuen set together one against another with an odde one at the end somewhat like vnto Ashen leaues but farre larger and not so many on a stalke smooth and somewhat reddish at the first springing and tender also of a reasonable good sent but more strong and headie when they growe old the fruit or nut is great and round growing close to the stalkes of the leaues either by couples or by three set together couered with a double shell that is to say with a greene thicke and soft outer rinde and an inner hard shell within which the white kernell is contained couered with a thinne yellow rinde or peeling which is more easily peeled away while it is greene then afterwards and is as it were parted into foure quarters with a thinne wooddy peece parting it at the head very sweete and pleasant while it is fresh and for a while after the gathering but the elder they growe the harder and more oily the catkins or blowings are long and yellow made of many scaly leaues set close together which come forth early in the Spring and when they open and fall away vpon their stalkes arise certaine small flowers which turne into so many nuts The Vse of Wallnuts They are often serued to the table with other fruits while they abide fresh and sweete and therefore many to keepe them fresh a long time haue deuised many wayes as to put them into great pots and bury them in the ground and so take them out as they spend them which is a very good way and will keepe them long The small young nuts while they are tender being preserued or candid are vsed among other sorts of candid fruits that serue at banquets The iuyce of the outer greene huskes are held to be a soueraigne remedy against either poyson or plague or pestilentiall feuer The distilled water of the huskes drunke with a little vinegar if the fits growe hot and tedious is an approued remedy for the same The water distilled from the leaues is effectuall to be applyed to fluent or running vlcers to dry and binde the humours Some haue vsed the pouder of the catkins in white wine for the suffocation or strangling of the mother The oyle of Wallnuts is vsed to varnish Ioyners workes As also is accounted farre to excell Linseede oyle to mixe a white colour withall that the colour bee not dimmed It is of excellent vse for the coldnesse hardnesse and contracting of the sinewes and ioynts to warme supple and to extend them CHAP. XXIII Castanea Equina The Horse Chesnut ALthough the ordinary Chesnut is not a tree planted in Orchards but left to Woods Parkes and other such like places yet wee haue another sort which wee haue noursed vp from the nuts sent vs from Turky of a greater and more pleasant aspect for the faire leaues and of as good vse for the fruit It groweth in time to be a great tree spreading with great armes and branches whereon are set at seuerall distances goodly faire great greene leaues diuided into six seuen or nine parts or leaues euery one of them nicked about the edges very like vnto the leaues of Ricnus or Palma Christi and almost as great it beareth at the ends of the branches many flowers set together vpon a long stalke consisting of foure white leaues a peece with many threads in the middle which afterwards turne into nuts like vnto the ordinary Chesnuts but set in rougher and more prickly huskes the nuts themselues being rounder and blacker with a white spot at the head of each formed somewhat like an heart and of a little sweeter taste The Vse of this Chesnut It serueth to binde and stop any maner of fluxe be it of bloud or humours either of the belly or stomacke as also the much spitting of bloud They are roasted and eaten as the ordinary sort to make them taste the better They are vsually in Turkie giuen to horses in their prouender to cure them of coughes and helpe them being broken winded CHAP. XXIIII Morus The Mulberrie THere are two sorts of Mulberries sufficiently known to most the blackish and the white but wee haue had brought vs from Virginia another sort which is of greater respect then eyther of the other two not onely in regard of the ratitie but of the vse as you shall presently vnderstand 1. Morus nigra The blacke Mulberrie The blacke Mulberrie tree groweth oftentimes tall and great and oftentimes also crooked and spreading abroade rather then high for it is subiect to abide what forme you will conforme it vnto if by suffering it to grow it will mount vp and if you will binde it or plash the boughes they will so abide and be carried ouer arbours or other things as you will haue it The bodie groweth in time to bee very great couered with a rugged or thicke barke the armes or branches being smoother whereon doe grow round thicke leaues pointed at the ends and nicked about the edges and in some there are to be seene deep gashes making it seeme somewhat like the Vine leafe the flowers are certaine short dounie catkings which turne into greene berries at the first afterwards red and when they are full ripe blacke made of many graines set together like vnto the blacke berrie but longer and greater before they are ripe they haue an austere and harsh taste but when they are full ripe they are more sweete and pleasant the iuice whereof is so red that it will staine the hands of them that handle and eate them 2. Morus alba The white Mulberrie The white Mulberrie tree groweth not with vs to that greatnesse or bulke of bodie that the blacke doth but runneth vp higher slenderer more knotty hard and brittle with thinner spreade armes and branches the leaues are like the former but not so thicke set on the branches nor so hard in handling a little paler also hauing somewhat longer stalkes the fruit is smaller and closer set together greene and somewhat harsh before they be ripe but of a wonderfull sweetnesse almost ready to procure loathing when they are thorough
ripe and white with such like seede in them as in the former but smaller 3. Morus Virginiana The Virginia Mulberrie The Virginia Mulberry tree groweth quickely with vs to be a very great tree spreading many armes and branches whereon grow faire great leaues very like vnto the leaues of the white Mulberrie tree the berry or fruit is longer and redder then either of the other and of a very pleasant taste The Vse of Mulberries 1 Nux Iuglans The Wallnut 2 Castanea equina The horse Chesnut 3 Morus nigra-vel alba The Mulberry 4 Morus Viâ—giniana The Virginia Mulberry 5 Laurus vulgaris The ordinary Bay tree 6 Laurea Cerasus Virginiana The Virginia Cherry Bay Mulberries are not much desired to be eaten although they be somewhat pleasant both for that they staine their fingers and lips that eate them and doe quickly putrefie in the stomacke if they bee not taken before meate They haue yet a Physicall vse which is by reason of the astringent quality while they are red and before they bee ripe for sore mouthes and throats or the like whereunto also the Syrup called Diamoron is effectuall Corollarium A COROLEARIE To this Orchard THere are certaine other trees that beare no fruit fit to bee eaten which yet are often seene planted in Orchards and other fit and conuenient places bout an house whereof some are of especiall vse as the Bay tree c. others for their beauty and shadow are fit for walkes or arbours some being euer green are most fit for hedge-rowes and some others more for their raritie then for any other great vse wherof I thought good to entreat apart by themselues and bring them after the fruit trees of this Orchard as an ornament to accomplish the same 1. Laurus The Bay tree THere are to bee reckoned vp fiue kindes of Bay trees three whereof haue been entreated of in the first part a fourth wee will only bring hereto your consideration which is that kinde that is vsually planted in euery mans yard or orchard for their vse throughout the whole land the other we will leaue to bee considered of in that place is fit for it The Bay tree riseth vp oftentimes to carry the face of a tree of a meane bignesse in our Countrey although much greater in the hoter and oftentimes shooteth vp with many suckers from the roote shewing it selfe more like to a tall shrubbe or hedge-bush then a tree hauing many branches the young ones whereof are sometimes reddish but most vsually of a light or fresh greene colour when the stemme and elder boughes are couered with a darke greene barke the leaues are somewhat broad and long pointed as it were at both the ends hard and sometimes crumpled on the edges of a darke greene colour aboue and of a yellowish greene vnderneath in smell sweet in taste bitter and abiding euer greene the flowers are yellow and mossie which turne into berries that are a little long as well as round whose shell or outermost peele is greene at the first and blacke when it is ripe wherein is contained an hard bitter kernell which cleaueth in two parts The Vse of Bayes The Bay leaues are of as necessary vse as any other in Garden or Orchard for they serue both for pleasure and profit both for ornament and for vse both for honest Ciuill vses and for Physicke yea both for the sicke and for the sound both for the liuing and for the dead And so much might be said of this one tree that if it were all told would as well weary the Reader as the Relater but to explaine my selfe It serueth to adorne the house of God as well as of man to procure warmth comfort and strength to the limmes of men and women by bathings and annoyntings outward and by drinkes c. inward to the stomacke and other parts to season vessels c. wherein are preserued our meates as well as our drinkes to crowne or encircle as with a garland the heads of the liuing and to sticke and decke forth the bodies of the dead so that from the cradle to the graue we haue still vse of it we haue still neede of it The berries likewise serue for stitches inward and for paines outward that come of cold eyther in the ioynts sinewes or other places 2. Laurea Cerasus siue Laurus Virginiana The Virginian Bay or Cherry Baye THis Virginian whether you will call it a Baye or a Cherrie or a Cherrie Bay I leaue it to euery ones free will and iudgement but yet I thinke I may as well call it a Bay as others a Cherrie neither of them being answerable to the tree which neyther beareth such berries as are like Cherries neither beareth euer greene leaues like the Bay if it may therefore bee called the Virginia Cherry Bay for a distinction from the former Bay Cherry that beareth faire blacke Cherries it will more fitly agree thereunto vntill a more proper may be imposed riseth vp to be a tree of a reasonable height the stemme or bodie thereof being almost as great as a mans legge spreading forth into diuers armes or boughes and they againe into diuers small branches whereon are set without order diuers faire broade greene leaues somewhat like vnto the former Bay leaues but more limber and gentle and not so hard in handling broader also and for the most part ending in a point but in many somewhat round pointed very finely notched or toothed about the edges of a bitter taste very neere resembling the taste of the Bay leafe but of little or no sent at all either greene or dryed which fall away euery autumne and spring a fresh euery yeare the blossomes are small and white many growing together vpon a long stalke somewhat like the Bird Cherry blossomes but smaller and come forth at the ends of the young branches which after turne into small berries euery one set in a small cup or huske greene at the first and blacke when they are ripe of the bignesse of a small pease of a strong bitter taste and somewhat aromaticall withall but without any fleshy substance like a Cherry at all vpon it for it is altogether like a berry The Vse of this Virginia Cherry Bay Being a stranger in our Land and possessed but of a very few I doe not heare that there hath beene any triall made thereof what properties are in it let this therefore suffice for this present to haue shewed you the description and forme thereof vntill we can learne further of his vses 3. Pinus The Pine tree MY purpose in this place is not to shew you all the diuersities of Pine trees or of the rest that follow but of that one kinde is planted in many places of our Land for ornament and delight and there doth reasonably well abide take it therefore into this Orchard for the raritie and beautie of it though we haue little other vse of it The Pine tree groweth with vs though slowely to a very great
made for the purpose to this and that vnderneath it vpon the boughes were laid boards to tread vpon which was the goodliest spectacle mine eyes euer beheld for one tree to carry The coles of the wood are the best to make Gunpowder And being kindled and quenched in vinegar are good to dissolue clotted bloud in those that are bruised with a fall The inner barke being steeped in water yeeldeth a slimie iuyce which is found by experience to be very profitable for them that haue been burnt with fire 17. Tamarix Tamariske tree THe Tamariske tree that is common in our country although in some places it doth not grow great yet I haue seene it in some other to be as great as a great apple tree in the body bearing great arms from whose smaller branches spring forth young slender red shootes set with many very fine small and short leaues a little crisped like vnto the leaues of Sauine not hard or rough but soft and greene the flowers be white mossie threads which turne into dounie seede that is carried away with the winde Tamariscus folijs ablidis White Tamariske There is another kinde hereof very beautifull and rare not to be seene in this Land I thinke but with Mr. William Ward the Kings seruant in his Granary before remembred who brought me a small twigge to see from his house at Boram in Essex whose branches are all red while they are young and all the leaues white abiding so all the Summer long without changing into any shew of greene like the other and so abideth constant yeare after yeare yet shedding the leaues in Winter like the other The Vse of Tamariske The greatest vse of Tamariske is for spleneticke diseases either the leaues or the barke made into drinkes or the wood made into small Cans or Cups to drinke in 18. Acer maius latifolium The great Maple or Sycomore tree THe Sycomore tree as we vsually call it and is the greatest kind of Maple cherished in our Land onely in Orchards or elsewhere for shade and walkes both here in England and in some other countries also groweth quickly to bee a faire spreading great tree with many boughes and branches whose barke is somewhat smooth the leaues are very great large and smooth cut into foure or fiue diuisions and ending into so many corners euery one standing on a long reddish stalke the bloomings are of a yellowish greene colour growing many together on each side of a long stalke which afrer turne into long and broad winged seede two alwaies standing together on a stalke and bunched out in the middle where the seed or kernell lyeth very like vnto the common Maple growing wilde abroad but many more together and larger The Vse of the Sycomore tree It is altogether planted for shady walkes and hath no other vse with vs that I know 19. Nux Vesicaria The bladder Nut. THis tree groweth not very high but is of a meane stature when it is preserued and pruined to grow vpright or else it shooteth forth many twigges from the rootes and so is fit to plant in a hedge rowe as it is vsed in some places the body and armes are couered with a whitish greene barke the branches and leaues on them are like vnto the Elder hauing three or fiue leaues set one against another with one of them at the end each whereof is nicked or dented about the edges the flowers are sweete and white many growing together on a long stalke hanging downeward in forme resembling a small Daffodill hauing a small round cup in the middle and leaues about it after which come the fruit inclosed in russetish greene bladders containing one or two brownish nuts lesser then Hasell nuts whose outer shell is not hard and woody like the shell of a nut but tough and hard withall not easie to breake within which is a greene kernell sweetish at the first but lothsome afterwards ready to procure casting and yet liked of some people who can well endure to eate them The Vse of the Bladder Nut. The greatest vse that I know the tree or his fruit is put vnto is that it is receiued into an Orchard either for the rarity of the kinde being suffered to grow into a tree or as I said before to make an hedge being let grow into suckers Some Quacksaluers haue vsed these nuts as a medicine of rare vertue for the stone but what good they haue done I neuer yet could learne 20. Rhus Myrtifolia The Mirtle leafed Sumach THis lowe shrubbe groweth seldome to the height of a man hauing many slender branches and long winged leaues set thereon euery one whereof is of the bignesse of the broad or large Mirtle leafe and set by couples all the length of the ribbe running through the middle of them It beareth diuers flowers at the tops of the branches made of many purple threads which turne into small blacke berries wherein are contained small white and rough seed somewhat like vnto Grape kernels or stones This vseth to dye down to the ground in my Garden euery Winter and rise vp again euery Spring whether the nature thereof were so or the coldnesse of our climate the cause therof I am not well assured It is also rare and to be seen but with a few The Vse of this Sumach It is vsed to thicken or tanne leather or hides in the same manner that the ordinary Sumach doth as also to stay fluxes both in men and women 21. Rhus Virginiana The Virginia Sumach or Buckes horne tree of Virginia THis strange tree becommeth in some places to bee of a reasonable height and bignesse the wood whereof is white soft and pithy in the middle like vnto an Elder couered with a darke coloured barke somewhat smooth the young branches that are of the last yeares growth are somewhat reddish or browne very soft and smooth in handling and so like vnto the Veluet head of a Deere that if one were cut off from the tree and shewed by it selfe it might soone deceiue a right good Woodman and as they grow seeme most like thereunto yeelding a yellowish milke when it is broken which in a small time becommeth thicke like a gumme the leaues grow without order on the branches but are themselues set in a seemly order on each side of a middle ribbe seuen nine ten or more on a side and one at the end each whereof are somewhat broad and long of a darke greene colour on the vpperside and paler greene vnderneath finely snipped or toothed round about the edges at the ends of the branches come forth long and thicke browne tufts very soft and as it were woolly in handling made all of short threads or thrums from among which appeare many small flowers much more red or crimson then the tufts which turne into a very small seede the roote shooteth forth young suckers farre away and round about whereby it is mightily encreased The Vse of this Sumach It is onely kept as a
the yeare or the temper of the climate being further North or South to bring them on earlier or later as it doth with all other fruits flowers and growing greene herbes c. except that by chance some one or other extraordinarily may be hindered in their due season of flowring and so giue their flowers out of time or else to giue their flowers twice in the yeare by the superaboundance of nourishment or the mildnesse of the season by moderate showers of raine c. as it sometimes also happeneth with fruits which chance as it is seldome and not constant so we then terme it but Lusus naturae or else by forcing them in hot stoues which then will perish when they haue giuen their flowers or fruits It is not then as some haue written the sowing of the seedes of Lillies or any other plants a foote deepe or halfe a foote deepe or two inches deepe that will cause them to be in flower one after another as they are sowne euery moneth of the yeare for it were too grosse to thinke that any man of reason and iudgement would so beleeue Nor is it likewise in the power of any man to make the same plants to abide a moneth two or three or longer in their beauty of flowring then naturally they vse to doe for I thinke that were no humane art but a supernaturall worke For nature still bendeth and tendeth to perfection that is after flowring to giue fruit or seede nor can it bee hindered in the course thereof without manifest danger of destruction euen as it is in all other fruit-bearing creatures which stay no longer then their appointed time is naturall vnto them without apparent damage Some things I grant may be so ordered in the planting that according to that order and time which is obserued in their planting they shall shew forth their faire flowers and they are Anemones which will in that manner that I haue shewed in the worke following flower in seuerall moneths of the yeare which thing as it is incident to none or very few other plants and is found out but of late so likewise is it knowne but vnto a very few Thus haue I shewed you the true solution of these doubts And although they haue not beene amplified with such Philosophicall arguments and reasons as one of greater learning might haue done yet are they truely and sincerely set downe that they may serue tanquam galcatum against all the calumnies and obiections of wilfull and obdurate persons that will not be reformed As first that all double flowers were so found wilde being the worke of nature alone and not the art of any man by planting or transplanting at or before the new or full Moone or any other obseruation of time that hath caused the flower to grow double that naturally was single Secondly that the rules and directions to cause flowers to bee of contrary or different colours or sents from that they were or would be naturally are meere fancies of men without any ground of reason or truth And thirdly that there is no power or art in man to cause flowers to shew their beauty diuers moneths before their naturall time nor to abide in their beauty longer then the appointed naturall time for euery one of them THE GARDEN OF PLEASANT FLOWERS CHAP. I. Corona Imperialis The Crowne Imperiall BEcause the Lilly is the more stately flower among manie and amongst the wonderfull varietie of Lillies knowne to vs in these daies much more then in former times whereof some are white others blush some purple others red or yellow some spotted others without spots some standing vpright others hanging or turning downewards The Crowne Imperiall for his stately beautifulness deserueth the first place in this our Garden of delight to be here entreated of before all other Lillies but because it is so well knowne to most persons being in a manner euery where common I shall neede onely to giue you a relation of the chiefe parts thereof as I intend in such other things which are these The roote is yellowish on the outside composed of fewer but much thicker scales then any other Lilly but the Persian and doth grow sometimes to be as great as a pretty bigge childes head but somewhat flat withall from the sides whereof and not from the bottome it shooteth forth thicke long fibres which perish euery yeare hauing a hole in the midst thereof at the end of the yeare when the old stalke is dry and withered and out of the which a new stalke doth spring againe from a bud or head to be seen within the hollownesse on the one side the yeare following the stalke then filling vp the hollownesse riseth vp three or foure foote high being great round and of a purplish colour at the bottome but greene aboue beset from thence to the middle thereof with many long and broad greene leaues very like to the leaues of our ordinary white Lilly but somewhat shorter and narrower confusedly without order and from the middle is bare or naked without leaues for a certaine space vpwards and then beareth foure sixe or tenne flowers more or lesse according to the age of the plant and the fertility of the soyle where it groweth The buddes at the first appearing are whitish standing vpright among a bush or tuft of greene leaues smaller then those below and standing aboue the flowers after a while they turne themselues and hang downewards euerie one vpon his owne footestalke round about the great stemme or stalke sometimes of an euen depth and other while one lower or higher than another which flowers are neare the forme of an ordinary Lilly yet somewhat lesser and closer consisting of sixe leaues of an Orange colour striped with purplish lines and veines which adde a great grace to the flowers At the bottome of the flower next vnto the stalke euery leafe thereof hath on the outside a certaine bunch or eminence of a darke purplish colour and on the inside there lyeth in those hollow bunched places certaine cleare drops of water like vnto pearles of a very sweete taste almost like sugar in the midst of each flower is a long white stile or pointell forked or diuided at the end and sixe white chiues tipt with yellowish pendents standing close about it after the flowers are past appeare sixe square seede vessels standing vpright winged as it were or welted on the edges yet seeming but three square because each couple of those welted edges are ioyned closer together wherein are contained broad flat and thinne seedes of a pale brownish colour like vnto other Lillies but much greater and thicker also The stalke of this plant doth oftentimes grow flat two three or foure fingers broad and then beareth many more flowers but for the most part smaller then when it beareth round stalkes And sometimes it happeneth the stalke to be diuided at the top carrying two or three tufts of greene leaues without any flowers on them And sometimes
of leafe or flower from the former but in the colour of the circling leaues of the flower which are of the same yellow colour with the cup. Flore geminato This doth sometimes degenerate and grow luxurious also bringing forth two flowers vpon a stalke each distinct from other and sometimes two flowers thrust together as if they were but one although it be but seldome for it is not a peculiar kinde that is constant yearly abiding in the same forme 3. Narcissus maximus griseus calice flauo The gray Peerlesse Daffodill This Peerlesse Daffodill well deserueth his place among these kindes for that it doth much resemble them and peraduenture is but a difference raised from the seede of the former it is so like in leafe and flower but that the leaues seeme to be somewhat greater and the sixe outer leaues of the flower to be of a glistering whitish gray colour and the cup yellow as the former but larger 4. Narcissus latifolius flauo flore amplo calice siue Mattenesse The lesser yellow Nompareille or the Lady Mattenesses Daffodill The leaues of this Daffodill are somewhat like vnto the leaues of the first kind but not altogether so long or broad the stalke likewise riseth not vp fully so high and beareth one flower like the former but lesser and both the cuppe and the leaues are of one colour that is of a pale yellow yet more yellow then in the former the cup of this also is lesser and a little differing for it is neither fully so small in the bottome nor so large at the edges nor so crumpled at the brimmes so that all these differences doe plainly shew it to be another kinde quite from the former The Place The places of none of these are certainly knowne to vs where they grow naturally but we haue them onely in our Gardens and haue beene sent and procured from diuers places The Time They flower sometimes in the end of March but chiefly in Aprill The Names The first and second haue been sent vs by the name of Narcisse Nompareille as it is called in French and in Latine Narcissus omnium maximus amplo calice flauo and Narcissus Incomparabilis that is the Incomparable Daffodill or the greatest Daffodill of all other with a large yellow cuppe but assuredly although this Daffodill doth exceed many other both in length and bignesse yet the great Spanish bastard Daffodill which shall be spoken of hereafter is in my perswasion oftentimes a farre higher and larger flower and therefore this name was giuen but relatiuely we may call it in English The great None such Daffodill or the Incomparable Daffodill or the great Peerlesse Daffodill or the Nompareille Daffodill which you will for they all doe answer either the French or the Latine name and because this name Nomparcille is growne currant by câ—stome I know not well how to alter it The third kinde may passe with the title giuen it without controule The last is very well knowne beyond the Seas especially in the Low Countries and those parts by the Lady Mattenesse Daffodill because Clusius receiued it from her We may call it in English for the correspondency with the former The lesser yellow Nompareille or Peerlesse Daffodill or the Lady Mattenesse Daffodill which you will Narcissus Indicus flore rubro dictus Iacobaeus The Indian Daffodill with a red flower This Indian Daffodill is so differing both in forme not hauing a cuppe and in colour being red from the whole Family of the Daffodils except the next that followeth and the Autumne Daffodils that some might iustly question the fitnesse of his place here But because as all the plants whether bulbous or other that come from the Indies either East or West although they differ very notably from those that grow in these parts of the world must in a generall suruey and muster be ranked euery one as neere as the surueiours wit will direct him vnder some other growing with vs that is of neerest likenesse Euen so vntill some other can direct his place more fitly I shall require you to accept of him in this with this description that followeth which I must tell you also is more by relation then knowledge or sight of the plant it selfe This Daffodill hath diuers broad leaues somewhat like vnto the common or ordinary white Daffodill of a grayish greene colour from the sides whereof as also from the middle of them rise vp sometimes two stalkes together but most vsually one after another for very often it flowreth twice in a Summer and often also but one stalke alone which is of a faint reddish colour about a foote high or more at the toppe whereof out of a deepe red skinne or huske commeth forth one flower bending downewards consisting of sixe long leaues without any cup in the middle of an excellent red colour tending to a crimson three of these leaues that turne vpwards are somewhat larger then those three that hang downewards hauing sixe threads or chiues in the middle tipt with yellow pendents and a three forked stile longer then the rest and turning vp the end thereof againe the roote is round and bigge of a brownish colour on the outside and white within This is set forth by Aldinus Cardinall Farnesius his Physitian that at Rome it rose vp with stalkes of flowers before any leaues appeared The Place Time and Names This naturally groweth in the West Indies from whence it was brought into Spaine where it bore both in Iune and Iuly and by the Indians in their tongue named AZCAL XOCHITL and hath beene sent from Spaine vnto diuers louers of plants into seuerall parts of Christendome but haue not thriued long in these transalpine colder Countries so far as I can heare Narcissus Trapezunticus flore luteo praecocissimus The early Daffodill of Trebizond Because this Daffodill is so like in flower vnto the former although differing in colour I thought it the fittest place to ioyne it the next thereunto This early Daffodill hath three or foure short very greene leaues so like vnto the leaues of the Autumne Daffodill that many may easily bee deceiued in mistaking one for another the difference consisting chiefly in this that the leaues of this are not so broad or so long nor rise vp in Autumne in the midst of these leaues riseth vp a short green stalke an handfull high or not much higher vsually I speake of it as it hath often flowred with mee whether the cause be the coldnesse of the time wherein it flowreth or the nature of the plant or of our climate I am in some doubt but I doe well remember that the stalkes of some plants that haue flowred later with me then the first haue by the greater strength and comfort of the Sunne risen a good deale higher then the first bearing at the top out of a whitish thinne skinne striped with greene one flower a little bending downewards consisting of sixe leaues laid open almost in the same
aureus Anglicus maximus Mr. Wilmers great double Daffodill The other great double Daffodill doth so neare resemble our ordinary English double kinde that I doe not finde therein any greater difference then the largenesse both of leaues and flowers c. and the statelinesse of growth It beareth three or foure large long and broad leaues somewhat longer and broader then the former and of a whitish greene colour the stalke riseth to bee two foote high growing in a fruitfull and fat soyle strong and somewhat round bearing at the toppe out of a thin skinne one great and faire double flower each leafe whereof is twice as large and broad as the former diuersly intermixt with a rowe of paler and a rowe of deeper yellow leaues wholly dispersed throughout the flower the pale colour as well as the deeper yellow in this as in the other small English kinde growing deeper by standing sometimes the leaues hereof are scattered and spread wholly making it shew a faire broad open flower and sometimes the outer leaues stand separate from the middle trunke which is whole and vnbroken and very thicke of leaues and sometimes the middle trunke will bee halfe broken neither expressing a full open double flower nor a close double trunke as it is likewise seene in the small English kinde as shall bee declared in his place this beareth no seede the roote hereof is thicke and great and encreaseth as well as any other Daffodill 3. Pseudonarcissus aureus Hispanicus flore pleno The great double yellow Spanish bastard Daffodill or Parkinsons Daffodill This double Spanish Daffodill hath diuers leaues rising from the roote stiffer narrower and not of so whitish a greene colour as the former but more sullen or grayish plainely resembling the leaues of the single great kinde from whence this hath risen the stalke hereof likewise riseth almost as high as it and neare the height of the last recited double bearing one double flower at the toppe alwayes spread open and neuer forming a double trunke like the former yet not so faire and large as it the outermost leaues whereof being of a greenish colour at the first and afterward more yellow doe a little turne themselues backe againe to the stalke the other leaues are some of a pale yellow and others of a more gold yellow colour those that stand in the middle are smaller and some of them shew as if they were hollow trunked so that they seeme to be greenish whitish yellow and gold yellow all mixed one among another the root is great round and whitish on the inside couered with darke coloured skinnes or peelings I thinke none euer had this kinde before my selfe nor did I my selfe euer see it before the yeare 1618. for it is of mine own raising and flowring first in my Garden 4. Pseudonarcissus Gallicus maior flore pleno The greater double French bastard Daffodill This greater double Daffodill hath his whitish greene leaues longer and broader then the smaller French kinde hereafter following to bee described and broader longer and more limber then the double English kinde the stalke riseth vp not much higher then the smaller French kinde but a little bigger bearing at the top one great double flower which when it is fully and perfectly blowne open which is but seldome for that it is very tender the leaues being much thinner and thereby continually subiect vpon any little distemperature of the time to cleaue so fast one vnto another that the flower cannot blow open faire is a faire and a goodly flower larger by halfe then the smaller kinde and fuller of leaues of the same pale whitish yellow or Lemon colour with the lesser or rather a little whiter and not set in the same order of rowes as it is but more confusedly together and turning backe the ends of the outermost leaues to the stalke againe and hauing the bottome of the flower on the backside somewhat greene neither of which is found in the lesser kinde the roote is very like vnto the lesser kinde but a little bigger and longer 5. Pseudonarcissus Anglicus flore pleno The double English bastard Daffodill or Gerrards double Daffodill The leaues of this double Daffodill are very like vnto the single kinde being of a whitish greene colour and somewhat broad a little shorter and narrower yet stiffer then the former French kinde the stalke riseth vp about a foote high bearing at the toppe one very double flower the outermost leaues being of the same pale colour that is to bee seene in the wings of the single kinde those that stand next them are some as deepe a yellow as the trunke of the single and others of the same pale colour with some greene stripes on the backe of diuers of the leaues thus is the whole flower variably intermixt with pale and deepe yellow and some greene stripes among them when it is fully open and the leaues dispersed and broken For sometimes the flower sheweth a close and round yellow trunke in the middle separate from the pale outer wings which trunke is very double shewing some pale leaues within it dispersed among the yellow And sometimes the trunke is more open or in part broken shewing forth the same colours intermixt within it the flower passeth away without giuing any seede as all other bulbous rootes doe that beare double flowers the roote is small very like vnto the French double kindes especially the lesser that it is verie hard to know the one from the other The Place The first and greatest kinde we had first from Iohn Tradescante as I said before whether raised from seed or gained from beyond Sea I know not The second we first had from Vincent Sion borne in Flanders dwelling on the Banke side in his liues time but now dead an industrious and worthy louer of faire flowers who cherished it in his Garden for many yeares without bearing of any flowers vntill the yeare 1620. that hauing flowred with him and hee not knowing of whom hee receiued it nor hauing euer seene the like flower before he sheweth it to Mr. Iohn de Franqueuille of whom he supposed he had receiued it for from beyond Sea he neuer receiued any who finding it to bee a kinde neuer seene or knowne to vs before caused him to respect it the more as it is well worthy And Mr. George Wilmer of Stratford Bowe Esquire in his liues time hauing likewise receiued it of him as my selfe did also would needes appropriate it to himselfe as if he were the first founder thereof and call it by his owne name Wilmers double Daffodill which since hath so continued The third is of mine owne fostering or raising as I said before for assuredly it is risen from the seede of the great Spanish single kinde which I sowed in mine owne Garden and cherished it vntill it gaue such a flower as is described The fourth is not certainly knowne where his originall should be Some thinke it to be of France and others of Germany The last
is assuredly first naturall of our owne Countrey for Mr. Gerrard first discouered it to the world finding it in a poore womans Garden in the West parts of England where it grew before the woman came to dwell there and as I haue heard since is naturall of the Isle of Wight The Time They doe all flower much about one time that is from the middle or end of March as the yeare is forward vnto the middle of Aprill The Names Vpon the three first I haue imposed the names in Latine as they are expressed in their titles and for the English names if you please you may let them passe likewise as they are expressed there also that thereby euery one may be truely distinguished and not confounded The fourth besides the name in the title is called of some Narcissus Germanicus which whether it be of Germany or no I know not but that the name should import so much The last doth vsually carry Mr. Gerrards name and called Gerrards double Daffodill 1. Pseudonarcissus augustifolius flore flauescente tubo quasi abscisso The narrow leafed bastard Daffodill with the clipt trunke This kinde of Daffodill hath long and narrow grayish greene leaues bearing one single flower at the toppe of his stalke like vnto the former single bastard kindes before specified hauing his outer leaues of a pale yellow colour and his trunke of a deeper yellow the chiefe differences in this from the former is in the leaues being narrow and then in the trunke of the flower which is not crumpled or turned vp as most of the other are and that the brimmes or edges of the flower is as if it had beene clipt off or cut euen 2. Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus medius minor luteus The two lesser Spanish yellow bastard Daffodils These two lesser kindes of Spanish Daffodils doe but differ in greatnesse the one from the other and not in any thing else so that in declaring the one you may vnderstand the other to bee a little greater The lesser then hath three or foure narrow short whitish greene leaues from among which commeth forth a short stalke not aboue an hand breadth or halfe a foote high bearing one single flower not fully standing outright but a little bending downe consisting of six small leaues standing as wings about a small but long trunke a little crumpled at the brimmes the whole flower as well leaues as trunke are of one deepe yellow colour like vnto the great Spanish kinde the roote is but small and couered with a darkish coate The other is in all parts greater and as I said differeth not else 3. Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus luteus minimus The least Spanish yellow bastard Daffodill The leaues of this small kinde are smaller and shorter then the former seldome exceeding the length of three inches and very narrow withall but of the same grayish greene colour with the former euery flower standeth vpon a small and short footestalke scarce rising aboue the ground so that his nose for the most part doth lye or touch the ground and is made after the same fashion and of the same colour with the former but much smaller as his roote is so likewise 4. Pseudonarcissus Gallicus minor flore pleno The lesser French double bastard Daffodill The rootes of this lesser French kinde if I may lawfully call it or the greater kinde before specified a bastard Daffodill for I somewhat doubt thereof in that the flower of either is not made after the fashion of any of the other bastard Daffodils but doth more nearely resemble the forme of the double white Daffodill expressed before among the true Daffodils are like vnto the double English kinde as also to the former double greater French kinde and the leaues are of the same whitish greene colour also but narrower and not longer the stalke riseth a little higher then the English and not fully so high as the greater French bearing one faire double flower thereon of a pale yellow or Lemon colour consisting of six rowes of leaues euery rowe growing smaller then other vnto the middle and so set and placed that euery leafe of the flower doth stand directly almost in all one vpon or before another vnto the middle where the leaues are smallest the outermost being the greatest which maketh the flower seeme the more beautifull this and the greater kinde hath no trunke or shew of any other thing in the middle as all or most of the other former double bastard Daffodils haue but are flowers wholly composed of leaues standing double euen to the middle The Place The first is vndoubtedly a naturall of the Pyrenaean Mountaines The Spanish kindes grew in Spaine and The French double kinde about Orleance in France where it is said to grow plentifully The Time The first flowreth at the end of March. The Spanish kindes are the most early flowring betimes in March The French double doth flower presently after The Names More cannot bee said or added concerning the names of any of these Daffodils then hath been set downe in their titles onely the French kinde is most vsually called Robinus his Daffodill Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius albus The white bastard Rush Daffodill or Iunquilia This bastard Rush Daffodill hath two or three long and very greene leaues very like vnto the small yellow Rush Daffodill formerly described but not altogether so round among which riseth vp a short stalke seldome halfe a foote high bearing at the toppe out of a small skinnie huske one small white flower sometime declining to a pale colour hauing six small and short leaues standing about the middle of the trunke which is long and much wider open at the mouth then at the bottome the small outer leaues or wings are a little tending to greene and the trunke as I said is either white or whitish hauing the brimmes a little vneuen the seede is small blacke and round like vnto other Rush Daffodils but smaller Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus maior The greater yellow Iunquilia or bastard Daffodill The leaues of this greater kinde are longer greater and a little broader then the former the stalke also is higher and the flower larger more open at the mouth and crumpled then the white but wholly of a yellow colour the seede and the roots are bigger according to the proportion of the plant Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus minor The lesser yellow bastard Iunquilia This is so like vnto the last in all things that I shall not neede to trouble you with repetitions of the same things formerly spoken the chiefest difference is the smalnesse of the plant in all parts Pseudonarcissus Iuncifolius luteus serotinus The late yellow bastard Iunquilia There is likewise a third kinde as great as the greater yellow and in all his parts expressing and equalling it but is accounted the fairer and flowreth somewhat later The Place The Pyrenaean Hils haue afforded vs all these varieties and wee preserue them carefully for they are all tender The Time All these flower
The white Grape-flower The white Grape-flower hath his greene leaues a little whiter then the blew or skie coloured Grape-flower his flowers are very pure white alike sparsedly set on the stalkes but a little lower and smaller then it in all other things there is no difference Hyacinthus Botroides flore albo rubente The blush Grape-flower The roote of this Grape-flower groweth greater then either the skie coloured or white Grape-flower and seldome hath any small rootes or of-sets as the other haue his leaues also are larger and somewhat broader the flowers are of a pale or bleake blush colour out of a white and are a little larger and grow a little higher and fuller of flowers then the white The Place They naturally grow in many places both of Germany and Hungary in Spaine likewise and on Mount Baldus in Italy and Narbone in France about the borders of the fields we haue them in our Gardens for delight The Time These flower from the beginning of March or sooner sometimes vntill the beginning of May. The Names They are most commonly called Botroides but more truely Botryodes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Greeke word which signifieth a bunch or cluster of grapes Lobelius calleth the white one Dipcadi flore albo transferring the name Dipcadi whereby the Muscari is called to this Iacinth as if they were both one Their seuerall names whereby they are knowne and called are set downe in their titles The Dutchmen call them Driuekens as I said before Some English Gentlewomen call the white Grape-flower Pearles of Spaine 1. Hyacinthus Comosus albus The white haired Iacinth This Iacinth doth more neerly resemble the Grape-flowers then the faire haired Iacinths that follow whereof it beareth the name in that it hath no haire or threeds at the toppe of the stalke or sides as they and therefore I haue placed it next vnto them and the other to follow it as being of another kinde The root hereof is blackish a little long and round from whence rise vp three or foure leaues being smooth and whitish long narrow and hollow like a trough or gutter on the vpperside among which the stalke riseth vp a foote high or more bearing at the toppe diuers small flowers somewhat like the former but not so thicke set together being a little longer and larger and wider at the mouth and as it were diuided into six edges of a darke whitish colour with some blacker spots about the brimmes on the inside the heads or seede-vessels are three square and somewhat larger then the heads of any of the former lesser Grape-flowers wherein is contained round blacke seede 2. Hyacinthus Comosus Byzantinus The Turkie faire haired Iacinth This other Iacinth which came from Constantinople is somewhat like the former but that it is bigger both in roote and leafe and flower and bearing greater store of flowers on the head of the stalke the lower flowers although they haue short stalkes at their first flowring yet afterwards the stalkes grow longer and those that are lower stand out further then those that are highest whose foot-stalkes are short and almost close to the stemme and of a more perfect purple then any below which are of a duskie greenish purple colour the whole stalke of flowers seem like a Pyramis broad belowe and small aboue or as other compare it to a water sprinkle yet neither of both these Iacinths haue any threeds at the tops of the stalkes as the other following haue 3. Hyacinthus Comosus maior purpureus The great purple faire haired Iacinth This faire haired Iacinth hath his leaues softer longer broader and lesse hollow then the former lying for the most part vpon the ground the stalke riseth vp in the midst of the leaues being stronger higher and bearing a greater and longer head of flowers also then they the flowers of this stand not vpon such long foote-stalkes but are shorter below and close almost to the stalke aboue hauing many bright purplish blew threeds growing highest aboue the flowers as it were in a bush together euery one of these threeds hauing a little head at the end of them somewhat like vnto one of the flowers but much smaller the rest of the flowers below this bush are of a sadder or deader purple and not so bright a colour and the lowest worst of all rather enclining to a greene like vnto the last Turkie kinde the whole stalke with the flowers vpon it doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassell and thereupon diuers Gentlewomen haue so named it the heads and seede are like vnto the former but greater the roote is great and white with some rednesse on the outside 4. Hyacinthus Comosus ramosus purpureus The faire haired branched Iacinth The leaues of this Iacinth are broader shorter and greener then of the last not lying so weakly on the ground but standing somewhat more vpright the stalke riseth vp as high as the former but branched out on euery side into many tufts of threeds with knappes as it were heads of flowers at the ends of them like vnto the head of threeds at the toppe of the former Iacinth but of a little darker and not so faire a blewish purple colour this Iacinth doth somewhat resemble the next Curld haire Iacinth but that the branches are not so fairely composed altogether of curled threeds nor of so excellent a faire purple or Doue colour but more duskie by much the roote is greater and shorter then of the next and encreaseth faster 5. Hyacinthus Pennatus siue Comosus ramosus elegantior The faire Curld-haire Iacinth This admirable Iacinth riseth vp with three or foure leaues somewhat like vnto the leaues of the Muske Grape-flower but lesser betweene which riseth vp the stalke about a foote high or somewhat more bearing at the toppe a bush or tuft of flowers which at the first appearing is like vnto a Cone or Pineapple and afterwards opening it selfe spreadeth into many branches yet still retaining the forme of a Pyramis being broad spread below and narrow vp aboue each of these branches is againe diuided into many tufts of threeds or strings twisted or curled at the ends and of an excellent purple or Doue colour both stalkes and haires This abideth a great while in his beauty but afterwards all these flowers if you will so call them do fall away without any seede at all spending it selfe as it should seeme in the aboundance of the flowers the roote is not so great as the last but white on the outside The Place The two first haue been sent diuers times from Constantinople the third is found wilde in many places of Europe and as well in Germany as in Italy The two last are onely with vs in Gardens and their naturall places are not knowne vnto vs. The Time The three former kindes doe flower in Aprill the two last in May. The Names The first and second haue no other names then are expressed in their titles 1 Hyacinthus Comosus albus The white
some dry but not hot or windy place and then plant it in the ground vnder a South wall or such like defended place which will spring and no doubt prosper well there in regard the greatest and deepest frosts are past after February so that seldome any great frosts come after to pierce so deepe as the roote is to be set or thereby to doe any great harme to it in such a place The Place This hath been often sent out of Turkie and likewise out of Italy I had likewise two rootes sent mee out of Spaine by Guillaume Boel before remembred which as hee said hee gathered there but they prospered not with me for want of the knowledge of the former rule It may be likely that Arabia is the place from whence they of Constantinople receiue it The Time It flowreth in May if it be of the first yeares bringing or in Iune if it haue been ordered after the manner before set downe The Names It hath been sent out of Italy by the name of Lilium Alexandrinum The Lilly of Alexandria but it hath no affinity with any Lilly Others call it Hyacinthus Arabicus and the Italians Iacintho del pater nostro but it is no Iacinth neither although the flowers be like some of them Some also would referre it to a Narcissus or Daffodill and it doth as little agree with it as with a Lilly although his flowers in largenesse and whitenesse resemble a Daffodill Clusius hath most fitly referred it to the stocke or kindred of Ornithogala or Starres of Bethlehem as wee call them in English and from the Turkish name Zumbul Arabi entituled it Ornithogalum Arabicum although Zumbul as I haue before declared is with them a Iacinth wee may call it in English The Arabian Starre-flower or Starre of Bethlehem or the great Starre-flower of Arabia 1. Ornithogalum maximum album The greatest white Starre-flower or Starre of Bethlehem This great Starre-flower hath many faire broad long and very fresh green leaues rising vp very early and are greater longer and greener then the leaues of any Orientall Iacinth which doe abide greene from the beginning or middle of Ianuary or before sometimes vntill the end of May at which time they begin to fade and the stalke with the head of flowers beginneth to rise so that it will haue either few or no leaues at all when the flowers are blowne the stalke is strong round and firme rising two foote high or more bearing at the toppe a great bush of flowers seeming at the first to be a great greene eare of corne for it is made spike-fashion which when the flowers are blowne doth rise to be very high slender or small at the head aboue and broad spread and bushing below so that it is long in flowring for they flower below first and so vpwards by degrees these flowers are snow white without any line on the backside and is therein like vnto the former as also in whitenesse but nothing so large with a white vmbone or head in the middle beset with many white threeds tipt with yellow the seede is blacke and round contained in three square heads the roote is great thicke and short and somewhat yellowish on the outside with a flat bottome both like the former and the next that followeth 2. Ornithogalum maius spicatum album The great white spiked Starre-flower This spiked Starre-flower in his growing is somewhat like vnto the last described but springeth not vp so early nor hath his leaues so greene or large but hath broad long whitish greene hollow leaues pointed at the end among which riseth vp the stalke which is strong and high as the former hauing a great bush of flowers at the toppe standing spike-fashion somewhat like the former flowring in the same maner by degrees first below and so vpwards but it is not so thicke set with flowers nor so farre spread at the bottome as it the flowers also are not so white and each of the leaues of them haue a greene line downe the backe leauing the edges on both sides white after the flowers are past the heads for seede grow three square like the other bearing such like blacke seede therein the roote hereof is vsually bigger then the last and whiter on the outside 3. Ornithogalum Pannonicum The Hungarian Starre-flower This Hungarian Starre-flower shooteth out diuers narrow long whitish greene leaues spread vpon the ground before Winter which are very like vnto the leaues of Gilloflowers and so abide aboue ground hauing a stalke rising in the middle of them the next Spring about halfe a foote high or thereabouts bearing many white flowers at the toppe with greene lines downe the backe of them very like vnto the ordinary Starres of Bethlehem the roote is greater thicker and longer then the ordinary Starres and for the most part two ioyned together somewhat grayish on the outside 4. Ornithogalum vulgare The Starre of Bethlehem The ordinary Starre of Bethlehem is so common and well knowne in all countries and places that it is almost needlesse to describe it hauing many greene leaues with white lines therein and a few white flowers set about the toppe of the stalke with greenish lines downe the backe the roote is whitish and encreaseth aboundantly 5. Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni siue Ornithogalum maius flore subuirescente The bulbous Asphodill or greene Starre-flower Diuers haue referred this plant vnto the Asphodils because as I thinke the flowers hereof are straked on the backe and the leaues long and narrow like vnto the Asphodils but the roote of this being bulbous I rather as some others doe ioyne it with the Ornithogala for they also haue strakes on the backe of the flowers It hath many whitish greene leaues long and narrow spread vpon the ground which spring vp in the beginning of the yeare and abide vntill May and then they withering the stalke springeth vp almost as high as the first hauing many pale yellowish greene flowers but smaller and growing more sparsedly about the stalke vpon short foot-stalkes but in a reasonable long head spike-fashion the seede is like vnto the second kinde but smaller the roote is somewhat yellowish like the first great white kinde The Place The first is onely nursed in Gardens his originall being not well knowne yet some attribute it vnto Pannonia or Hungary The second hath been found neare vnto Barcinone and Toledo in Spaine The third was found in Hungary by Clusius Our ordinary euery where in the fields of Italy and France and as it is said in England also And the last groweth likewise by the corne fields in the vpper Hungary The Time They flower in Aprill and May and sometimes in Iune The Names 1 Ornithogalum Arabicum The great starre-flower of Arabia 2 Ornithogalum maximum album The greatest white starre flower 3 Ornithogalum maius spicatum album The great white spiked starre flower 4 Ornithogalum Pannonicum album The Hungarian starre-flower 5 Asphodalus bulbosus Galeni
fertile This I thought good from the true relation of a friend to giue the world to vnderstand that truth might expell errour The Vertues These haue not been knowne to bee vsed to any Physicall purpose but wholly neglected vnlesse some may eate them as Clusius reporteth CHAP. XIX Iris bulbosa The bulbous Flowerdeluce THe Flowerdeluces that haue bulbous rootes are of two sorts the one greater then the other the greater bearing larger and broader leaues and flowers and the lesser narrower But before I giue you the descriptions of the vsuall greater kindes I must needes place one or two in the fore-front that haue no fellowes the one is called of Clusius his broad leafed Flowerdeluce and the other a Persian somewhat like vnto it which although they differ notably from the rest yet they haue the nearest resemblance vnto those greater kindes that come next after them Iris bulbosa prima latifolia Clusij Clusius his first great bulbous Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce hath diuers long and broad leaues not stiffe like all the other but soft and greenish on the vpperside and whitish vnderneath among which rise vp sometimes seuerall small short slender stalkes and sometimes but one not aboue halfe a foote high bearing at the top one flower a peece somewhat like vnto a Flowerdeluce consisting of nine leaues whereof those three that stand vpright are shorter and more closed together then in other sorts of Flowerdeluces the other three that fall downe turne vp their ends a little and those three that in other Flowerdeluces doe couer them at the bottome stand like the vpright leaues of other Flowerdeluces but are parted into two ends like vnto two small eares the whole flower is of a faire blew or pale skie colour in most with a long stripe in the middle of each of the three falling leaues and in some white but more seldome the roote is reasonable great round and white vnder the blackish coates wherewith it is couered hauing many long thicke white rootes in stead of fibres which make them seeme to be Asphodill rootes The flower is very sweete Iris bulbosa Persica The Persian bulbous Flowerdeluce This Persian Flowerdeluce is somewhat like vnto the former both in roote and in leafe but that the leaues are shorter and narrower and the flower being much about the same fashion is of a pale blew russetish colour each of the three lower falling leaues are almost wholly of a browne purple colour with a yellow spot in the middle of them this as it is very rare so it seldome beareth flowers with vs. The Place The first groweth in many places of Spaine and Portugall from whence I and others haue often had it for our Gardens but by reason of the tendernesse thereof it doth hardly endure the sharpnesse of our cold Winters vnlesse it be carefully preserued The other is said to come from Persia and therefore it is so entituled and is as tender to be kept as the other The Time The first flowreth most vsually not vntill May with vs yet many times sooner but in Ianuary and February as Clusius saith in the naturall places thereof The other is as early oftentimes when it doth flower with vs. The Names Because Clusius by good iudgement referreth the first to the greater kindes of Flowerdeluces and placeth it in the fore ranke calling it Iris bulbosa latifolia prima that is The first broad leafed Flowerdeluce and all others doe the like I haue as you see in the like manner put it before all the other and keepe the same name The Spaniards as he saith called it Lirio espadanal and they of Corduba Lirios azules The other hath no other name then as it is in the title 1. Iris bulbosa maior siue Anglica caerulea The blew English bulbous Flowerdeluce This bulbous Flowerdeluce riseth vp early euen in Ianuary oftentimes with fiue or six long and narrow in comparison of any great breadth but in regard of the other kinde broad whitish green leaues crested or straked on the backside and halfe round the inside being hollow like a trough or gutter white all along the inside of the leafe and blunt at the end among which riseth vp a stiffe round stalke a cubit or two foot high at the toppe whereof out of a skinnie huske commeth forth one or two flowers consisting of nine leaues a peece three whereof that are turned downewards are larger and broader then the other hauing in each of them a yellow spot about the middle of the leafe other three are small hollow ridged or arched couering the lower part next the stalke of those falling leaues turning vp their ends which are diuided into two parts other three stand vpright and are very small at the bottome of them and broader toward the toppe the whole flower is of a faire blew colour after the flowers are past come vp three square heads somewhat long and lanke or loose containing in them round yellowish seede which when it is ripe will rattle by the shaking of the winde in the dry huskes the roote of this kinde is greater and longer then any of the smaller kindes with narrow leaues couered with diuers browne skinnes which seeme to be fraught with long threeds like haires especially at the small or vpper end of the roote which thing you shall not finde in any of the smaller kindes 2. Iris bulbosa maior purpurea purpurâ— violacea The paler or deeper purple great bulbous Flowerdeluce These purple Flowerdeluces differ not from the last described either in roote or leafe the chiefest difference consisteth in the flowers which in these are somewhat larger then in the former and in the one of a deepe blew or Violet purple colour and in the other of a deepe purple colour in all other things alike There is also another in all other things like vnto the former but only in the flower Flore cinereo which is of a pale or bleake blew which we call an ash-colour 3. Iris bulbosa maior purpurea variegata siue striata The great purple stript bulbous Flowerdeluce There is another of the purple kinde whose flower is purple but with some veines or stripes of a deeper Violet colour diuersly running through the whole leaues of the flower And another of that bleake blew or ash-colour Flore cinereo striata purpureo Flore purpuâ—eo orbe cinereo with lines and veines of purple in the leaues of the flowers some more or lesse then other And againe another whose flower is of a purple colour like vnto the second but that round about that yellow spot in the middle of each of the three falling leaues as is vsuall in all the bulbous Flowerdeluces there is a circle of a pale blew or ash-colour the rest of the leafe remaining purple as the other parts of the flower is 4. Iris bulbosa maior flore rubente The great peach coloured bulbous Flowerdeluce There is another of these greater kindes more rare then any of
or three large flowers out of seuerall huskes or skins consisting of nine leaues as all the other do of a faire white colour hauing in the middle of each of the three falling leaues a small long yellow frize or thrume as is most vsuall in all the sorts of the following Flowerdeluces both of the greater and smaller kindes after the flowers are past come the seed inclosed in thicke short pods full fraught or stored with red roundish and flat seede lying close one vpon another the roote is tuberous or knobby shooting out from euery side such like tuberous heads lying for the most part vpon or aboue the ground and fastened within the ground with long white strings or fibres which hold them strongly and encreaseth fast Flore pallido There is another like vnto this last in all things sauing that the colour of the flower is of a more yellowish white which we vsually call a Straw colour Iris alba maior Versicolor The white party coloured Flowerdeluce This variable Flowerdeluce is like vnto the former but that the leaues are not so large and broad the flower hereof is as large almost and as white as the former but it hath a faire list or line of a blewish purple downe the backe of euery one of the three vpright leaues and likewise round about the edges both of the vpper and lower leaues and also a little more purplish vpon the ridge of the arched leaues that couer the falling leaues the roote hereof is not so great as of the former white but a little slenderer and browner Iris Dalmatica maior The great Dalmatian Flowerdeluce This greater Flowerdeluce of Dalmatia hath his leaues as large and broad as any of the Flowerdeluces whatsoeuer his stalke and flower doe equall his other proportion onely the colour of the flower is differing being of a faire watchet or bleake blew colour wholly with the yellow frize or thrum downe the middle of the lower or falling leaues as before is said to be common to all these sorts of Flowerdeluces in all other parts it little differeth sauing onely this is obserued to haue a small shew of a purplish red about the bottome of the greene leaues Iris purpurea siue vulgaris The common purple Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce which is most common in Gardens differeth nothing at all from those that are formerly described either in roote leafe or flower for the forme of them but onely that the leaues of this are not so large as the last and the flower it selfe is of a deep purple or Violet colour and sometimes a little declining to rednesse especially in some places Sometimes this kinde of Flowerdeluce will haue flowers of a paler purple colour Purpurea pallidior versicolor comming neare vnto a blew and sometimes it will haue veines or stripes of a deeper blew or purple or ash-colour running through all the vpper and lower leaues There is another like vnto this but more purple in the fals Caerulea labris purpureis and more pale in the vpright leaues Iris Asiatica caerulea The blew Flowerdeluce of Asia This Flowerdeluce of Asia is in largenesse of leaues like vnto the Dalmatian but beareth more store of flowers on seuerall branches which are of a deeper blew colour and the arched leaues whitish on the side and purplish on the ridges but in other things like vnto it There is another neare vnto this but that his leaues are a little narrower Purpurea and his flowers a little more purple especially the vpper leaues Iris Damascena The Flowerdeluce of Damasco This is likewise altogether like the Flowerdeluce of Asia but that it hath some white veines in the vpright leaues Iris Lusitanica biflora The Portugall Flowerdeluce This Portugall Flowerdeluce is very like the common purple Flowerdeluce but that this is not so large in leaues or flowers and that it doth often flower twice in a yeare that is both in the Spring and in the Autumne againe and besides the flowers haue a better or sweeter sent but of the like purple or Violet colour as it is and comming forth out of purplish skins or huskes Iris Camerarij siue purpurea versicolor maior The greater variable coloured purple Flowerdeluce The greater of the variable purple Flowerdeluces hath very broad leaues like vnto the leaues of the common purple Flowerdeluce and so is the flower also but differing in colour for the three lower leaues are of a deepe purple colour tending to rednesse the three arched leaues are of the colour with the vpper leaues which are of a pale or bleake colour tending to yellownesse shadowed ouer with a smoakie purplish colour except the ridges of the arched leaues which are of a more liuely purple colour Iris purpurea versicolor minor The lesser variable purple Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce differeth not in any thing from the last but onely that it hath narrower greene leaues and smaller and narrower flowers else if they be both conferred together the colours will not seeme to varie the one from the other any whit at all There is another somewhat neare vnto these two last kindes Altera minus fuliginea whose huskes from whence the flowers doe shoot forth haue purple veines in them and to haue the falling purplish leaues and the three vpright leaues are not so smoakie yet of a dun purple colour Iris caerulea versicolor The blew party coloured Flowerdeluce This party coloured Flowerdeluce hath his leaues of the same largenesse with the lesser variable purple Flowerdeluce last described and his flowers diuersly marked for some haue the fals blew at the edges and whitish at the bottome the arched leaues of a yellowish white and the vpright leaues of a whitish blew with yellowish edges Some againe are of a darker blew with brownish spots in them And some are so pale a blew that we may well call it an ash colour And lastly there is another of this sort whose vpright leaueâ— are of a faire pale blew with yellowish edges and the falling leaues parted into two colours sometimes equally in the halfe each side sutable to the other in colour And sometimes hauing the one leafe in that manner And sometimes but with a diuers coloured list in them in the other parts both of flower and leafe like vnto the other Iris lutea variegata The yellow variable Flowerdeluce This yellow variable Flowerdeluce loseth his leaues in Winter contrary to all the former Flowerdeluces so that his roote remaineth vnder ground without any shew of leafe vpon it but in the beginning of the Spring it shooteth out faire broad leaues falling downwards at the points or ends but shorter many times then any of the former and so is the stalke likewise not rising much aboue a foote high whereon are set two or three large flowers whose falling leaues are of a reddish purple colour the three that stand vpright of a smoakie yellow the arched leaues hauing their ridges of a bleake colour tending to
are in some of a pure white in others paler or somewhat yellowish through the whole flower except the yellow frize or thrume in the middle of euery one of the falling leaues after the flowers are past come forth great heads containing within them round pale seed the roote is small according to the proportion of the plant aboue ground but made after the fashion of the greater kindes with tuberous peeces spreading from the sides and strong fibres or strings whereby they are fastened in the ground 2. Chamaeiris latifolia maior purpurea The greater purple dwarfe Flowerdeluce There is no difference either in roote leafe or forme of flower in this from the former dwarfe kinde but onely in the colour of the flower which in some is of a very deepe or blacke Violet purple both the toppes and the fals in others the Violet purple is more liuely and in some the vpper leaues are blew and the lower leaues purple yet all of them haue that yellow frize or thrume in the middle of the falling leaues that the other kindes haue Altera There is another that beareth purple flowers that might be reckoned for the smalnesse and shortnesse of his stalke to the next kinde but that the flowers and leaues of this are as large as any of the former kindes of the smaller Flowerdeluces 3. Chamaeiris latifolia minor alba The lesser white dwarfe Flowerdeluce There is also another sort of these Flowerdeluces whose leaues and flowers are lesse and wherein there is much variety The leaues of this kinde are all for the most part somewhat smaller narrower and shorter then the former the stalke with the flower vpon it scarce riseth aboue the leaues so that in most of them it may be rather called a foote-stalke such as the Saffron flowers haue and are therefore called of manie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without stalkes the flowers are like vnto the first described of the dwarfe kindes and of a whitish colour with a few purplish lines at the bottome of the vpper leaues and a list of greene in the falling leaues Stramiâ—â—a Another hath the flowers of a pale yellow called a Straw colour with whitish stripes and veines in the fals and purplish lines at the bottome of the vpper leaues 4. Chamaeiris latifolia minor purpurea The lesser purple dwarfe Flowerdeluce The difference of this from the former consisteth more in the colour then forme of the flower which is of a deep Violet purple sometimes paler and sometimes so deep that it almost seemeth blacke And sometimes the fals purplish and the vpper leaues blew Some of these haue a sweete sent and some none Caerulea There is another of a fine pale or delayed blew colour throughout the whole flower 5. Chamaeiris latifolia minor suaeuerubens The lesser blush coloured dwarfe Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce hath the falling leaues of the flower of a reddish colour and the thrumes blew the vpper and arched leaues of a fine pale red or flesh colour called a blush colour in all other things it differeth not and smelleth little or nothing at all 6. Chamaeiris latifolia minor lutea versicolor The lesser yellow variable dwarfe Flowerdeluce The falling leaues of this Flowerdeluce are yellowish with purple lines from the middle downewards sometimes of a deeper and sometimes of a paler colour and white thrumes in the middle the vpper leaues are likewise of a yellowish colour with purple lines in them And sometimes the yellow colour is paler and the lines both in the vpper and lower leaues of a dull or dead purple colour 3. Chamaeiris latifolia minor caerulea versicolor The lesser blew variable dwarfe Flowerdeluce The vpper leaues of this flower are of a blewish yellow colour spotted with purple in the broad part and at the bottome very narrow the falling leaues are spread ouer with pale purplish lines and a small shew of blew about the brimmes the thrume is yellow at the bottome and blewish aboue the arched leaues are of a blewish white being a little deeper on the ridge And sometimes the vpper leaues are of a paler blew rather whitish with the yellow both these haue no sent at all 8. Chamaeiris marina purpurea The purple dwarfe Sea Flowerdeluce This small Flowerdeluce is like vnto the narrow leafed Sea Flowerdeluce before described both in roote leafe and flower hauing no other difference but in the smalnesse and lownesse of the growing being of the same purple colour with it 9. Chamaeiris angustifolia maior The greater Grasse Flowerdeluce This Grasse Flowerdeluce hath many long and narrow darke greene leaues not so stiffe as the former but lither and bending their ends downe againe among which rise vp diuers stalkes bearing at the toppe two or three sweete flowers as small as any of them set downe before of a reddish purple colour with whitish yellow and purple strakes downe the middle of the falling leaues the arched leaues are of a horse flesh colour all along the edges and purple vpon the ridges and tips that turne vp againe vnder these appeare three browne aglets like vnto birds tongues the three vpper leaues are small and narrow of a perfect purple or Violet colour the heads for seede haue sharper and harder cornered edges then the former the seedes are somewhat grayish like the former and so are the rootes being small blacke and hard growing thicke together fastened in the ground with small blackish hard strings which hardly shoote againe if the roote be remoued 10. Chamaeiris angustifolia minor The lesser Grasse Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce is in leaues flowers and rootes so like the last described that but onely it is smaller and lower it is not to be distinguished from the other And this may suffice for these sorts of Flowerdeluces that furnish the Gardens of the curious louers of these varieties of nature so farre forth as hath passed vnder our knowledge There are some other that may be referred hereunto but they belong to another history and therefore I make no mention of them in this place The Place The places of most of these are set downe in their seuerall titles for some are out of Turkie others out of Hungaria Dalmatia Illyria c. as their names doe import Those that grow by the Sea are found in Spaine and France The Time Some of these do flower in Aprill some in May and some not vntill Iune The Names The names expressed are the fittest agreeing vnto them and therefore it is needlesse againe to repeate them Many of the rootes of the former or greater kindes being dryed are sweete yet some more then other and some haue no sent at all but aboue all the rest that with the white flower called of Florence is accounted of all to be the sweetest root fit to be vsed to make sweete powders c. calling it by the name of Orris rootes Iris tuberosa The Veluet Flowerdeluce Vnto the Family of Flowerdeluces I must needes ioyne this peculiar
vnto this kinde or as it were betweene this and the first kinde of these great double Anemones we haue diuers other sorts bearing flowers very thicke and double some of them being white or whitish or purple deeper or paler and some of a reddish colour tending to Scarlet or a Carnation colour and some also of a blush or flesh colour and diuers other colours and all of them continue constant in their colours Anemone Cacumeni Maringi siue Persica The double Persian Anemone This rare Anemone which is said to come out of Persia to Constantinople and from thence to vs is in leafe and roote very like vnto the former double Anemones before described onely the flower hereof is rather like vnto the second great double Orenge coloured Anemone vsually called Pauo maior flore pleno being composed of three rowes of leaues the outtermost rowe consisting of ten or twelue larger leaues and those more inward lesser and more in number but all of them variably mixed with white red and yellow hauing the bottomes of the leaues white but instead of a middle head with thrums about it as the other hath this hath a few narrow leaues of a deepe yellow colour in the middle of the flower standing vpright Hauing thus farre proceeded in the two parts of the kindes of Anemones or Wind-flowers it remaineth to entreate of the rest which is those Anemones which haue thin cut leaues whereof some haue reckoned vp thirty sorts with single flowers which I confesse I haue not seene but so many as haue come to my knowledge I shall here set downe Anemone tenuifolia siue Geranifolia caerulea The Watchet Anemone or Storkes bill leafed Windflower This first Windflower with thin cut leaues riseth not out of the ground vntil the great Winter frost be past that is about the middle or end of February and are somewhat brownisâ—â—t their first appearing but afterwards spread into wings of greene leaues somâ—what broader then the rest that follow diuided into three parts each part into â—ree leaues euery one cut in about the edges one standing against another vpon a long slender foote-stalke and the end leafe by it selfe among these riseth vp two or three greene stalkes garnished with such like thin leaues as are at the bottome from aboue which rise the flowers but one vpon a stalke consisting of fourteene or fifteene small pale blew or watchet leaues lesser then any of the single kindes that follow compassing many whitish threads and a small greene head in the middle somewhat like the head of the wilde Crowfoote wherein is contained such like seede the roote is blackish without thrusting out into long tuberous peeces somewhat like vnto some of the broad leafed Anemones Alba. Of this kinde there is another whose leaues are not browne at their first rising but greene and the flowers are white in other things not differing Anemone tenuifolia purpurea vulgaris The ordinary purple Anemone with thin leaues This purple Anemone which is most common and therefore the lesse regarded hath many winged leaues standing vpon seuerall stalkes cut and diuided into diuers leaues much like vnto the leaues of a Carrot among which rise vp stalkes with some leaues thereon as is vsuall to the whole Family of Anemones both wilde and tame as is before said at the toppes whereof stand the flowers made of six leaues most vsually but sometimes they will haue seuen or eight being very large and of a perfect purple Violet colour very faire and liuely the middle head hath many blackish thrums or threads about it which I could neuer obserue in my Gardens to beare seed the roote is smaller and more spreading euery way into small long flat tuberous parts then any other kindes of single or double Anemones Carnea pallida There is another very like in leafe and roote vnto the former but the flower is nothing so large and is whitish tending to a blush colour and of a deeper blush colour toward the bottome of the flower with blackish blew thrums in the middle and giueth no seede that I could euer obserue Carnea viuida vnguibus albis There is likewise another like vnto the last in leafe and flower but that the flower is larger then it and is of a liuely blush colour the leaues hauing white bottomes Alba venis purpureis And another whose flower is white with purple coloured veines and stripes through euery leafe and is a lesser flower then the other Anemone tenuifolia coccinea simplex The single Scarlet Anemone with thin leaues The leaues of this Scarlet Windflower are somewhat like vnto the former but a little broader and not so finely cut and diuided the flower consisteth of six reasonable large leaues of an excellent red colour which we call a Scarlet the bottomes of the leaues are large and white and the thrums or threads in the middle of a blackish purple colour the roote is tuberous but consisting of thicker peeces somewhat like vnto the rootes of the broad leafed Anemones but somewhat browne and not so blacke and most like vnto the roote of the double Scarlet Anemone Coccinea absque vnguibus There is another of this kinde whose flower is neare vnto the same colour but this hath no white bottomes at all in his leaues Fâ—oâ—â— hâ—losericeo We haue another which hath as large a flower as any single and is of an Orient deepe red crimson Veluet colour Sanguinea There is another of a deeper red colour and is called The bloud red single Anemone Rubra fundo luteo Coccinea dilutior And another whose flower is red with the bottomes yellow Another of a perfect crimson colour whereof some haue round pointed leaues and others sharpe pointed and some a little lighter or deeper then others Alba staminibus purpureis There is also one whose flower is pure white with blewish purple thrums in the middle Carnea Hispanica And another whose flower is very great of a kinde of sullen blush colour but yet pleasant with blewish threads in the middle Alba carneis venis Alba purpureis vnguibus And another with blush veines in euery leafe of the white flower And another the flower whereof is white the bottomes of the leaues being purple Purpurascens Another whose flower consisteth of many small narrow leaues of a pale purple or blush colour on the outside and somewhat deeper within Facie florum pomi simplex There is another like in leafe and roote vnto the first Scarlet Anemone but the flower hereof consisteth of seuen large leaues without any bottomes of a white colour hauing edges and some large stripes also of a carnation or flesh colour to bee seene in them marked somewhat like an Apple blossome and thereupon it is called in Latine Anemone tenuifolia simplex alba instar florum pomi or facie florum pomi that is to say in English The single thin leafed Anemone with
Colombine foure or fiue rising from the roote the stalke riseth about a foote and a halfe high somewhat reddish beset here and there with the like leaues at the toppe whereof stand diuers small white flowers made of fiue leaues a peece with some pale white threads in the middle the seede is round and reddish contained in small huskes or hornes the roote is made of a bush or tuft of white strings 7. Ranunculus Thalictrifolio minor Asphodeli radice The small white Colombine leafed Crowfoote This small Crowfoote hath three or foure winged leaues spread vpon the ground standing vpon long stalkes and consisting of many small leaues set together spreading from the middle ribbe euery leafe somewhat resembling both in shape and colour the smallest and youngest leaues of Colombines the flowers are white standing at the toppe of the stalkes made of fiue round leaues the root hath three or foure thick short and round yellowish clogs hanging at the head like vnto the Asphodill roote The great Herball of Lyons that goeth vnder the name of Daleschampius saith that Dr. Myconus found it in Spaine and sent it vnder the name of Oenanthe and therefore Ioannes Molineus who is thought to haue composed that booke set it among the vmbelliferous plants because the Oenanthes beare vmbels of flowers and seede and haue tuberous or cloggy rootes but with what iudgement let others say when they haue compared the vmbels of flowers and seede of the Oenanthes with the flowers and seede of this plant and whether I haue not more properly placed it among the Ranunculi or Crowfeete and giuen it a denomination agreeable to his forme 8. Ranunculus Globosus The Globe Crowfoot This Crowfoote which in the Northerne countries of England where it groweth plentifully is called Locker goulous hath many faire broad darke greene leaues next the ground cut into fiue sixe or seuen diuisions and iagged besides at the edges among which riseth vp a stalke whereon are set such like leaues as are belowe but smaller diuided toward the toppe into some branches on the which stand seuerall large yellow flowers alwayes folded inward or as a close flower neuer blowing open as other flowers doe consisting of eleuen leaues for the most part set or placed in three rowes with many yellow threads in the middle standing about a greene rough head which in time groweth to be small knops wherein are contained blacke seede the roote is composed of many blackish strings 9. Ranunculus protensis flore multiplici The double yellow field Crowfoot There is little or no difference in the leaues of this double Crowfoot from those of the single kindes that growe in euery medowe being large and diuided into foure or fiue parts and indented about the edges but they are somewhat smaller and of a fresher greene the flowers stand on many branches much diuided or separated being not very great but very thicke and double the roote runneth and creepeth vnder ground like as the single doth 10. Ranunculus Anglicus maximus multiplex The Garden double yellow Crowfoot or Batchelours buttons This great double Crowfoote which is common in euery Garden through England hath many great blackish greene leaues iagged and cut into three diuisions each to the middle ribbe the stalkes haue some smaller leaues on them and those next vnder the branches long and narrow the flowers are of a greenish yellow colour very thicke and double of leaues in the middle whereof riseth vp a small stalke bearing another double flower like to the other but smaller the roote is round like vnto a small white Turnep with diuers other fibres annexed vnto it 11. Ranunculus Gramineus Grasse leafed Crowfoot The leaues of this Crowfoote are long and narrow somewhat like vnto Grasse or rather like the leaues of single Gilloflowers or Pinckes being small and sharpe pointed a little hollow and of a whitish greene colour among these leaues rise vp diuers slender stalkes bearing one small flower at the toppe of each consisting of fiue yellow 1 Aconitum Hyemale Winter Wolfesbane 2 Aconitum flore albido siue luteum Ponticum The whitish yellow Wolfesbane 3 Napellus verus Blew Helmets or Monkes hood 4 Anthora The counterpoison Monkes hood 5 Ranunculus humilis albus simplex The single white low Crowfoot 6 Ranunculus humilis albus duplici flore The double lowe white Crowfoot 7 Ranunculus Coriandrifolio The early Coriander leafed Crowfoot 8 Ranunculus montanus elatior albus The great single white mountain Crowfoot 9 Ranunculus montanus albus flore pleno The double white mountain Crowfoot 10 Ranunculus Thalictrifolio minor The lesser Colombine leafed Crowfoot 11 Ranunculus globosus The globe Crowfoot leaues with some threads in the middle the roote is composed of many thicke long round white strings There is another of this kinde that beareth flowers with two rowes of leaues as if it were double differing in nothing else 12. Ranunculus Lusitanicus Autumnalis The Portugall Autumne Crowfoot This Autumne Crowfoote hath diuers broad round leaues lying on the ground set vpon short foote-stalkes of a faire greene colour aboue and grayish vnderneath snipt all about the edges hauing many veines in them and sometimes swelling as with blisters or bladders on them from among which rise vp two or three slender and hairy stalkes bearing but one small yellow flower a peece consisting of fiue and sometimes of six leaues and sometimes of seuen or eight hauing a few threads in the middle set about a small greene head like vnto many of the former Crowfeete which bringeth small blacke seede the roote is made of many thicke short white strings which seeme to be grumous or kernelly rootes but that they are somewhat smaller and longer then any other of that kinde 13. Ranunculus Creticus latifolius The broad leafed Candy Crowfoot This Crowfoote of Candy hath the greatest and broadest leaues of all the sorts of Crowfeete being almost round and without any great diuisions but onely a few notches about the edges here and there as large or larger sometimes then the palme of a mans hand among which riseth vp the stalke not very high when it doth first flower but afterwards as the other flowers doe open themselues the stalke groweth to be a foote and a halfe high or thereabouts hauing some leaues on it deeply cut in or diuided and bearing many faire yellow flowers consisting of fiue leaues a peece being somewhat whitish in the middle when the flower hath stood blowne a little time the roote is composed of a number of small kernelly knobs or long graines set thicke together This flowreth very early being vsually in flower before the end of March and oftentimes about the middle thereof 14. Ranunculus Creticus albus The white Candy Crowfoote The leaues of this Crowfoote are very like vnto the leaues of the red Crowfoote of Tripoli or Asia hereafter set downe being somewhat broad and indented about the edges some of the leaues being also cut in or gashed thereby making
they cleaue to the rocke it selfe that hath but a crust of earth on it to nourish them They will abide in Gardens reasonable well if they be planted in shadowie places and not in the sun 1 Sanicula guttata Spotted Sanicle 2 Cotyledon altera Matthioli Spotted Nauelwort 3 Cotyledon altera minor Small dented Nauelwort 4 Cotyledon altera flore rubro stellato Small red flowred Nauelwort 5 Sedum serratum flore rubente maculato The Princes Feather 6 Soldanella Aspina Blew Moonwort The Time They flower for the most part in the end of May and sometimes sooner or later as the yeare falleth out The Names The first is called by Matthiolus Cotyledon altera Dioscoridis and Vmbilicus alter but it is not the true Cotyledon altera of Dioscorides for Sedum vulgare maius Our common Houseleeke by the consent of the best moderne Writers is the true Cotyledon altera of Dioscorides or Vmbilicus Veneris alter I hold it rather to bee a kinde of small Houseleeke as the other two likewise are The second is called by some Aizoum or Sedum minus serratum The third hath his name in his title Wee doe call them Nauelworts in English rather then Houseleekes Euphoniae gratia The last may be called dented Sengreene with reddish spotted flowers but some of our English Gentlewomen haue called it The Princes Feather which although it be but a by-name may well serue for this plant to distinguish it and whereby to be knowne The Vertues They are all held to be cold and moist like vnto other Houseleekes CHAP. XXXIII Soldanella Alpina Mountaine Soldanella or blew Moonewort THis beautifull plant hath many round and hard leaues set vpon long footestalkes a little vneuenly cut about the edges greene on the vpperside and of a grayish greene vnderneath and sometime reddish like the leaues of Sowbread which because they doe somewhat resemble the leaues of Soldanella marina which is the Sea Bindweede tooke the name thereof the stalkes are slender small round and reddish about a span high bearing foure or fiue flowers at the toppe euery one hanging downe their heads like vnto a Bell flower consisting but of one leafe as most of the Bindweeds doe plated into fiue folds each of them ending in a long point which maketh the flower seem to haue fiue leaues each whereof is deeply cut in on the edges and hauing a round greene head in the middle with a pricke or pointell at the end thereof the flower is of a faire blew colour sometimes deeper or paler or white as nature listeth without any smell at all the middle head after the flower is fallen riseth to be a long round pod bearing that pricke it had at the end thereof wherein is contained small greenish seede the roote hath many fibres shooting from a long round head or roote The Place This groweth on the Alpes which are couered with snow the greatest part of the yeare and will hardly abide transplanting The Time In the naturall places it flowreth not vntill the Summer moneths Iune Iuly and August after the snow is melted from the Hils but being brought into Gardens it flowreth in the beginning of Aprill or thereabouts The Names This plant by reason of the likenesse of leaues with Soldanella as was before said is called by many Soldanella but yet is no Bindweede and therefore I rather call it in English a Mountaine Soldanella then as Gerrard doth Mountaine Bindweede It is likewise called by some Lunaria minor caerulea The lesser blew Lunary or Moonwort and so I would rather haue it called The Vertues They that imposed the name of Lunaria vpon this plant seeme to referre it to the wound or consolidating herbes but because I haue no further relation or experience I can say no more thereof vntill tryall hath taught it Some also from the name Soldanella which is giuen it because of the likenesse of the leaues haue vsed it to help the Dropsie for which the Sea plant is thought to be effectuall CHAP. XXXIIII Auricula Vrsi Beares eares THere are so many sundry and seuerall sorts of Beares eares the variety consisting as well in the differing colours of the flowers as the forme and colour of the leaues that I shall not comprehend and set downe vnto you all the diuersities by many that are risen vp to those that haue beene industrious in the sowing of the seedes of the seuerall sorts of them yet if you accept of these that I doe here offer vnto you I shall giue you the knowledge of others as time occasion and the view of them shall enable me And because they are without all question kinds of Cowslips I haue set them downe before them in the first place as being of more beautie and greater respect or at the least of more rarity vnto vs. To dispose them therefore into order I shall ranke them vnder three principall colours that is to say Red or Purple White and Yellow and shew you the varieties of each of them for so many as are come to my knowledge apart by themselues and not promiscuously as many others haue done 1. Auricula Vrsi flore purpureo Purple Beares eare or The Murrey Cowslip This purple Beares eare or Cowslip hath many greene leaues somewhat long and smooth narrow from the bottome of the leafe to the middle and broad from thence to the end being round pointed and somewhat snipt or endented about the edges in the middle of these leaues and sometimes at the sides also doe spring round greene stalkes foure or fiue fingers high bearing at the top many flowers the buds whereof before they are blowne are of a very deepe purple colour and being open are of a bright but deepe purple vsually called a Murrey colour consisting of fiue leaues a peece cut in at the end as it were into two with a whitish ring or circle at the bottome of each flower standing in small greene cups wherein after the flowers are fallen are contained very small heads not rising to the height of the cups bearing a small pricke or pointell at the toppe of them wherein is little blackish seede the roote hath many whitish strings fastened to the maine long roote which is very like vnto a Primrose or Cowslip roote as it is in all other parts besides 2. Auricula Vrsi purpurea absque orbe The murrey Cowslip without eyes There is another of this kinde whose leafe is somewhat lesse as the flower is also but of the same colour and sometimes somewhat redder tending to a Scarlet without any circle at the bottome of the flower in no other things differing from it 3. Auricula Vrsi minor flore tannetto Tawney Beares eares The leaues of this kinde haue a greater shew of mealinesse to be seene in them and not much smaller then the former yet snipt or endented about the ends like vnto them the flowers are many of the same fashion with the former but smaller each whereof is of as deepe a murrey
or Foolish Cowslip in some places is called by Country people Iacke an Apes on horse-backe which is an vsuall name with them giuen to many other plants as Daisies Marigolds c. if they be strange or fantasticall differing in the forme from the ordinary kinde of the single ones The smallest are vsually called through all the North Country Birds eyen because of the small yellow circle in the bottomes of the flowers resembling the eye of a bird The Vertues Primroses and Cowslips are in a manner wholly vsed in Cephalicall diseases either among other herbes or flowers or of themselues alone to ease paines in the head and is accounted next vnto Betony the best for that purpose Experience likewise hath shewed that they are profitable both for the Palsie and paines of the ioynts euen as the Beares eares are which hath caused the names of Arthritica Paralysis and Paralytica to bee giuen them The iuice of the flowers is commended to cleanse the spots or marks of the face whereof some Gentlewomen haue found good experience CHAP. XXXVI Pulmonaria Lungwort or Cowslips of Ierusalem ALthough these plants are generally more vsed as Pot-herbes for the Kitchen then as flowers for delight yet because they are both called Cowslips and are of like forme but of much lesse beauty I haue ioyned them next vnto them in a distinct Chapter by themselues and so may passe at this time 1. Pulmonaria maculosa Common spotted Cowslips of Ierusalem The Cowslip of Ierusalem hath many rough large and round leaues but pointed at the ends standing vpon long foot stalkes spotted with many round white spots on the vppersides of the sad greene or browne leaues and of a grayer greene vnderneath among the leaues spring vp diuers browne stalkes a foote high bearing many flowers at the toppe very neare resembling the flowers of Cowslips being of a purple or reddish colour while they are buds and of a darke blewish colour when they are blowne standing in brownish greene huskes and sometimes it hath beene found with white flowers when the flowers are past there come vp small round heads containing blacke seed the roote is composed of many long and thicke blacke strings 2. Pulmonaria altera non maculosa Vnspotted Cowslips of Ierusalem The leaues of this other kinde are not much vnlike the former being rough as they are but smaller of a fairer greene colour aboue and of a whiter greene vnderneath without any spots at all vpon the leaues the flowers also are like the former and of the same colour but a little more branched vpon the stalkes then the former the rootes also are blacke like vnto them 3. Pulmonaria angustifolia Narrow leafed Cowslips of Ierusalem The leaues hereof are somewhat longer but not so broad and spotted with whitish spots also as the former the stalke hereof is set with the like long hairy leaues but smaller being a foote high or better bearing at the toppe many flowers standing in huskes like the first being somewhat reddish in the bud and of a darke purplish blew colour when they are blowne open the seede is like the former all of them doe well resemble Buglosse and Comfrey in most parts except the roote which is not like them but stringie like vnto Cowslips yet blacke The Place The Cowslips of Ierusalem grow naturally in the Woods of Germany in diuers places and the first kinde in England also found out by Iohn Goodier a great searcher and louer of plants dwelling at Maple-durham in Hampshire The Time They flower for the most part very early that is in the beginning of Aprill The Names They are generally called in Latine Pulmonaria and maculosa or non maculosa is added for distinctions sake Of some it is called Symphitum maculosum that is spotted Comfrey In English it is diuersly called as spotted Cowslips of Ierusalem Sage of Ierusalem Sage of Bethlehem Lungwort and spotted Comfrey and it might bee as fitly called spotted Buglosse whereunto it is as like as vnto Comfrey as I said before The Vertues It is much commended of some to bee singular good for vlcered lungs that are full of rotten matter As also for them that spit bloud being boyled and drunke It is of greatest vse for the pot being generally held to be good both for the lungs and the heart CHAP. XXXVII 1. Buglossum Borrago Buglosse and Borage ALthough Borage and Buglosse might as fitly haue been placed I confesse in the Kitchen Garden in regard they are wholly in a manner spent for Physicall properties or for the Pot yet because anciently they haue been entertained into Gardens of pleasure their flowers hauing been in some respect in that they haue alwaies been enterposed among the flowers of womens needle-worke I am more willing to giue them place here then thrust them into obscurity and take such of their tribe with them also as may fit for this place either for beauty or rarity The Garden Buglosse and Borage are so well knowne vnto all that I shall I doubt but spend time in waste to describe them yet not vsing to passe ouer any thing I name and appropriate to this Garden so sleightly they are thus to bee knowne Buglosse hath many long narrow hairy or rough sad greene leaues among which rise vp two or three very high stalks branched at the top whereon stand many blew flowers consisting of fiue small round pointed leaues with a small pointell in the middle which are very smooth shining and of a reddish purple while they are buds and not blowne open which being fallen there groweth in the greene huske wherein the flower stood three or foure roundish blacke seedes hauing that thread or pointell standing still in the middle of them the roote is blacke without and whitish within long thicke and full of slimie iuice as the leaues are also and perisheth not euery yeare as the roote of Borage doth 2. Borrago Borage Borage hath broader shorter greener and rougher leaues then Buglosse the stalkes hereof are not so high but branched into many parts whereon stand larger flowers and more pointed at the end then Buglosse and of a paler blew colour for the most part yet sometimes the flowers are reddish and sometimes pure white each of the flowers consisting of fiue leaues standing in a round hairy whitish huske diuided into fiue parts and haue a small vmbone of fiue blackish threads in the middle standing out pointed at the end and broad at the bottome the seed is like the other the root is thicker and shorter then the roote of Buglosse somewhat blackish without also and whitish within and perisheth after seede time but riseth of it owne seede fallen and springeth in the beginning of the yeare 3. Borrago semper virens Euerliuing Borage Euerliuing Borage hath many broad greene leaues and somewhat rough more resembling Comfrey then Borage yet not so large as either the stalkes are not so high as Borage and haue many small blew flowers on them very
smoother and thicker and not at all indented or cut in on the edges the flowers are like the former but of a sullen pale colour turning themselues and seldome lying plaine open hauing many purple veines and streakes running through the leaues of the flowers of little or no sent in the day time but of a very sweete sent in the euening and morning the seedes are alike also but a little browner 1 Leucoium Melancholicum Sullen Stocke-Gilloflowers 2 Leucoium sativum flore pleno Double Stocke-Gilloflowers 3 Leucoium sativum flore pleno vario Party coloured Stocke-Gilloflowers 4 Leucoium marinum Syriacum Leuant Stocke-Gilloflowers 5 Hesperis vulgaris Dames Violets or Winter Gilloflowers 6 Lysimachia lutea siliquosa Virginiana The tree Primrose of Virginia 7 Viola Lunaris siue Bolbonach The white Sattin flower 3. Lysimachia lutea siliquosa Virgiana The tree Primrose of Virginia Vnto what tribe or kindred I might referre this plant I haue stood long in suspence in regard I make no mention of any other Lysimachia in this work lest therfore it should lose all place let me ranke it here next vnto the Dames Violets although I confesse it hath little affinity with them The first yeare of the sowing the seede it abideth without any stalke or flowers lying vpon the ground with diuers long and narrow pale greene leaues spread oftentimes round almost like a Rose the largest leaues being outermost and very small in the middle about May the next yeare the stalke riseth which will be in Summer of the height of a man and of a strong bigge size almost to a mans thumbe round from the bottome to the middle where it groweth crested vp to the toppe into as many parts as there are branches of flowers euery one hauing a small leafe at the foote thereof the flowers stand in order one aboue another round about the tops of the stalks euery one vpon a short foot-stalke consisting of foure pale yellow leaues smelling somewhat like vnto a Primrose as the colour is also which hath caused the name and standing in a greene huske which parteth it selfe at the toppe into foure parts or leaues and turne themselues downewards lying close to the stalke the flower hath some chiues in the middle which being past there come in their places long and cornered pods sharpe pointed at the vpper end and round belowe opening at the toppe when it is ripe into fiue parts wherein is contained small brownish seed the roote is somewhat great at the head and wooddy and branched forth diuersly which perisheth after it hath borne seede The Place The two first grow for the most part on Hils and in Woods but with vs in Gardens onely The last as may be well vnderstood by the title came out of Virginia The Time They flower in May Iune and Iuly The Names The name of Hesperis is imposed by most Herbarists vpon the two first plants although it is not certainly knowne to be the same that Theophrastus doth make mention of in his sixth Booke and twenty fiue Chapter de causis plantarum but because this hath the like effects to smell best in the euening it is as I said imposed vpon it It is also called Viola Marina Matronalis Hyemalis Damascena and Muschatella In English Dames Violets Queens Gilloflowers and Winter Gilloflowers The last hath his Latine name in the title as is best agreeing with it and for the English although it be too foolish I confesse yet it may passe for this time till a fitter be giuen vnlesse you please to follow the Latine and call it Virginia Loose-strife The Vertues I neuer knew any among vs to vse these kindes of Violets in Physicke although by reason of the sharpe biting taste Dodonaeus accounteth the ordinary sort to be a kinde of Rocket and saith it prouoketh sweating and vrine and others affirme it to cut digest and cleanse tough flegme The Virginian hath not beene vsed by any that I know either inwardly or outwardly CHAP. XLII Viola Lunaris siue Bolbonach The Sattin flower VNto the kindes of Stocke-Gilloflowers I thinke fittest to adioyne these kindes of Sattin-flowers whereof there are two sorts one frequent enough in all our Countrie the other is not so common 1. Viola Lunaris vulgaris The common white Sattin flower The first of those Sattin flowers which is the most common hath his leaues broad belowe and pointed at the end snipt about the edges and of a darke greene colour the stalkes are round and hard two foot high or higher diuided into many branches set with the like leaues but smaller the tops of the branches are beset with many purplish flowers like vnto Dames Violets or Stocke-Gilloflowers but larger being of little sent after the flowers are past there come in their places round flat thin cods of a darke colour on the outside but hauing a thinne middle skinne that is white and cleare shining like vnto very pure white Sattin it selfe whereon lye flat and round brownish seede somewhat thicke and great the rootes perish when they haue giuen their seede and are somewhat round long and thicke resembling the rootes of Lilium non bulbosum or Day Lilly which are eaten as diuers other rootes are for Sallets both in our owne Country and in many places beside 2. Viola Lunaris altera seu peregrina Long liuing Sattin flower This second kinde hath broader and longer leaues then the former the stalkes also are greener and higher branching into flowers of a paler purple colour almost white consisting of foure leaues in like manner and smelling pretty sweete bearing such like pods but longer and slenderer then they the rootes are composed of many long strings which dye not as the former but abide and shoot out new stalkes euery yeare The Place The first is as is said frequent enough in Gardens and is found wilde in some places of our owne Country as Master Gerard reporteth whereof I neuer could be certainly assured but I haue had it often sent mee among other seedes from Italy and other places The other is not so common in Gardens but found about Watford as he saith also The Time They flower in Aprill or May and sometimes more early The Names It hath diuers names as well in English as in Latine for it is called most vsually Bolbonach and Viola Lunaris Of some Viola latifolia and of others Viola Peregrina and Lunaria Graeca Lunaria maior and Lunaria odorata and is thought to be Thlaspi Crateuae In English White Satten or Satten flower Of some it is called Honesty and Penny-flower The Vertues Some doe vse to eate the young rootes hereof before they runne vp to flower as Rampions are eaten with Vinegar and Oyle but wee know no Physicall vse they haue CHAP. XLIII Linum siluestre Linaria Wilde Flaxe and Tode Flaxe ALthough neither the manured Line or Flaxe is a plant fit for our Garden nor many of the wilde sorts yet there are some whose pleasant and delightfull aspect doth entertaine the
very thicke and double flowers that is many horned or crooked hollow leaues set together and are not so large as the leaues of the single flowers The variety of colours in this double kinde is as plentifull or rather more then in the single for of these there is party coloured blew and white and spotted very variably which are not in the single kinde and also a very deepe red very thicke and double but a smaller flower and lesse plentifull in bearing then many of the other double sorts These double kindes doe giue as good seede as the single kindes doe which is not obserued in many other plants 3. Aquilegia inuersis corniculis Double inuerted Colombines These Colombines are not to be distinguished eyther in roote leaues or seed from the former the flowers onely make the difference which are as double as the former but that the heeles or hornes of these are turned inward and stand out in the middle of the flowers together there is not that plentifull variety of colours in this kinde as there is in the former for I neuer saw aboue three or foure seuerall colours in this kinde that is white purplish reddish and a dun or darke ouerworne purplish colour These double flowers doe likewise turne into pods bearing seede continuing his kind and not varying into the former 4. Aquilegia Rosea Rose Colombines The leaues and other parts of this kinde of Colombine differ little or nothing from the former the diuersitie consisteth likewise in the flowers which although they stand in the same manner seuerally vpon their small stalkes somewhat more sparingly then the former doe yet they haue no heeles or hornes eyther inward or outward or very seldome but stand sometimes but with eight or tenne smooth small plaine leaues set in order one by one in a compasse in a double rowe and sometimes with foure or fiue rowes of them euery one directly before the other like vnto a small thick double Rose layd open or a spread Marigold yet sometimes it happeneth that some of these flowers will haue two or three of the first rowes of leaues without any heele and the rest that are inward with each of them a peece of a small horne at them as the former haue the colours of these flowers are almost as variable and as variably mixed as the former double kindes This likewise giueth seede preseruing his owne kinde for the most part 5. Aquilegia degener Degenerate Colombines This kinde of Colombine might seeme to some to bee but a casuall degeneration and no true naturall kinde happening by some cause of transplanting or otherwise by the art of man but I haue not so found it in that it keepeth and holdeth his own proper forme which is like vnto the double Rose Colombine but that the outermost row of leaues are larger then any of the rest inwardes and is of a greenish or else of a purplish greene colour and is not altogether so apt to giue good seed like the former The Place The single kindes haue beene often found in some of the wooddy mountaines of Germany as Clusius saith but the double kindes are chiefly cherished in gardens The Time They flower not vntill May and abide not for the most part when Iune is past and in the meane time perfecteth their seede The Names Costaeus doth call this plant Pothos of Theophrastus which Gaza translateth Desiderium Dalechampius vpon Athenaeus calleth it Diosanthos or Iouis flos of Theophrastus who in his sixth Booke and seuenth Chapter reckoneth them both that is Diosanthos and Pathos to be Summer flowers but seuerally Dodonaeus Leoherba and Gesner Leontostomium Fabius Columna in his Phytobasanos vnto whom Clusius giueth the greatest approbation referreth it to the Isopyrum of Dioscorides All later Writers doe generally call it eyther Aquileia Aquilina or Aquilegia and we in English generally I thinke through the whole Countrey Colombines Some doe call the Aquilegia rosea Aquilegia stellata The starre Colombine because the leaues of the flowers doe stand so directly one by another besides the doublenesse that they somewhat represent eyther a Rose or a Starre and thereupon they giue it the name eyther of a Starre or Rose The Vertues Some in Spaine as Camerarius saith vse to eate a peece of the roote hereof 1 Aquilegia simplex The single Colombine 2 Aquilegia flore multiplici The double Colombine 3 Aquilegia versicolor The party coloured Colombine 4 Aquilegia inuersis corniculis The double inuerted Colombine 5 Aquilegia Rosea siue Stellata The Rose or the Starre Colombine 6 Thalictrum Hispanicum album White Spanish tufts fasting many dayes together to helpe them that are troubled with the stone in the kidneyes Others vse the decoction of both herbe and roote in wine with a little Ambargrise against those kinds of swounings which the Greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The seede is vsed for the iaundise and other obctructions of the liuer Clusius writeth from the experience of Franciscus Rapard a chiefe Physician of Bruges in Flanders that the seede beaten and drunke is effectuall to women in trauell of childe to procure a speedy deliuerie and aduiseth a second draught thereof should be taken if the first succeede not sufficiently CHAP. XLVII Thalictrum Hispanicum Spanish Tufts or Tufted Colombines FRom among the diuersities of this plant I haue selected out two sorts for this my garden as hauing more beautie then all the rest leauing the other to be entreated of where all in generall may be included I haue in this place inserted them for the likenesse of the leaues only being in no other part correspondent and in a Chapter by themselues as it is most fit Thalictrum Hispanicum album White Spanish tufted Colombines These plants haue both one forme in roote leafe and flower and therefore neede but one description The leaues are both for colour and forme so like vnto Colombines leaues although lesser and darker yet more spread and on larger stalkes that they may easily deceiue one that doth not marke them aduisedly for the leaues are much more diuided and in smaller parts and not so round at the ends the stalkes are round strong and three foote high at the least branching out into two or three parts with leaues at the seuerall ioynts of them at the toppes whereof stand many flowers which are nothing but a number of threads made like vnto a small round tuft breaking out of a white skinne or leafe which incloseth them and being vnblowne shew like vnto little buttons the colour of these threds or tufts in this are whitish with yellow tips on them and somewhat purplish at the bottome hauing a strong but no good sent and abiding in their beautie especially if they grow in the shade and not too hot in the sun a great while and then fall away like short downe or threds the seed vessels are three square containing small long and round seede the rootes are many long yellow stringes which endure
likewise vpon their seuerall small stalkes wherein is contained round white seede but these heads rise not from where the flowers grew as in all other plants that I know but apart by themselues and being sowne will produce others like vnto it selfe whereby there may be made a more speedy encrease to plant a Garden as I haue done or any other place then by slipping as is the vsuall manner the rootes spread both deepe and wide taking strong hold in the ground Flore albo Of this kinde there is another that beareth white flowers not differing in smell or any thing else from the former Flore obsoleto And also another that beareth flowers of a dead or sad reddish colour in all other things alike sauing that this hath not altogether so good a sent as the other 2. Viola Martia flore multiplici Double March Violets There is no difference betweene this Violet and the former in any other thing then in the doublenesse of the flowers which haue so many leaues set and thrust together that they are like vnto hard buttons There is of this double kinde both white and purple as in the single but the white sort is seldome so thicke and double as the purple but of the red colour to be double I neuer heard 3. Viola flammea siue tricolor Harts eases or Pansies The Harts ease hath his leaues longer and more endented or cut in on the edges then the Violet hath and somewhat round withall the stalkes are vpright yet weake and ready to fall downe and lye vpon the ground set here and there with the like leaues from whence come forth the flowers of little or no sent at all made like vnto a Violet yet more open and with larger leaues but so variably mixed with blew or purple white and yellow that it is hard to set downe all the varieties For some flowers will be more white and but some spots of purple or blew in the two vpper leaues and the lower leaues with some stripes of yellow in the middle others will haue more purple in them then any other colour both in the vpper and lower leaues the side leaues blew and the middle yellow and others white and blew with yellow stripes as nature listeth to distribute their colours the seede is small whitish and round contained in small round heads the roote perisheth euery yeare and raiseth it selfe vp plentifully by it owne sowing if it be suffered 4. Viola tricolor flore duplici Double Harts ease We haue in our Gardens another sort that beareth flowers with more leaues then the former making it seeme to be twice double and that onely in Autumne for the first flowers are single that come in Summer This is of that sort that beareth purple flowers And it is to be obserued that the seed of this kinde will not all bring double flowers but only some if the ground be fit and liking so that if you haue once had of this double kinde you shall seldome misse to haue double flowers againe euery yeare of it owne growing or sowing 5. Viola flammea luteae maxima The great yellow Pansie There is one other kinde of Harts ease that decketh vp our Gardens not to be forgotten whose leaues and flowers are like the former but more plentifull in stalkes and branches and better abideth our Winters the flowers are larger then any of the former of a faire pale yellow colour with some yellower stripes now and then about the middle for it is sometimes without any stripes and also of a little deeper yellow colour this is to bee encreased by slips which will soone comprehend in a moist or moistened ground for that I neuer could obserue that it bore seede The Place These plants were first wilde and by manuring brought to be both fairer in colour and peraduenture of a better sent then when they grew wilde The Time The Violets flower in March and sometimes earlier and if the yeare be temperate and milde in Autumne againe The double Violets as they are later before they flower then the single so they hold their flowers longer The Harts ease flowreth seldome vntill May but then some will abide to flower vntill the end of Autumne almost especially if the frosts be not early The Names The Violet is called Viola nigra purpurea and Martia In English Violets March Violets and purple Violets The Harts ease is called Viola flammea Viola tricolor Viola multicolor and of some Iacea Flos trinitatis and Herba clauellata In English Harts ease and Pansies of the French name Pensees Some giue it foolish names as Loue in idlenesse Cull mee to you and Three faces in a hood The great yellow Harts ease is so called because it is like in forme and is the greatest of all other although it haue not that diuersity of colours in it that the other haue The Vertues The properties of Violets are sufficiently knowne to all to coole and moisten I shall forbeare to recite the many vertues that may be set downe and onely let you know that they haue in them an opening or purging quality being taken either fresh and greene or dryed and made into powder especially the flowers the dryed leaues will doe the like but in greater quantity Costaeus in his booke of the nature of all plants saith that the distilled water of Harts ease is commended in the French disease to be profitable being taken for nine dayes or more and sweating vpon it which how true it is I know not and wish some better experience were made of it before we put any great confidence in that assertion CHAP. LIII Epimedium Barrenwort THis pretty plant riseth vp out of the ground with vpright hard round small stalkes a foote and a halfe high or not two foote high at the highest diuided into three branches for the most part each branch whereof is againe diuided for the most part into three other branches and each of them beare three leaues seldome either more or lesse set together yet each vpon his owne foote-stalke each leafe being broad round and pointed at the end somewhat hard or dry in feeling hayrie or as it were prickly about the edges but very tenderly without harme of a light greene colour on the vpperside and a little whiter vnderneath from the middle of the stemme or stalke of leaues doth likewise come forth another long stalke not much higher then those with the leaues on them diuided into other branches each whereof hath likewise three flowers each vpon his owne footestalke consisting of eight small leaues a peece yet seeming to be but of foure leaus spread or layd open flat for that the foure vppermost which are the smaller and being yellow doe lye so close on the foure vndermost which are a little broader and red that they shew as if they were yellow flowers with red edges hauing yellow thredstipt with greene standing in the middle of the flowers the vnderside of the lower leaues are of
Perüuianum siue Flos Solis The golden flower of Peru or the Flower of the Sunne This goodly and stately plant wherewith euery one is now adayes familiar being of many sorts both higher and lower with one stalke without branches or with many branches with a blacke or with a white seede yet differing not in forme of leaues or flowers one from another but in the greatnesse or smalnesse riseth vp at the first like vnto a Pompion with two leaues and after two or foure more leaues are come forth it riseth vp into a great stalke bearing the leaues on it at seuerall distances on all sides thereof one aboue another vnto the very toppe being sometimes and in some places seuen eight or ten foote high which leaues standing out from the stemme or stalke vpon their seuerall great ribbed foote-stalkes are very large broad belowe and pointed at the end round hard rough of a sad greene colour and bending downewards at the topped of the stalke standeth one great large and broad flower bowing downe the head vnto the Sunne and breaking forth from a great head made of scaly greene leaues like vnto a great single Marigold hauing a border of manie long yellow leaues set about a great round yellow thrumme as it were in the middle which are very like vnto short heads of flowers vnder euery one whereof there is a seede larger then any seede of the Thistles yet somewhat like and lesser and rounder then any Gourd seede set in so close and curious a manner that when the seede is taken out the head with the hollow places or cels thereof seemeth very like vnto an hony combe which seede is in some plants very blacke in the hotter countries or very white and great or large but with vs is neither so large blacke or white but sometimes blackish or grayish Some sort riseth not vp halfe the height that others doe and some againe beare but one stemme or stalke with a flower at the toppe thereof and others two or three or more small branches with euery one his flower at the end and some so full of branches from the very ground almost that I haue accounted threescore branches round about the middle stalke of one plant the lowest neare two yards long others aboue them a yard and a halfe or a yard long with euery one his flower thereon but all smaller then those that beare but one or two flowers and lesser also for the most part then the flower on the middle stalke it selfe The whole plant and euery part thereof aboue ground hath a strong resinous sent of Turpentine and the heads and middle parts of the flowers doe oftentimes and sometimes the ioynts of the stalke where the leaues stand sweat out a most fine thin cleare Rossin or Turpentine but in small quantity and as it were in drops in the heate and dry time of the year so like both in colour smell and taste vnto cleare Venice Turpentine that it cannot be knowne from it the roote is strongly fastened in the ground by some greater roots branching out and a number of small strings which growe not deepe but keepe vnder the vpper crust of the earth and desireth much moisture yet dyeth euery yeare with the first frosts and must be new sowne in the beginning of the Spring The Place Their places are set downe in their titles the one to come out of Candy the other out of Peru a Prouince in the West Indies The Time The first flowreth in Iune the other later as not vntill August and sometimes so late that the early frosts taking it neuer suffer it to come to ripeness The Names The first hath his name in his title The second besides the names set downe is called of some Planta maxima Flos Maximus Sol Indianus but the most vsuall with vs is Flos Solis In English The Sunne Flower or Flower of the Sunne The Vertues There is no vse of either in Physicke with vs but that sometimes the heads of the Sunne Flower are dressed and eaten as Hartichokes are and are accounted of some to be good meate but they are too strong for my taste CHAP. LXIII Calendula Marigolds SOme haue reckoned vp many sorts of Marigolds I had rather make but two the single and the double for doubtlesse those that be most double rise from the best seede which are the middlemost of the great double and some will be lesse double whose seede is greater then the rest according to the ground where it groweth as also those that be of a paler colour doe come of the seed of the yellower sort 1. Calendula maxima The great Garden Marigold The Garden Marigold hath round greene stalkes branching out from the ground into many parts whereon are set long flat greene leaues broader and rounder at the 1 Chrysanthemum Creticum Corne Marigolds of Candy 2 Flos Solis The Flower of the Sunne 3 Calendula Marigolds 4 Aâ—ter Atticus siue Italorum The purple Marigold 5 Pilosâ—lla maior Golden Mouse-eare 6 Scorsonera Hispanica Spanish Vipers grasse 7 Tragopogon Goates beard or goe to bed at noone point then any where else and smaller also at the setting to of the stalke where it compasseth it about the flowers are sometimes very thicke and double breaking out of a scaly clammy greene head composed of many rowes of leaues set so close together one within another that no middle thrume can bee seene and sometimes lesse double hauing a small browne spot of a thrume in the middle and sometimes but of two or three rowes of leaues with a large browne thrume in the middle euery one whereof is somewhat broader at the point and nicked into two or three corners of an excellent faire deepe gold yellow colour in some and paler in others and of a pretty strong and resinous sweete sent after the flowers are past there succeede heads of crooked seede turning inward the outermost biggest and the innermost least the roote is white and spreadeth in the ground and in some places will abide after the seeding but for the most part perisheth and riseth againe of his owne feede Sometimes this Marigold doth degenerate and beareth many small flowers vpon short stalkes compassing the middle flower but this happeneth but seldome and therefore accounted but lusus naturae a play of nature which she worketh in diuers other plants besides 2. Calendula simplex The single Marigold There is no difference betweene this and the former but that the flowers are single consisting of one rowe of leaues of the same colour eyther paler or deeper yellow standing about a great browne thrumme in the middle the seed likewise is alike but for the most part greater then in the double kindes The Place Our Gardens are the chiefe places for the double flowers to grow in for we know not of any other naturall place but the single kinde hath beene found wilde in Spaine from whence I received seede gathered by Guillaume Boel in his time
of many long and narrow leaues snipt about the edges standing by couples one against another with an odde one at the end of a darke or full greene colour the stalke riseth to be three or foure foote high and diuideth it selfe from the middle thereof into many branches set with such like leaues to the toppes of them euery one bearing one great double flower of a gold yellow colour aboue and paler vnderneath yet some are of a pale yellow and some betweene both and all these rising from one and the same seede the flower before it be blowne open hath all the leaues hollow but when it is full blowne open it spreadeth it selfe larger then any Prouince Rose or equall vnto it at the least if it be in good earth and riseth out of a long greene huske striped or furrowed wherein after the flower is past which standeth in his full beauty a moneth and oftentimes more and being gathered may be preserued in his full beauty for two moneths after if it be set in water standeth the seede set thicke and close together vpright which is blacke somewhat flat and long the roote is full of small strings whereby it strongly comprehendeth in the ground the flower of this as well as the single is of the very smell of new waxe or of an honie combe and not of that poisonfull sent of the smaller kindes 2. Flos Africanus maior simplex The great single French Marigold This single Marigold is in all things so like vnto the former that it is hard to discerne it from the double but by the flowers onely the stalke will be browner then the double and to my best obseruation hath and doth euery yeare rise from the seede of the double flower so that when they are in flower you may see the difference or not much before when they are in bud this single flower euer appearing with thrums in the middle and the leaues which are the border or pale standing about them shewing hollow or fistulous which after lay themselues flat and open and the double flower appearing with all his leaues folded close together without any thrum at all and are of a deeper or paler colour as in the double 3. Flos Africanus fistuloso flore simplex multiplex Single and double French Marigolds with hollow leafed flowers As the former two greatest sorts haue risen from the seede of one and the same I meane the pod of double flowers so doe these also not differing from it in any thing but that they are lower and haue smaller greene leaues and that the flower also being smaller hath euery leafe abiding hollow like vnto an hollow pipe broad open at the mouth and is of as deepe a yellow colour for the most part as the deepest of the former yet sometimes pale also 4. Flos Africanus minor multiplex The lesser double French Marigold The lesser double French Marigold hath his leaues in all things like vnto the former but somewhat lesser which are set vpon round browne stalkes not so stiffe or vpright but bowing and bending diuers wayes and sometimes leaning or lying vpon the ground the stalkes are branched out diuersly whereon are set very faire double flowers like the former and in the like greene huskes but smaller and in some the outermost leaues will be larger then any of the rest and of a deeper Orenge colour almost crimson the innermost being of a deepe gold yellow colour tending to crimson the whole flower is smaller and of a stronger and more vnpleasant sauour so that but for the beautifull colour and doublenesse of the flower pleasant to the eye and not to any other sense this kinde would finde roome in few Gardens the rootes and seedes are like the former but lesser 5. Flos Africanus minor simplex The small single French Marigold This single kinde doth follow after the last in all manner of proportion both of stalkes leaues seedes and rootes the flowers onely of this are single hauing fiue or six broad leaues of a deepe yellow crimson colour with deepe yellow thrummes in the middle and of as strong a stinking sent or more then the last The Place They growe naturally in Africa and especially in the parts about Tunis and where old Carthage stood from whence long agoe they were brought into Europe where they are onely kept in Gardens being sowne for the most part euery yeare vnlesse in some milde Winters The last single and double kindes as being more hardy haue sometimes endured but that kinde with hollow leafed flowers as Fabius Columna setteth it downe is accounted to come from Mexico in America The Time They flower not vntill the end of Summer especially the greater kindes but the lesser if they abide all the Winter doe flower more early The Names They haue been diuersly named by diuers men Some calling them Caryophyllus Indicus that is Indian Gilloflowers and Tanacetum Perüvianum Tansie of Peru as if it grew in Peru a Prouince of America and Flos Indicus as a flower of the Indies but it hath not beene knowne to haue beene brought from thence Others would haue it to be Othonna of Plinie and others some to be Lycopersicum of Galen It is called and that more truely Flos Tunetensis Flos Africanus and Caltha Africana that is the flower of Tunis the flower of Africa the Marigold of Africa and peraduenture Pedna Paenorum We in English most vsually call them French Marigolds with their seuerall distinctions of greater or smaller double or single To that with hollow leafed flowers Fabius Columna giueth the name of Fistiluso flore and I so continue it 1 Flos Africanus maximus multiplex The greatest double French Marigold 2 Flos Africanus maior multiplex The greater double French Marigold 3 Flos Africanus maximus simplex The greatest single French Marigold 4 Flos Africanus multiplex fistulosus The doule hollow French Marigold 5 Flos Africanus simplex fistulosus The single hollow French Marigold 6 Flos Africanus minor multiplex The smaller double French Marigold 7 Flos Africanus minor multiplex alter Another sort of the leâ—â—er double French Marigold 8 Flos Africanus minor simplex The lesser single French Marigold The Vertues We know no vse they haue in Physicke but are cherished in Gardens for their beautifull flowers sake CHAP. LXIX Caryophyllus hortensis Carnations and Gilloflowers TO auoide confusion I must diuide Gilloflowers from Pinkes and intreate of them in seuerall Chapters Of those that are called Carnations or Gilloflowers as of the greater kinde in this Chapter and of Pinkes as well double as single in the next But the number of them is so great that to giue seuerall descriptions to them all were endlesse at the least needlesse I will therefore set downe onely the descriptions of three for vnto these three may be referred all the other sorts for their fashion and manner of growing and giue you the seuerall names as they are vsually called with vs of
the rest with their variety and mixture of colours in the flowers wherein consisteth a chiefe difference I account those that are called Carnations to be the greatest both for leafe and flower and Gilloflowers for the most part to bee lesser in both and therefore will giue you each description apart and the Orenge tawnie or yellow Gilloflower likewise by it selfe as differing very notably from all the rest 1. Caryophyllus maximus Harwicensis siue Anglicus The great Harwich or old English Carnation I take this goodly great old English Carnation as a president for the description of all the rest of the greatest sorts which for his beauty and statelinesse is worthy of a prime place hauing beene alwayes very hardly preserued in the Winter and therefore not so frequent as the other Carnations or Gilloflowers It riseth vp with a great thicke round stalke diuided into seuerall branches somewhat thickly set with ioynts and at euery ioynt two long greene rather then whitish leaues somewhat broader then Gilloflower leaues turning or winding two or three times round in some other sorts of Carnations they are plaine but bending the points downewards and in some also of a darke reddish greene colour and in others not so darke but rather of a whitish greene colour the flowers stand at the toppes of the stalkes in long great and round greene huskes which are diuided into fiue points out of which rise many long and broad pointed leaues deeply iagged at the ends set in order round and comely making a gallant great double flower of a deepe Carnation colour almost red spotted with many blush spots and strakes some greater and some lesser of an excellent soft sweete sent neither too quicke as many others of these kinds are nor yet too dull and with two whitish crooked threads like hornes in the middle this kinde neuer beareth many flowers but as it is slow in growing so in bearing not to be often handled which sheweth a kinde of statelinesse fit to preserue the opinion of magnificence the roote is branched into diuers great long wooddy rootes with many small fibres annexed vnto them 2. Caryophyllus hortensis flore pleno rubro The red or Cloue Gilloflower The red Cloue Gilloflower which I take as a president for the second sort which are Gilloflowers grow like vnto the Carnations but not so thicke set with ioynts and leaues the stalkes are more the leaues are narrower and whiter for the most part and in some doe as well a little turne the flowers are smaller yet very thicke and double in most and the greene huskes wherein they stand are smaller likewise then the former the ends of the leaues in this flower as in all the rest are dented or iagged yet in some more then in others some also hauing two small white threads crooked at the ends like hornes in the middle of the flower when as diuers other haue none These 1 Caryophyllus maximus rubro varius The great old Carnation or gray Hulo 2 Caryophyllus maior rubro albo varius The white Carnation 3 Caryophyllus albo rubeus The Cambersiâ—â— or the Poole flower 4 Caryophyllus Câ—â—tij striatus The faire made of Kent 5 Caryophyllus Sabaâ—dicus carnâ—â—â— The blush Sauadge 6 Caryophyllus Xeraâ—pelinus The Gredeline Carnation 7 Caryophyllus dictus Grimelo The Grimelo or Prince 8 Caryophyllus albus maior The great white Gilloflower 6 Elegans Hâ—roina Bradshawij Master Bradshâ—wes dainty Lady kindes and especially this that hath a deepe red crimson coloured flower doe endure the cold of our winters and with lesse care is preserued these sorts as well as the former doe very seldome giue any seede as far as I could euer obserue or learne 3. Caryophyllus Silesiacus flore pleno miniato The yellow or Orenge tawny Gilloflower This Gilloflower hath his stalkes next vnto the ground thicker set and with smaller or narrower leaues then the former for the most part the flowers are like vnto the Cloue Gilloflowers and about the same bignesse and doublenesse most vsually yet in some much greater then in others but of a pale yellowish Carnation colour tending to an Orenge with two small white threds crooked at the ends in the middle yet some haue none of a weaker sent then the Cloue Gilloflower this kinde is more apt to beare seede then any other which is small black flat and long and being sowen yeelde wonderfull varieties both of single and double flowers some being of a lighter or deeper colour then the mother plants some with stripes in most of the leaues Others are striped or spotted like a speckled Carnation or Gilloflower in diuers sorts both single and double Some againe are wholly of the same colour like the mother plant and are eyther more or lesse double then it or else are single with one row of leaues like vnto a Pinck and some of these likewise eyther wholly of a crimson red deeper or lighter or variably spotted double or single as a Pinck or blush eyther single or double and but very seldome white yet all of them in their greene leaues little or nothing varying or differing Cariophylli maximi CARNATIONS Caryophyllus maximus dictus Hulo rubro-varius THe gray Hulo hath as large leaues as the former old Carnation and as deepely iagged on the edges it hath a great high stalke whereon stand the flowers of a deepe red colour striped and speckled very close together with a darkish white colour Caryophyllus maximus dictus Hulo ruber non variatus The red Hulo is also a faire great flower of a stamell colour deeply iagged as the former and groweth very comely without any spot at all in it so that it seemeth to bee but a stamell Gilloflower saue that it is much greater Caryophyllus maximus dictus Hulo caeruleo purpureus The blew Hulo is a goodly faire flower being of a faire purplish murrey colour curiously marbled with white but so smally to be discerned that it seemeth only purple it hath so much the Mastrie in it it resembleth the Brassill but that it is much bigger Caryophyllus maximus dictus Grimelo siue Princeps The Grimelo or Prince is a faire flower also as large as any Chrystall or larger being of a faire crimson colour equally for the most part striped with white or rather more white then red thorough euery leafe from the bottome and standeth comely Caryophyllus maximus Incarnadinus albus The white Carnation or Delicate is a goodly delightfull fair flower in his pride and perfection that is when it is both marbled and flaked or striped and speckled with white vpon an incarnate crimson colour beeing a very comely flower but abideth not constant changing oftentimes to haue no flakes or strakes of white but marbled or speckled wholly Caryophyllus maximus Incarnadinus Gallicus The French Carnation is very like vnto the white Carnation but that it hath more specks and fewer stripes or flakes of white in the red which hath the mastrie of the white Caryophyllus maximus Incarnadinus
the head CHAP. LXXIII Scabiosa Scabious THe sorts of Scabious being many yeeld not flowers of beauty or respect fit to bee cherished in this our Garden of delight and therefore I leaue them to the Fields and Woods there to abide I haue onely two or three strangers to bring to your acquaintance which are worthy this place 1. Scabiosa flore albo White flowred Scabious This white Scabious hath many long leaues very much iagged or gasht in on both sides of a meane bignesse being neither so large as many of the field nor so small as any of the small kindes the stalkes rise about a foote and a halfe high or somewhat higher at the tops whereof grow round heads thicke set with flowers like in all points vnto the field Scabious but of a milke white colour 2. Scabiosa rubra Austriaca Red Scabious of Austria This red Scabious hath many leaues lying vpon the ground very like vnto Deuils bit but not so large being shorter and snipt not gashed about the edges of a light greene colour yet there is another of a darker greene colour whose flower is of a deeper red the stalkes haue diuers such leaues on them set by couples at the ioynts as grow belowe and at the tops small heads of flowers each consisting of fiue leaues the biggest flowers standing round about in the outer compasse as is vsuall almost in all the kinds of Scabious or a fine light purple or red colour after the flowers are past come the seede which is somewhat long and round set with certaine haires at the head thereof like vnto a Starre the roote is composed of a number of slender strings fastened at the head 3. Scabiosa rubra Indica Red flowred Indian Scabious This reputed Indian Scabious hath many large faire greene leaues lying on the ground iagged or cut in on both sides to the middle ribbe euery peece whereof is narrower then that at the end which is the broadest among these leaues rise vp sundry slender and weake stalkes yet standing vpright for the most part set with smaller and more iagged leaues at certaine distances two or three at euery ioynt branching forth at the toppe into other smaller branches bearing euery one head of flowers like in forme vnto other Scabiouses but of an excellent deepe red crimson colour and sometimes more pale or delayed of no sent at all after which doe come small roundish seede like vnto the field Scabious the roote is long and round compassed with a great many small strings and perisheth vsually as soone as it hath borne out his flowers and seede otherwise if it doe not flower the first yeare of the sowing if it be carefully defended from the extremity of Winter it will flower the sooner the next yeare as I my selfe haue often found by experience The Place The first is sometimes found wilde in our owne Countrey but it is very geason and hath been sent among other rare seedes from Italy The second was first found and written of by Clusius in Pannonia and Austria where it is very plentifull The third hath been sent both from Spain Italy and is verily thought to grow naturally in both those parts 1 Scabiosa flore albo White flowred Scabious 2 Scabiosa rubra Austriaca Red Scabious of Austria 3 Scabiosa rubra Indica Red flowred Indian Scabious 4 Cyanus vulgaris minor Corn-flower of diuers colours 5 Cyanus â—â—ticus Spanish Corn-flower 6 Cyanus floridus Turcicus The braue Sultans flower 7 Carthamus sativus Spanish Saffron The Time The first and second flower earlier then the last for that it flowreth not vntill September or October vnlesse it be not apt to beare the first yeare as I before said so that many times if none be more forward it perisheth without bearing ripe seede whereby we are oftentimes to seeke new seede from our friends in other parts The Names They haue all one generall name of Scabious distinguished eyther by their flower or place of growing as in their titles yet the last is called of diuers Scabiosa exotica because they thinke the name Indica is not truely imposed vpon it The Vertues Whether these kindes haue any of the vertues of the other wilde kinds I know none haue made any experience and therefore I can say no more of them CHAP. LXXIIII Cyanus Corne flower or blew Bottles VNder the name of Cyanus are comprehended not onely those plants which from the excellent blew colour of their flowerâ— furnishing or rather pestering the Corne fieldes haue peculiarly obtained that name and which doth much vary also in the colour of the flowers as shall be shewed but some other plants also for their neere resemblance but with seuerall distinctions The Cyanus maior Ptarmica Austriaca Ptarmica Imperati and many others which may be adioyned vnto them do more fitly belong to the Garden of Simples whereunto I leaue them and will here only entreate of those that may most please the delight of our Gentle Florists in that I labour and striue to furnish this our garden with the chiefest choyse of natures beauties and delights 1. Cyanus vulgaris diuersorum colorum Corne flower of diuers colours All these sorts of Corne flowers are for the most part alike both in leaues and flowers one vnto another for the forme the difference betweene them consisteth in the varying colour of the flowers For the leaues are long and of a whitish greene colour deeply cut in on the edges in some places somewhat like vnto the leaues of a Scabious the stalkes are two foote high or better beset with such like leaues but smaller and little or nothing slit on the edges the toppes are branched bearing many smal greene scaly heads out of which rise flowers consisting of fiue or sixe or more long and hollow leaues small at the bottome and opening wider and greater at the brims notched or cut in on the edges and standing round about many small threds in the middle the colours of these flowers are diuers and very variable for some are wholly blew or white or blush or of a sad or light purple or of a light or dead red or of an ouerworne purple colour or else mixed of these colours as some the edges white and the rest blew or purple or the edges blew or purple and the rest of the flower white or striped spotted or halfed the one part of one colour and the other of another the threds likewise in the middle varying in many of them for some will haue the middle thrume of a deeper purple then the outer leaues and some haue white or blush leaues the middle thrume being reddish deeper or paler After the flowers are past there come small hard white and shining seede in those heads wrapped or set among a deale of flockie matter as is most vsuall in all plants that beare scaly heads the rootes are long and hard perishing euery yeare when it hath giuen seede 2. Cyanus floridus Turcicus The Sultans
am enformed by a courteous Gentlewoman a great louer of these delights called Mistris Thomasin Tunstall who dwelleth at Bull-banke neare Hornby Castle in those parts and who hath often sent mee vp the rootes to London which haue borne faire flowers in my Garden The second groweth in many places of England and with the same Gentlewoman also before remembred who sent me one plant of this kinde with the other The last I haue not yet knowne to growe in England but no doubt many things doe lye hid and not obserued which in time may bee discouered if our Country Gentlemen and women and others in their seuerall places where they dwell would be more carefull and diligent and be aduertised either by themselues or by others capable and fit to be imployed as occasion and time might serue to finde out such plants as growe in any the circuits or limits of their habitations or in their trauels as their pleasures or affaires leade them And because ignorance is the chiefe cause of neglect of many rare things which happen to their view at sometimes which are not to be seene againe peraduenture or not in many yeares after I would heartily aduise all men of meanes to be stirred vp to bend their mindes and spend a little more time and trauell in these delights of herbes and flowers then they haue formerly done which are not onely harmlesse but pleasurable in their time and profitable in their vse And if any would be better enformed and certified of such things they know not I would be willing and ready to my best skill to aduertise them that shall send any thing vp to me where I dwell in London Thus farre I haue digressed from the matter in hand and yet not without some good vse I hope that others may make of it The Time The two first flower earlier then the last and both the first about one time that is in the end of Aprill or beginning of May. The last in the end of May or in Iune The Names The first is called Elleborine recentiorum maior and Calceolus Mariae Of some thought to be Cosmosandalos because it is Sandali forma In English we call it our Ladies Slipper after the Dutch name The other two lesser kinâ—â— haue their names in their titles I haue thought it fit to adde the title of small white Ellebors vnto these for the forme sake as is before said The Vertues There is no vse of these in Physicke in our dayes that I know CHAP. LXXXIIII Lilium Conuallium Lilly Conually THe remembrance of the Conuall Lilly spoken of in the precedent Chapter hath caused me to insert these plants among the rest although differing both in face and properties but lest it should lose all place let it keepe this It is of two sorts differing chiefly in the colour of the flowers the one being white and the other reddish as shall be shewed in their descriptions following 1. Lilium Conuallâ—um flore albo The white Lilly Conually The white Conuall or May Lilly hath three or foure leaues rising together from the roote one enclosed within another each whereof when it is open is long and broad of a grayish shining greene colour somewhat resembling the leaues of the former wilde Neesewort at the side whereof and sometime from the middle of them riseth vp a small short naked foote-stalke an hand breadth high or somewhat more bearing at the toppe one aboue another many small white flowers like little hollow bottles with open mouths nicked or cut into fiue or six notches turning all downewards one way or on one side of the stalke of a very strong sweete sent and comfortable for the memory and senses which turne into small red berries like vnto Asparagus wherein is contained hard white seede the rootes runne vnder ground creeping euery way consisting of many small white strings 2. Lilium Conuallium flore rubente May Lillies with red flowers This other May Lilly differeth neither in roote leafe nor forme of flower from that before but onely in the colour of the flower which is of a fine pale red colour being in my iudgement not altogether so sweet as the former The Place The first groweth aboundantly in many places of England The other is a stranger and groweth only in the Gardens of those that are curious louers of rarities The Time They both flower in May and the berries are ripe in August The Names The Latines haue no other name for this plant but Lilium Conuallium although some would haue it to be Lilium vernum of Theophrastus and others Oenanthe of the same Author Gesner thinketh it to be Callionymus Lonicerus to be Cacalia and Fuchsius to be Ephemerum non lethale but they are all for the most part mistaken We call it in English Lilly Conually May Lilly and of some Liriconfancie The Vertues The flowers of the white kinde are often vsed with those things that help to strengthen the memory and to procure ease to Apoplecticke persons Camerarius setteth downe the manner of making an oyle of the flowers hereof which he saith is very effectuall to ease the paines of the Goute and such like diseases to be vsed outwardly which is thus Hauing filled a glasse with the flowers and being well stopped set it for a moneths space in an Ants hill and after being drayned cleare set it by to vse CHAP. LXXXV Gentiana Gentian or Fell-wort THere are diuers sorts of Gentians or Fell-wortes some greater others lesser and some very small many of them haue very beautifull flowers but because some are very suddenly past before one would thinke they were blowne open and others will abide no culture and manuring I will onely set forth vnto you two of the greater sorts and three of the lesser kindes as fittest and more familiarly furnishing our gardens leauing the rest to their wilde habitations and to bee comprehended in a generall Worke. 1. Gentiana maior flore flauo The great Gentian The great Gentian riseth vp at the first with a long round and pointed head of leaues closing one another which after opening themselues lye vpon the ground and are faire long and broad somewhat plaited or ribbed like vnto the leaues of white Ellebor or Neeseworte but not so fairely or eminently plaited neyther so stiffe but rather resembling the leaues of a great Plantane from among which riseth vp a stiffe round stalke three foote high or better full of ioynts hauing two such leaues but narrower and smaller at euery ioynt so compassing about the stalke at the lower end of them that they will almost hold water that falleth into them from the middle of the stalke to the toppe it is garnished with many coronets or rundles of flowers with two such greene leaues likewise at euery ioynt and wherein the flowers doe stand which are yellow layd open like starres and rising out of small greenish huskes with some threds in the middle of them but of no sent at all yet
stately to behold both for the order height and proportion of the plant the seede is browne and flat contained in round heads somewhat like vnto the seede of the Fritillaria or checkerd Daffodill but browner the rootes are great thicke and long yellow and exceeding bitter 2. Gentiana maior folio Asclepiadis Swallow-wort Gentian This kinde of Gentian hath many stalkes rising from the roote neere two foote high whereon grow many faire pale greene leaues set by couples with three ribs in euery one of them and doe somewhat resemble the leaues of Asclepias or Swallow-wort that is broade at the bottome and sharpe at the point the flowers grow at the seuerall ioynts of the stalkes from the middle vpwards two or three together which are long and hollow like vnto a bell flower ending in fiue corners or pointed leaues and folded before they are open as the flowers of the Bindeweedes are of a faire blew colour sometimes deeper and sometimes paler the heads or seede vessels haue two points or hornes at the toppes and containe within them flat grayish seed like vnto the former but lesse the rootes hereof are nothing so great as the former but are yellow small and long of the bignesse of a mans thumbe 3. Gentiana minor Cruciata Crosse-wort Gentian This small Gentian hath many branches lying vpon the ground scarce lifting themselues vpright and full of ioynts whereat grow vsually foure leaues one opâ—â—â—â— vnto another in manner of a Crosse from whence it tooke his name in shape v◠〈…〉 vnto Saponaria or Sopewort but shorter and of a darker greene colour at the tops of the stalkes stand many flowers thick thrusting together and likewise at the next ioynt vnderneath euery one of them standing in a darke blewish greene huske and consisting of fiue small leaues the points or ends whereof only appeare aboue the huskes wherein they stand and are hardly to be seene but that they are of a fine pale blew colour and that many grow together the seed is small and brown hard and somewhat 1 Lilium Conuallium Liriconfancy or Lilly Conually 2 Gentiana maior The great Gentian 3 Gentianâ—lla verna Small Gentian of the Spring 4 Gentiana Cruciata Crossewort Gentian 5 Pneumonanthe seu Gentiana Autumnalisâ— Autumne Gentian 6 Sapanaria flore duplici Double flowred Sopewort 7 Plantago Rosea Rose Platane like vnto the seed of the Marian Violets or Couentry bels the roots are small and whitish dispersing themselues diuersly in the ground of as bitter a taste almost as the rest 4. Gentianella Verna Small Gentian of the Spring The small Gentian of the Spring hath diuers small hard greene leaues lying vpon the ground as it were in heads or tufts somewhat broad below and pointed at the end with fiue ribs or veines therein as conspicuous as in the former Gentians among which riseth vp a small short stalke with some smaller leaues thereon at the toppe whereof standeth one faire large hollow flower made bell fashion with wide open brimmes ending in fiue corners or diuisions of the most excellent deepe blew colour that can be seene in any flower with some what spots in the bottome on the inside after the flower is past there appeare long and round pods wherein are contained small blackish seede the rootes are small long pale yellow strings which shoot forth here and there diuers heads of leaues and thereby encrease reasonable well if it finde a fit place and ground to grow or else will not be noursed vp with all the care and diligence can be vsed the whole plant is bitter but not so strong as the former 5. Gentiana Autumnalis siue Pneumonanthe Calathian Violet or Autumne Gentian This Gentian that flowreth in Autumne hath in some places higher stalkes then in others with many leaues thereon set by couples as in other Gentians but long and narrow yet shewing the three ribbes or veines that are in each of them the toppes of the stalkes are furnished euery one with a flower or two of an excellent 〈◊〉 â—urple colour ending in fiue corners and standing in long huskes the rootes are somewhat great at the top and spreading into many small yellow strings bitter as the rest are 6. Saponaria flore duplici Double flowred Sopeworte Vnto these kindes of Gentians I must needes adde these following plants for that the former is of some neere resemblance in leafe with some of the former And because the ordinary Sopeworte or Bruiseworte with single flowers is often planted in Gardens and the flowers serue to decke both the garden and the house I may vnder the one describe them both for this with double flowers is farre more rare and of greater beautie It hath many long and slender round stalkes scarce able to sustaine themselues and stand vpright being ful of ioynts and ribbed leaues at them euery one somewhat like a small Gentian or Plantane leafe at the toppes of the stalkes stand many flowers consisting of two or three rowes of leaues of a whitish or pale purple colour and of a strong sweet sent somewhat like the smell of Iasmin flowers standing in long and thicke pale greene huskes which fall away without giuing any seede as most other double flowers doe that encrease by the roote which spreadeth within the ground and riseth vp in sundry distant places like the single 7 Plantago Rosea Rose Plantane This other plant is in all things like vnto the ordinary Plantane or Ribworte that groweth wilde abroade in many places whose leaues are very large but in stead of the long slender spike or eare that the ordinary hath this hath eyther a thicke long spike of small greene leaues vpon short stalkes or elsâ— a number of such small g◠〈…〉 leaues layd round-wise like vnto a Rose and sometimeâ— both these may be seen◠〈…〉 one and the same roote at one and the same time which abide a great while fres◠〈…〉 the roote and sometims also giueth seede especially from the more long and slender spikes The Place Some of these Gentians grow on the toppes of hils and some on the sides and foote of them in Germany and other Countreyes some of them also vpon barren heaths in those places as also in our owne Countrey especially the Autumne Gentian and as it is reported the Vernall likewise The single or ordinary Sopeworte is found wilde in many places with vs but the double came to vs from beyond the Sea and â—s scarce known or heard of in England The Rose Plantaine hath beene long in England but whether naturall thereof or no I am not assured The Time They flower for the most part in Iune and Iuly but the small Gentian of the Spring flowreth somewhat earlier and that of the Autumne in August and September The Names Gentiana is the generall name giuen to the Gentians We call them in English Gentian Fellworte Bitterwort and Baldmoney Saponarta taketh his name from the scouring qualitie it hath Wee call it in English Sopewort and in some
is the ground yellow and ouershadowed with a bright crimson colour which is a fine colour of much delight the threads in the middle are not so purple red as in the former but much about the colour of the flower this is not so willing to giue seede and will as hardly abide in the roote and hath out of question risen from the seede of the former 5. Blattaria flore albo White Moth Mullein The leaues of the white Moth Mullein are somewhat like vnto the yellow yet not altogether so much roundly notched about the edges but rather a little dented with sharper notches the stalke riseth as high as the yellow and hath now and then some branches about it the flowers hereof are pure white as large and great as the ordinary yellow or somewhat larger with the like purple threads in the middle as are in the yellow the seed is like the other the root perisheth in like maner and will not endure 6. Blattaria flore purpureo Purple Moth Mullein The Purple Moth Mullein hath his leaues lying on the ground broader and shorter then any of the other of a more grayish greene colour and without any denting for the most part about the edges sharpe pointed also at the end of the leafe among the leaues riseth vp the stalke not so high as either the white or the yellow and many times branched bearing many flowers thereon of the same fashion and no whit smaller of a faire deepe blewish colour tending to rednesse the threads in the middle of the flowers being yellow the seede vessels hereof are somewhat smaller then any of the former except the first sweete yellow kinde the roote hereof is long thicke and blackish on the outside abiding very well from yeare to yeare and riseth well also from the sowing of the seede 7. Blattaria flore caeruleo Blew Moth Mullein This blew Moth Mullein is in all respects like vnto the former purple kinde sauing onely in the colour of the flower which is of a blewish violet colour and is not much inferiour either in greatnesse of the plant or in the largenesse of the flower vnto the former purple kinde and endureth many yeares in the like manner And these be all the sorts of this kinde of Moth Mullein that I haue seene and noursed vp for this my Garden without interposing any vnknowne not seene or vnworthy 8. Verbascum siluestre siue quartum Matthioli Wooddy Mullein or French Sage Wooddy Mullein or French Sage hath diuers wooddy branches two or three foot high very hoary or white whereon at seuerall ioynts stand diuers thicke leaues white also and hoary long somewhat broad round pointed and rough somewhat resembling the leaues of Sage in the forme and roughnesse but not in the sent whereof our people gaue it the name of Sage calling it French Sage when as it is as great a stranger in France as in England yet they doe with this as with many other things calling them French which come from beyond the Seas as for example all or most of our bulbous flowers they call French flowers c. at the toppes of the stalkes and branches at certaine distances are placed round about them many gaping flowers like vnto the flowers of Sage but yellow after which now and then come seede somewhat bigger then the Moth Mulleins and lesse then the next Mullein of Ethiopia the roote is wooddy at the toppe with diuers blackish strings growing from it and endureth as well aboue ground with his leaues as vnder it with his rootes 9. Aethiopis Ethiopian Mullein This Mullein of Ethiopia hath many great broad and large leaues lying on the ground rent or torne in diuers of them very much on the sides of so hoary a white greene colour that it farre passeth any of the white Mulleins that growe wilde abroad in our owne Country for they are of a yellowish white hoarinesse nothing so pleasant to looke on as this in the middle of these leaues riseth vp a square strong stalke foure or fiue foote high set full of such like leaues as growe belowe but much lesser and lesser still vp to the toppe all hoary and woolly as the rest and diuided into manie branches spreading farre and taking vp a great compasse of ground more then any one roote of Garden Clary or other such like plant at each of the stalkes and branches are set two small leaues and with them round about the stalkes stand many small gaping flowers of a pale bleake blew colour the seede is almost as large as Garden Clary seede and of the same forme and colour the roote is wooddy and perisheth as soone as it hath borne seede which is vsually the second yeare after the sowing for the first yeare it seldome runneth vp to flower 10. Lamium Pannonicum siue Galeopsis Pannonica Hungary dead Nettle or the Dragon flower Let mee thrust this plant into this place rather then make a peculiar Chapter because I haue no other of the same stocke or kindred to be ioyned with it and is a pretty ornament in a Garden The leaues whereof are very large round and great rough or full of veines which make it seeme crumpled dented or deepely notched about the edges and of a very darke greene colour and sometimes brownish or of a darke reddish colour withall euery one standing on a long foote-stalke very like in forme vnto the great white Arch-Angell leaues but farre larger and blacker the stalkes are great and foure square hauing leaues and flowers standing round about them at the ioynts like coronets which flowers are very great long and wide gaping open of a darke red or purple colour with some whitenesse or spots in the iawes and some hairinesse also on the sides which stand in full flower two or three moneths most vsually and sometimes longer after which come brownish seede the roote is a great tuft or bush of long whitish strings and encreaseth euery yeare not fearing the greatest iniuries of our coldest and extreamest Winters The Place All these plants are strangers in our Countrey and onely preserued in Gardens to furnish them with variety but as I said the cloth of gold Moth Mullein hath been raised from seed in our owne Country The Time The last flowreth first before all the rest beginning in Aprill The Moth Mulleins in May and Iune The French Sage in Iuly The Names All the sorts of Blattaria may bee comprehended vnder the kindes of Verbascum nigrum as any one but meanely exercised in the knowledge of plants may discerne And although Plinie saith that Moths doe most frequently haunt where Blattaria either groweth or is laid yet it is not obserued sufficiently in our Country so to doe notwithstanding the name of Moth Mullein is generally giuen them The last is generally called with vs Lamium Pannonicum but certainely it is the Galeosis maxima Pannonica of Clusius The Vertues Other qualities I haue not found hath been allotted vnto the Blattaria or Moth
am bold to set it downe to induce and prouoke some louer of plants to obtaine it for his pleasure and others also 4. Syringa flore albo simplici The single white Pipe tree The single white Pipe tree or bush neuer commeth to that height of the former but abideth alwaies like a hedge tree or bush full of shootes or suckers from the roote much more then the former the young shootes hereof are reddish on the outside and afterward reddish at the ioynts and grayish all the rest ouer the young as well as the old branches haue some pith in the middle of them like as the Elder hath the leaues stand two at a ioynt somewhat like the former but more rugged or crumpled as also a little pointed and dented about the edges the flowers growe at the toppes of the branches diuers standing together consisting of foure white leaues like vnto small Muske Roses and of the same creame colour as I may call it with many small yellowish threads in the middle and are of a strong full or heady sent not pleasing to a great many by reason of the strange quicknesse of the sent the fruit followeth being flat at the head with many leafie shels or scales compassing it wherein is enclosed small long seede the rootes runne not deepe but spread vnder the ground with many fibres annexed vnto them 5. Syringa Arabica flore albo duplici The double white Pipe tree This Pipe tree hath diuers long and slender branches whereon growe large leaues somewhat like vnto the leaues of the former single white kinde but not so rough or hard and not at all dented about the edges two alwaies standing one against another at euery ioynt of the stalke but set or disposed on contrary sides and not all vpon one side at the ends whereof come forth diuers flowers euery one standing on his owne foote-stalke the hose or huske being long and hollow like vnto the white Iasmine and the flowers therin consisting of a double rowe of white and round pointed leaues fiue or six in a rowe with some yellownesse in the middle which is hollow of a very strong and heady sweet sent and abiding a long time flowring especially in the hotter Countries but is very tender and not able to abide any the least cold weather with vs 1 Iâ—â—minum album vulgare â—he ordinary white Iasminâ— 2 Iasminum Americanum siue Convolvulus Americanus The Iasmine or Bindweed of America 3 Iesminum lutoâ—â— vulgarâ— â—he yellow Iasmine 4 Lilac seu Syringa carulea The blew Pipe tree 5 Syringa alba vulgaris The single white Syringa or Pipe tree 6 Syringa flore albo duplici The double white Syringa 7 Sambucus rosea The Elder or Gelder Role for the cold windes will as I vnderstand greatly molest it and therefore must as charily be kept as Orenge trees with vs if wee will haue it to abide The Place The first groweth in Arabia as Matthiolus thinketh that had it from Constantinople We haue it plentifully in our Gardens The second and third are strangers with vs as yet The fourth is as frequent as the first or rather more but his originall is not knowne The last hath his originall from Arabia as his name importeth The Time The first second and third flower in Aprill the other two not vntill May. The Names The first is called of Matthiolus Lilac and by that name is most vsually called in all parts It is also called Syringa caerulea because it commeth nearest vnto those woods which for their pithy substance were made hollow into pipes It is called of all in English The blew Pipe tree It seemeth likely that Petrus Bellonius in his third Booke and fiftieth Chapter of his obseruations making mention of a shrubbe that the Turkes haue with Iuie leaues alwaies greene bearing blew or violet coloured flowers on a long stalke of the bignesse and fashion of a Foxe taile and thereupon called in their language a Foxe taile doth vnderstand this plant here expressed The certainty whereof might easily be knowne if any of our Merchants there residing would but call for such a shrubbe by the name of a Foxe taile in the Turkish tongue and take care to send a young roote in a small tubbe or basket with earth by Sea vnto vs here at London which would be performed with a very little paines and cost The second and third as kindes thereof haue their names in their titles The fourth is called by Clusius and others Frutex Coronarius some doe call it Lilac flore albo but that name is not proper in that it doth confound both kindes together Lobel calleth it Syringa Italica It is now generally called of all Syringa alba that is in English The white Pipe tree Some would haue it to bee Ostrys of Theophrastus but Clusius hath sufficiently cleared that doubt Of others Ligustrum Orientale which it cannot be neither for the Cyprus of Plinie is Dioscorides his Ligustrum which may be called Orientale in that it is most proper to the Easterne Countries and is very sweete whose seede is like vnto Coriander seede The last is called by diuers Syringa Arabica flore albo duplici as most fitly agreeing thereunto Of Basilius Beslerus that set forth the great booke of the Bishop of Eystot in Germany his Garden Syringa Italica flore albo pleno because as it is likely hee had it from Italy It is very likely that Prosper Alpinus in his booke of Egyptian plants doth meane this plant which hee there calleth Sambach siue Iasminum Arabicum Matthaeus Caccini of Florence in his letter to Clusius entituleth it Syringa Arabica siue Iasminum Arabicum siue Iasminum ex Gine whereby hee declareth that it may not vnfitly be referred to either of them both We may call it in English as it is in the title The double white Pipe tree The Vertues We haue no vse of these in Physicke that I know although Prosper Alpinus saith the double white Pipe tree is much vsed in Egypt to help women in their trauailes of childbirth CHAP. CVIII Sambucus Rosea The Elder or Gelder Rose ALthough there be diuers kindes of Elders yet there is but one kinde of Elder Rose whereof I meane to intreate in this Chapter being of neare affinity in some things vnto the former Pipe trees and which for the beauty of it deserueth to be remembred among the delights of a Garden Sambucus Rosea The Gelder Rose The Gelder Rose as it is called groweth to a reasonable height standing like a tree with a trunke as bigge as any mans arme couered with a darke grayish barke somewhat rugged and very knotty the younger branches are smooth and white with a pithy substance in the middle as the Elders haue to shew that it is a kind thereof whereon are set broad leaues diuided into three parts or diuisions somewhat like vnto a Vine leafe but smaller and more rugged or crumpled iagged or cut also about the edges at the toppes of euery one
preserued from time to time not without much paine and trouble 1. Myrtus latifolia The greater leafed Mirtle The broader leafed Mirtle riseth vp to the height of foure or fiue foote at the most with vs full of branches and leaues growing like a small bush the stemme and elder branches whereof are couered with a dark coloured bark but the young with a green and some with a red especially vpon the first shooting forth whereon are set many fresh greene leaues very sweet in smell and very pleasant to behold so neer resembling the leaues of the Pomegranate tree that groweth with vs that they soone deceiue many that are not expert therein being somewhat broade and long and pointed at the ends abiding alwaies green at the ioynts of the branches where the leaues stand come forth the flowers vpon small footestalkes euery one by it selfe consisting of fiue small white leaues with white threds in the middle smelling also very sweet after the flowers are past there doe arise in the hot Countries where they are naturall round blacke berries when they are ripe wherein are contained many hard white crooked seedes but neuer in this Countrey as I said before the roote disperseth it selfe into many branches with many fibres annexed thereto 2. Myrtus minor seu minore folio The smaller leafed Mirtle The smaller leafed Mirtle is a low shrub or bush like vnto the former but scarce rising so high with branches spreading about the stemme much thicker set with leaues then the former smaller also and pointed at the ends of a little deeper greene colour abiding greene also winter and summer and very sweete likewise the flowers are white like vnto the former and as sweete but shew not themselues so plentifull on the branches the fruit is blacke in his naturall places with seedes therein as the former 3. Myrtus minor rotundiore folio Boxe Mirtle Wee haue another sort of this small kinde of Mirtle so like vnto the former both for smalnesse deepe greene colour of the leaues and thicke growing of the branches that it will be thought of most without good heede and comparing the one with the other to be the very same with the former but if it bee well viewed it will shew by the roundnesse at the ends of the leaues very like vnto the small Boxe leaues to be another differing kinde although in nothing else Wee nourse them with great care for the beautifull aspect sweete sent and raritie as delights and ornaments for a garden of pleasure wherein nothing should be wanting that art care and cost might produce and preserue as also to set among other euer greene plants to sort with them The Place These and many other sorts of Mirtles grow in Spaine Portugall Italie and other hot Countries in great aboundance where they make their hedges of them wee as I said keepe them in this Countrey with very great care and diligence The Time The Mirtles doe flower very late with vs not vntill August at the soonest which is the cause of their not fructifying The Names They are called in Latine Myrtus and in English Mirtle tree without any other diuersitie of names for the generall title Yet the seuerall kindes haue had seuerall denominations in Plinies time and others as Romana Coningala Terentina Egyptia alba nigra c. which haue noted the differences euen then well obserued The Vertues The Mirtle is of an astringent qualitie and wholly vsed for such purposes CHAP. CXIIII Malus Punica siue Granata The Pomegranet tree THere are two kindes of Pomegranet trees The one tame or manured bearing fruit which is distinguished of some into two sorts of others into three that is into sower and sweet and into sower sweete The other wilde which beareth no fruite because it beareth double flowers like as the Cherry Apple and Peach tree with double blossomes before described and is also distinguished into two sorts the one bearing larger the other lesser flowers Of the manured kinde wee haue onely one sort so farre as we know for it neuer beareth ripe fruit in this our Countrey which for the beautifull aspect both of the greene verdure of the leaues and faire proportion and colour of the flowers as also for the raritie are noursed in some few of their gardens that delight in such rarities for in regard of the tendernesse there is neede of diligent care that is to plant it against a brick wall and defend it conueniently from the sharpenesse of our winters to giue his Master some pleasure in seeing it beare flowers And of the double kinde we haue as yet obtained but one sort although I shall giue you the knowledge and description of another 1. Malus Punica satina The tame Pomegranet tree This Pomegranet tree groweth not very high in his naturall places and with vs somtimes it shooteth forth from the roote many brownish twigges or branches or if it bee pruned from them and suffered to grow vp it riseth to bee seuen or eight foote high 1 Myrus latifoliâ— maier The bâ—oad leafed Myrtle 2 Myrtuâ— augustifolia minor The small leafed Myrtle 3 Myrtus buâ—ifoâ—ia minor The Boxe leafed Myrtle 4 Malus Granatus simplici flore The ordinary Pomegranet tree 5 Balanstium Romamum seu minus The lesser double flowred Pomegranet tree 6 Balaustium maius siue Cyprium The greater double flowred Pomegranet 7 Pseudocapsicum seu Amonium Plinij The Winter Cherry tree 8 Ficus Indica cum suo fractu The Indian Figgetree and his fruit spreading into many small and slender branches here and there set with thornes and with many very faire greene shining leaues like informe and bignesse vnto the leaues of the larger Myrtle before described euery one hauing a small reddish foote-stalke vpon these branches among the leaues come forth here and there long hard and hollow reddish cups diuided at the brimmes wherein doe stand large single flowers euery one consisting of one whole leafe smaller at the bottome then at the brimme like bels diuided as it were at the edges into fiue or six parts of an orient red or crimson colour in the hotter Countries but in this it is much more delayed and tendeth neare vnto a blush with diuers threads in the middle The fruit is great and round hauing as it were a crowne on the head of it with a thicke tough hard skinne or rinde of a brownish red colour on the outside and yellow within stuffed or packt full of small graines euery one encompast with a thin skin wherein is contained a cleare red iuyce or liquor either of a sweet as I said before or sower taste or betweene them both of a winie taste the roote disperseth it selfe very much vnderground 2. Balaustium maius siue Malus Punica siluestris maior The greater wilde or double blossomd Pomegranet tree The wilde Pomegranet is like vnto the tame in the number of purplish branches hauing thornes and shining faire greene leaues somewhat larger then the former from the
branches likewise shoote forth flowers farre more beautifull then those of the tame or manured sort because they are double and as large as a double Prouince Rose or rather more double of an excellent bright crimson colour tending to a silken carnation standing in brownish cups or huskes diuided at the brims vsually into foure or fiue seuerall points like vnto the former but that in this kinde there neuer followeth any fruit no not in the Country where it is naturally wilde 3. Balaustium minus The smaller wilde Pomegranet tree This smaller kinde differeth from the former in his leaues being of a darker greene colour but not in the height of the stemme or purplishnesse of his branches or thorns vpon them for this doth shew it selfe more like vnto a wilde kind then it the flowers hereof are much smaller and not so thicke and double of a deeper or sadder red Orenge tawny colour set also in such like cups or huskes The Place The tame or manured kinde groweth plentifully in Spaine Portugall and Italy and other in other warme and hot countries Wee as I said before preserue it with great care The wilde I thinke was neuer seene in England before Iohn Tradescante my very louing good friend brought it from the parts beyond the Seas and planted it in his Lords Garden at Canterbury The Time They flower very late with vs that is not vntill the middle or end of August and the cold euenings or frosts comming so soone vpon it doth not onely hinder it from bearing but many times the sharpe winters so pinch it that it withereth it downe to the ground so that oftentimes it hardly springeth againe The Names The name Malus Punica for the tree and Malum Punicum for the fruit or Malus Granata and Malum Granatum is the common name giuen vnto this tree which is called in English the Pomegarnet or Pomegranet tree The flowers of the tame kinde are called Cytini as Dioscorides saith although Plinie seemeth either to make Cytinus to be the flower of the wilde kinde or Balaustium to be the flower of both tame and wilde kinde but properly as I take it Cytinus is the cup wherein the flower as well of the came as wilde kinde doth stand for vnto the similitude of them both the flowers of Asarum and the seede vessels of Hyosciamus are compared and resembled and not vnto the whole flower the barke or rinde of the fruit is called of diuers Sidion and in the Apothecaries shops Psidium and cortex Granatarum The wilde kinde is called Malus Punica siluestris In English The wilde Pomegranet tree the flower thereof is properly called Balaustium The lesser kind is vsually called Balaustium Romanum as the greater is called Creticum and Cyprinum because they growe in Candy and Cyprus The Vertues The vse of all these Pomegranets is very much in Physicke to coole and binde all fluxibility both of body and humours they are also of singular effect in all vlcers of the mouth and other parts of the body both of man and woman There is no part of them but is applyed for some of these respects The rinde also of the Pomegranet is vsed of diuers in stead of Gaules to make the best sort of writing Inke which is durable to the worlds end CHAP. CXV Amonum Plinij seu Pseudocapsicum Tree Night shade or the Winter Cherry tree I Haue adioyned this plant for the pleasurable beauty of the greene leaues and red berries It groweth vp to be a yard or foure foote high at the most hauing a small wooddy stemme or stocke as bigge as ones finger or thumbe couered with a whitish greene barke set full of greene branches and faire greene leaues somewhat vneuen sometimes on the edges narrower then any Night shade leaues and very neare resembling the leaues of the Capsicum or Ginny pepper but smaller and narrower falling away in the Winter and shooting fresh in the Spring of the yeare the flowers growe often two or three together at the ioynts of the branches with the leaues being white opening starre-fashion and sometimes turning themselues backe with a yellow pointell in the middle very like vnto the flowers of Night shade after the flowers are past come forth in their stead small greene buttons which after turne to be pleasant round red berries of the bignesse of small Cherries when they are ripe which with vs vsually ripen not vntill the Winter or about Christmas wherein are contained many small whitish seede that are flat all the whole plant as well leaues and flowers as seede are without either smell or taste the roote hath many yellowish strings and fibres annexed vnto it The Place The originall place hereof is not well knowne but is thought to bee the West Indies It hath been planted of long time in most of these Countries where it abideth reasonable well so that some care bee had thereof in the extreamity of the Winter The Time It flowreth sometimes in Iune but vsually in Iuly and August and the fruit is not ripe as is said vntill the Winter The Names This plant hath diuers names for it is thought to be that kinde of Amomum that Plinie setteth downe Dodonaeus calleth it Pseudocapficum for some likenesse in the leafe and fruit vnto the small Capsicum or Ginnie Pepper although much vnlike in the taste and property Others doe call it Strichnodendron that is Solanum arborescens and wee in English according thereunto Tree Night shade But some Latine asses corrupting the Latine word Amomum doe call it the Mumme tree Dalechampius calleth it Solanum Americum seu Indicum and saith the Spaniards call it in their tongue Guindas de las Indias that is Cerasa Indiana Indian Cherries which if any would follow I would not bee much against it but many Gentlewomen doe call them Winter Cherries because the fruit is not throughly ripe vntill Winter The Vertues I finde no Physicall property allotted vnto it more then that by reason of the insipidity it is held to be cooling CHAP. CXVI Ficus Indica minor The smaller Indian Figge tree THis Indian Figge tree if you will call it a tree because in our Country it is not so although it groweth in the naturall hot Countries from a wooddy stemme or body into leaues is a plant consisting only of leaues one springing out of another into many branches of leaues and all of them growing out of one leafe put into the ground halfe way which taking roote all the rest rise out thereof those belowe for the most part being larger then those aboue yet all of them somewhat long flat and round pointed of the thicknesse of a finger vsually and smallest at the lower end where they are ioyned or spring out of the other leaues hauing at their first breaking out a shew of small red or browne prickes thicke set ouer all the vpper side of the leaues but with vs falling away quickly leauing onely the markes where they stood but they
their flowers and fruit The Place This bush groweth as plentifully in the Woods of our owne Countrey as in any other beyond the Seas The Time It flowreth sometimes in Iune and in Iuly the fruit is ripe in August and a September The Names There is great controuersie among the moderne Writers concerning this plant some taking it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides other to be Phillyrea of Dioscorides which followeth next after Cyprus Plinie maketh mention of Cyprus in two places in the one he saith Cyprus hath the leafe of Ziziphus or the Iuiube tree in the other he saith that certain do affirme that the Cyprus of the East Country and the Ligustrum of Italy is one and the same plant whereby you may plainly see that our Priuet which is Ligustrum cannot be that Cyprus of Plinie with Iuiube leaues Besides both Dioscorides Plinie say that Cyprus is a tree but all know that Ligustrum Priuet is but an hedge bush Againe Dioscorides saith that the leaues of Cyprus giue a red colour but Priuet giueth none Bellonius and Prosper Alpinus haue both recorded that the true Cyprus of Dioscorides groweth plentifully in Egypt Syria and those Easterne Countries and noursed vp also in Constantinople and other parts of Greece being a merchandise of much worth in that they transport the leaues and young branches dryed which laid in water giue a yellow colour wherewith the Turkish women colour the nailes of their hands and some other parts of their bodies likewise delighting much therein and that it is not our Ligustrum or Priuet because Cyprus beareth round white seede like Coriander seede and the leaues abide greene alwaies vpon the tree which groweth if it bee not cut or pruined to the height of the Pomegranet tree I haue I confesse beyond the limits I set for this worke spoken concerning our Priuet because I haue had the seede of the true Cyprus of Dioscorides sent mee which was much differing from our Priuet and although it sprang vp yet would not abide any time whereas if it had beene our Priuet it would haue beene familiar enough to our Countrey The Vertues It is of small vse in physicke yet some doe vse the leaues in Lotions that serue to coole and dry fluxes or sores in diuers parts CHAP. CXXVI Saluia variegata Party coloured Sage And Maiorana versicolor siue aurea Yellow or golden Marierome VNto all these flowers of beauty and rarity I must adioyne two other plants whose beauty consisteth in their leaues and not in their flowers as also to separate them from the others of their tribe to place them here in one Chapter before the sweete herbes that shall follow as is fittest to furnish this our Garden of pleasure This kinde of Sage groweth with branches and leaues very like the ordinary Sage but somewhat smaller the chiefest difference consisteth in the colour of the leaues being diuersly marked and spotted with white and red among the greene for vpon one branch you shall haue the leaues seuerally marked one from another as the one halfe of the leafe white and the other halfe greene with red shadowed ouer them both or more white then greene with some red in it either parted or shadowed or dasht here and there or more greene then white and red therein eyther in the middle or end of the leafe or more or lesse parted or striped with white and red in the greene or else sometimes wholly greene the whole branch together as nature listeth to play with such varieties which manner of growing rising from one and the same plant because it is the more variable is the more delightfull and much respected There is another speckled Sage parted with white and greene but it is nothing of that beauty to this because this hath three colours euidently to bee discerned in euery leafe almost the red adding a superaboundant grace to the rest Maiorana aurea siue versicolor Yellow or golden Marierome This kinde of Marierome belongeth to that sort is called in Latine Maiorana latifolia which Lobel setteth forth for Hyssopus Graecorum genuina In English Winter Marierome or pot Marierome for it hath broader and greater leaues then the sweete Marierome and a different vmbell or tuft of flowers The difference of this from that set forth in the Kitchin Garden consisteth chiefly in the leaues which are in Summer wholly yellow in some or but a little greene or parted with yellow and greene more or lesse as nature listeth to play but in Winter they are of a darke or dead greene colour yet recouering it selfe againe the sent hereof is all one with the pot Marierome Wee haue another parted with white and greene much after the manner with the former The Place Time Names and Vertues of both these plants shall be declared where the others of their kindes are specified hereafter and in the Kitchen Garden for they differ not in properties CHAP. CXXVII Lauendula Lauender Spike AFter all these faire and sweete flowers before specified I must needes adde a few sweete herbes both to accomplish this Garden and to please your senses by placing them in your Nosegayes or else where as you list And although I bring them in the end or last place yet are they not of the least account 1. Lauendula maior Garden Lauender Our ordinary Garden Lauender riseth vp with a hard wooddy stemme aboue the ground parted into many small branches whereon are set whitish long and narrow leaues by couples one against another from among which riseth vp naked square stalkes with two leaues at a ioynt and at the toppe diuers small huskes standing round about them formed in long and round heads or spikes with purple gaping flowers springing out of each of them the roote is wooddy and spreadeth in the ground The whole plant is of a strong sweete sent but the heads of flowers much more and more piercing the senses which are much vsed to bee put among linnen and apparrell There is a kinde hereof that beareth white flowers and somewhat broader leaues Flore albo but it is very rare and seene but in few places with vs because it is more tender and will not so well endure our cold Winters 2. Lauendula minor sen Spica Small Lauender or Spike The Spike or small Lauender is very like vnto the former but groweth not so high neither is the head or spike so great and long but shorter and smaller and of a more purplish colour in the flower the leaues also are a little harder whiter and shorter then the former the sent also is somewhat sharper and stronger This is not so frequent as the first and is nourished but in some places that are warme and where they delight in rare herbes and plants The Place Lauender groweth in Spaine aboundantly in many places so wilde and little regarded that many haue gone and abiden there to distill the oyle thereof whereof great quantity now commeth
abroad and rising vp againe in many places The Place These Hyssopes haue beene most of them noursed vp of long time in our English Gardens but from whence their first originall should be is not well knowne The Germander also is onely in Gardens and not wilde The Time They flower in Iune and Iuly The Names The seuerall names whereby they are knowne to vs are set forth in their titles and therefore I neede not here say more of them then onely this that neyther they here set downe nor the common or ordinary sort nor any of the rest not here expressed are any of them the true Hyssope of the ancient Greeke Writers but supposititiae vsed in the stead thereof The Germander from the forme of the leaues like vnto small oaken leaues had the name Chamaedrys giuen it which signifieth a dwarfe Oake The Vertues The common Hyssope is much vsed in all pectorall medicines to cut fleagme and to cause it easily to be auoided It is vsed of many people in the Country to be laid vnto cuts or fresh wounds being bruised and applyed eyther alone or with a little Sugar It is much vsed as a sweet herbe to be in the windowes of an house I finde it much commended against the Falling Sicknesse especially being made into Pils after this manner Of Hyssope Horhound and Castor of each halfe a dramme of Peony rootes the male kinde is onely fit to be vsed for this purpose two drams of Assa faetida one scruple Let them be beaten and made into pils with the iuyce of Hyssope which being taken for seuen dayes together at night going to bed is held to be effectual to giue much ease if not thoroughly to cure those that are troubled with that disease The vse of Germander ordinarily is as Tyme Hyssope and other such herbes to border a knot whereunto it is often appropriate and the rather that it might be cut to serue as I said for a strewing herbe for the house among others For the physicall vse it serueth in diseases of the splene and the stopping of vrine and to procure womens courses Thus haue I led you through all my Garden of Pleasure and shewed you all the varieties of nature noursed therein pointing vnto them and describing them one after another And now lastly according to the vse of our old ancient Fathers I bring you to rest on the Grasse which yet shall not be without some delight and that not the least of all the rest 1 Thymum legitimum The true Tyme 2 Serpillum maius bortense Garcen walde Tyme 3 Serpillum Citratum Lemon Tyme 4 Hyssopus verfiâ—olo siue aureus Golden Hyssope 5 Chamaedrys Germander 6 Spartum Austriacum siue Gramen plumarium minus The lesser feather Grasse 7 Gramen striatum vel sulcatum Painted Grasse or Ladies Laces CHAP. CXXXIII Gramina Grasses THere are among an infinite number as I may so say of Grasses a few onely which I thinke fit to be planted in this Garden both for the rarity of them and also for your delight and the excellent beauty that is in them aboue many other plants One of them hath long agoe bin respected and cherished in the country gardens of many Gentlewomen and others The others are knowne but vnto a few 1. Gramen striatum Painted Grasse or Ladies laces This kinde of Grasse hath many stiffe hard round stalkes full of ioynts whereon are set at euery ioynt one long leafe somewhat broad at the bottome where it compasseth the stalke and smaller to the end where it is sharpe pointed hard or rough in handling and striped all the length of the leafe with white streakes or lines that they seeme party coloured laces of white and greene the tops of the stalkes are furnished with long spikie tufts like vnto the tufts of Couch Grasse the rootes are small white and threddy like the rootes of other Grasses 2. Gramen Plumarium minus The lesser Feather-Grasse This lesser Feather-Grasse hath many small round and very long leaues or blades growing in tufts much finer and smaller then any other Grasse that I know being almost like vnto haires and of a fresh greene colour in Summer but changing into gray like old hay in Winter being indeede all dead and neuer reuiuing yet hardly to be plucked away vntill the Spring and then other greene leaues or rushes rise vp by them and in their stead and are aboue a foote in length from the middle of these tufts come forth rounder and bigger rushes which are the stalkes and which haue a chaffie round eare about the middle thereof which when it is full growne is somewhat higher then the toppes of the leaues or rushes opening it selfe being before close at the top and shewing forth three or foure long ayles or beards one aboue another which bend themselues a little downewards if they stand ouer long before they are gathered and will fall off and be blowne away with the winde being so finely feathered on both sides all the length of the beard and of a pale or grayish colour that no feather in the taile of the Bird of Paradise can be finer or to be compared with them hauing sticking at the end of euery one of them within the eare a small long whitish round hard and very sharpe pointed graine like vnto an oaten graine that part of the stalke of the feather that is next vnder it and aboue the seede for some two or three inches being stiffe and hard and twining or curling it selfe if it be suffered to stand too long or to fall away otherwise being straight as the feather it selfe the roote is composed of many long hard small threddy strings which runne deepe and far and will not willingly be remoued in that it gaineth strength euery yeare by standing 3. Gramen Plumarium maius The greater Feather-Grasse The greater Feather-Grasse is like vnto the lesser but that both the leaues and the feathers are greater and nothing so fine grosser also and of lesse beauty and respect though whiter then it and therefore is not so much regarded for I haue knowne that many Gentlewomen haue vsed the former lesser kinde being tyed in tufts to set them in stead of feathers about their beds where they haue lyen after childe-bearing and at other times also when as they haue been much admited of the Ladies and Gentles that haue come to visit them The Place The first of these Grasses as Lobel saith groweth naturally in the woods and hils of Sauoy It hath long agoe beene receiued into our English gardens The second as Clusius saith in Austria from whence also as I take it the greater came and are both in the gardens of those that are curious obseruers of these delights The Time The first is in its pride for the leaues all the Spring and Summer yeelding his bush in Iune The other giue their feather-like sprigs in Iuly and August and quickly as I said are shed if they be not carefully gathered The
nothing you must cast it away and cut another that may haue that eye abiding within the budde on the inside you may perceiue if that eye be wanting if you see an emptie hole in the place where the eye should be to fill it vp on the inside thereof thus hauing taken off your bud well and cleanly which is set forth vnto you at the figures 3 and 4. presently set it on the tree you would graft for your small bud can abide no delay lest by taking the ayre too long it become dry and nothing worth in this manner Cut the barke of your tree you would graft in a smooth place at what height you please first aboue or ouerthwart and then downe right in the middle thereof more then an inch long the figure whereof you shall haue at the figure 1. and then raise vp both sides of the barke first one and then another with the flat and thinne haft end of your knife a prettie way inwards for if the barke will not rise easily the stocke is not then fit to graft vpon put in your budde into the cleft with the point downewards holding the stalke of the leafe that is with the budde betweene your fingers of the one hand and opening the cleft with the flat end of your knife with the other hand that the head of your bud may be put close vnder the ouerthwart cut in the stocke or tree which must not be raised or stirred as the sides are the eye of the bud stand iust in the middle of the slit that is downeright and then closing the barke of the stocke or tree softly vnto the bud thus put in with your fingers let it be bound gently with a small long peece of baste or other such like soft thing first aboue the eye then compassing it belowe as close as you can but not too hard in any case vntil you haue bound it all ouer the slit you made especially the lower end lest any winde get in to dry and spoile it and hauing tyed both ends thereof fast leaue it so for a fornight or somewhat more in which space it will take and hold if it be well done which you shall perceiue if the bud abide green and turne not blacke when you haue vnloosed the tying for if it hold fast to the tree and be fresh and good tye it vp gently againe and so leaue it for a fortnight longer or a moneth if you will and then you may take away your binding cleane this budde will if no other mischance happen vnto it spring and shoote forth the next yeare and sometimes the same yeare but that is seldome and therefore in the beginning of the yeare cut off the head of the grafted tree about an handfull aboue the grafted place vntill the graft be growne strong and then cut it off close that the head may be couered with the graft and doe not suffer any buds to sprout besides the graft either aboue or belowe it If you graft diuers buds vpon one stocke which is the best way let that onely remaine and abide that shooteth best forth and rubbe off or take away the other the seuerall parts of this grafting I haue caused to be expressed for your further information 5. Grafting in the scutcheon is accounted another kinde of grafting and differeth verie little from grafting in the budde the difference chiefly consisteth in this that in stead of the downe right slit and that aboue ouerthwart they take away iust so much barke of the great tree as your bud is in bignesse which vsually is a little larger then the former and placing it therein they binde it as formerly is said some vse for this purpose a paire of compasses to giue the true measure both of bud and stocke this manner of grafting is most vsed vpon greater trees whose young branches are too high to graft vpon in the former maner and whose tops they cut off for the most part at the latter end of the next yeare after the bud is taken both these waies were inuented to saue the losse of trees which are more endangered by grafting in the stocke then any of these waies and besides by these waies you may graft at a farre grea height without losse CHAP. V. Of the manner of grafting and propagating all sorts of Roses HAuing now spoken of the grafting of trees let mee adioyne the properties of Roses which although they better fit a Garden then an Orchard yet I could not in a fitter place expresse them then here both for the name and affinity of grafting because I do not expresse it in the first part All sorts of Roses may be grafted although all sorts are not some seruing rather for stockes for others to be grafted on as easily as any other tree is only performed by inoculating in the same maner I haue set downe in the former Chapter of grafting trees in the bud for both stocke and budde must bee dealt with after the same fashion And although some haue boasted of grafting Roses by slicing or whipping as they call it or in the stocke after the first manner set downe in the former Chapter yet I thinke it rather a bragge not hauing seene or heard any true effect proceede from that relation The sweete Briar or Eglantine the white and the Damaske Roses are the chiefest stockes to graft vpon And if you graft lowe or neare the ground you may by laying downe that graft within the ground after it hath bin shot out well and of a years growth by pinning it fast downe with short stickes a thwart or acrosse cause that grafted branch by taking roote to become a naturall Rose such as the graft was which being separated and transplanted after it hath taken root wel will prosper as well as any naturall sucker And in this maner by laying downe branchese at length into the ground if they be full of spreading small branches you may increase all sorts of Roses quickly and plentifully for they will shoote forth rootes at the ioynt of euery branch But as for the manner of grafting white Roses or Damaske vpon Broome stalkes or Barbary bushes to cause them to bring forth double yellow Roses or vpon a Willowe to beare greene Roses they are all idle conceits as impossible to be effected as other things whereof I haue spoken in the ninth Chapter of my first part concerning a Garden of flowers vnto which I referre you to be satisfied with the reasons there alledged And it is the more needlesse because we haue a naturall double yellow Rose of it owne growing The sowing of the seedes of Roses which are sometimes found vpon most sorts of Roses although not euery yeare and in euerie place hath bin formerly much vsed but now the laying downe of the young shootes is a way for increase so much vsed being safe and verie speedie to take especially for those Roses that are not so apt to giue suckers that it
these diuersities euerie yeare growing vpon it the fruit is of a very red colour and good taste The great Rose Cherry or double blossomd Cherry differeth not in anything from the English Cherrie but only in the blossomes which are very thicke of white leaues as great and double as the double white Crowfoote before remembred and somtimes out of the middle of them will spring another smaller flower but double also this seldome beareth fruit but when it doth I suppose it commeth from those blossomes are the least double and is red no bigger then our ordinary English cherrie The lesser Rose or double blossomd Cherrie beareth double flowers also but not so thicke and double as the former but beareth fruit more plentifully of the same colour and bignesse with the former The Dwarfe Cherrie is of two sorts one whose branches fall downe low round about the body of it with small greene leaues and fruit as small of a deep red colour The other whose branches although small grow more vpright hauing greener shining leaues the fruit is little bigger then the former red also when it is ripe with a little point at the end both of them of a sweetith rellish but more sower The great bearing Cherry of Master Millen is a reasonable great red cherry bearing very plentifully although it bee planted against a North wall yet it will bee late ripe but of an indifferent sweet and good rellish The long finger Cherry is another small long red one being long round like a finger wherof it took the name this is not the Vrinall cherry before but differing from it The Vse of Cherries All these sorts of Cherries serue wholly to please the palate and are eaten at all times both before and after meales All Cherries are cold yet the sower more then the sweete and although the sweete doe most please yet the sower are more wholsome if there bee regard taken in the vsing The Agriot or sower Cherries are in France much vsed to bee dryed as is said before as Pruines are and so serue to ministred to be the sick in all hot diseases as feuers c. being both boyled in their drinkes and taken now and then of themselues which by reason of their tartnesse doe please the stomacke passing well The Gum of the Cherrie tree is commended to bee good for those are troubled with the grauell or stone It is also good for the cough being dissolued in liquour and stirreth vp an appetite The distilled water of the blacke Cherries the stones being broken among them is vsed for the same purpose for the grauell stone and winde CHAP. XIII Prunus The Plumme tree THere are many more varieties of Plummes then of Cherries so that I must follow the same order with these that I did with them euen giue you their names apart with briefe notes vpon them and one description to serue for all the rest And in this recitall I shall leaue out the Apricockes which are certainly a kind of Plum of an especiall difference and not of a Peach as Galen and some others haue thought and set them in a chapter by themselues and only in this see down those fruits are vsually called Plums The Plum tree especially diuers of them riseth in time to bee a reasonable tall and great tree whose bodie and greater armes are couered with a more rugged barke yet in some more or lesse the younger branches being smooth in all the leaues are somewhat rounder then those of the Cherrie tree and much differing among themselues some being longer or larger or rounder then others and many that are exercised herein can tell by the leafe what Plum the tree beareth I speake this of many not of all as in many Cherries they can doe the like the flowers are white consisting of fiue leaues the fruit is as variable in forme as in taste or colour some being ovall or Peare fashion or Almond like or sphericall or round some firme some soft and waterish some sweete some sower or harsh or differing from all these tastes and some white others blacke some red others yellow some purple others blew as they shall bee briefly set downe vnto you in the following lines where I meane not to insert any the wilde or hedge fruit but those only are fit for an Orchard to be stored with good fruit and of all which sorts the choysest for goodnesse and rarest for knowledge are to be had of my very good friend Master Iohn Tradescante who hath wonderfully laboured to obtaine all the rarest fruits hee can heare off in any place of Christendome Turky yea or the whole world as also with Master Iohn Millen dwelling in Olde streete who from Iohn Tradescante and all others that haue had good fruit hath stored himselfe with the best only and he can sufficiently furnish any The Amber Primordian Plumme is an indifferent faire Plumme early ripe of a pale yellowish colour and of a waterish taste not pleasing The red Primordian Plumme is of a reasonable size long and round reddish on the outside of a more dry taste and ripe with the first sorts in the beginning of August The blew Primordian is a small plumme almost like the Damascene and is subiect to drop off from the tree before it be ripe The white Date Plum is no very good plum The red Date plumme is a great long red pointed plumme and late ripe little better then the white The blacke Mussell plumme is a good plumme reasonable drye and tasteth well The red Mussell Plumme is somewhat flat as well as round of a very good taste and is ripe about the middle of August The white Mussell plumme is like the redde but somewhat smaller and of a whitish greene colour but not so well tasted The Imperiall plum is a great long reddish plum very waterish and ripeneth somewhat late The Gaunt plum is a great round reddish plum ripe somewhat late and eateth waterish The red Pescod plum is a reasonable good plum The white Pescod plum is a reasonable good rellished plumme but somewhat waterish The greene Pescod plum is a reasonable big and long pointed plum and ripe in the beginning of September The Orenge plum is a yellowish plum moist and somewhat sweetish The Morocco plumme is blacke like a Damson well tasted and somewhat drye in eating The Dine plum is a late ripe plum great and whitish speckled all ouer The Turkie plum is a large long blackish plum and somewhat flat like the Mussell plum a well rellished dry plum The Nutmeg plumme is no bigger then a Damson and is of a greenish yellow colour when it is ripe which is with vs about Bartholmew tide and is a good plum The Perdigon plumme is a dainty good plumme early blackish and well rellished The Verdoch plum is a great fine greene shining plum fit to preserue The Ienua plum is the white Date plum before remembred The Barberry plum is a great early blacke plum and well tasted The
height in many places with a great straight bodie couered with a grayish greene barke the younger branches are set round about with very narrow long whitish greene leaues which fall away from the elder but abide on the younger being both winter and summer alwaies greene It hath growing in sundry places on the branches certaine great hard wooddy clogs called of some apples of others nuts composed of many hard wooddy scales or tuberous knobs which abide for the most part alwaies greene in our Countrey and hardly become brownish as in other Countries where they haue more heat and comfort of the Sun and where the scales open themselues wherein are contained white long and round kernels very sweete while they are fresh but quickely growing oylely and rancide The Vse of the Pine apples and kernels The Cones or Apples are vsed of diuers Vintners in this City being painted to expresse a bunch of grapes whereunto they are very like and are hung vp in their bushes as also to fasten keyes vnto them as is seene in many places The kernels within the hard shels while they are fresh or newly taken out are vsed many waies both with Apothecaries Comfit-makers and Cookes for of them are made medicines good to lenifie the pipes and passages of the lungs and throate when it is hoarse Of them are made Comfits Pastes Marchpanes and diuers other such like And with them a cunning Cooke can make diuers Keck shoses for his Masters table Matthiolus commendeth the water of the greene apples distilled to take away the wrinkles in the face to abate the ouer-swelling breasts of Maidens by fomenting them after with linnen clothes wet in the water and to restore such as are rauisht into better termes 4. Abies The Firre tree THe Firre tree groweth naturally higher then any other tree in these parts of Christendome where no Cedars grow and euen equalling or ouer-topping the Pine the stemme or bodie is bare without branches for a great height if they bee elder trees and then branching forth at one place of the bodie foure wayes in manner of a crosse those boughes againe hauing two branches at euery ioynt on which are set on all sides very thicke together many small narrow long hard whitish greene leaues and while they are young tending to yellownesse but nothing so long or hard or sharpe pointed as the Pine tree leaues growing smaller and shorter to the end of the branches the bloomings are certaine small long scaly catkins of a yellowish colour comming forth at the ioynts of the branches which fall away the cones are smaller and longer then of the Pine tree wherein are small three square seede contained not halfe so big as the Pine kernels The Vse of the Firre tree The vse of this tree is growne with vs of late daies to bee more frequent for the building of houses then euer before for hereof namely of Deale timber and Deale boords are framed many houses and their floores without the helpe of any other timber or boord of any other tree almost as also for many other workes and purposes The yellow Rossen that is vsed as well to make salues as for many other common vses is taken from this tree as the Pitch is both from the Pitch and Pine trees and is boyled to make it to bee hard but was at the first a yellow thin cleere Turpentine and is that best sort of common Turpentine is altogether in vse with vs as also another more thicke whitish and troubled both which are vsed in salues both for man and beast but not inwardly as the cleere white Venice Turpentine is and serueth both to draw cleanse and heale Dodonaeus seemeth to say that the cleere white Turpentine called Venice Turpentine is drawn from the Firre but Matthiolus confuteth that opinion which Fulsius also held before him 5. Ilex arbor The euer-greene Oake THe Ilex or euer-greene Oake riseth in time to be a very great tree but very long and slow in growing as is to be seene in the Kings priuy Garden at Whitehall growing iust against the backe gate that openeth into the way going to Westminster and in some other places spreading many fair large great armes and branches whereon are set small and hard greene leaues somewhat endented or cornered and 1 Piaus The Pine tree 2 Abies The Firre tree 3 Ilex The euer greene Oake 4 Cupressus The Cipresse tree 5 Arbutus The Strawberry tree 6 Alaternus The euer greene Priuet prickly on the edges especially in the young trees and sometimes on those branches that are young and newly sprung forth from the elder rootes but else in a manner all smooth in the elder growne abiding greene all the winter as well as summer and are of a grayish greene on the vnderside It beareth in the spring time certaine slender long branches like as other Okes doe with small yellowish mossie flowers on them which fall away and are vnprofitable the acornes not growing from those places but from others which are like vnto those of our ordinary Oake but smaller and blacker and set in a more rugged huske or cuppe This and no other kinde of Ilex doe I know to grow in all our land in any Garden or Orchard for that kind with long and narrower leaues and not prickly growing so plentifully as Matthiolus saith in Tuscane I haue not seen and it is very probable to bee the same that Plinie remembreth to haue the leafe of an Oliue but not as some would haue it that Smilax Theophrastus maketh mention of in his third Booke and sixteenth Chapter of his Historie of Plants which the Arcadians so called and had the leafe of the Ilex but not prickly for Theophrastus saith the timber of Smilax is smooth and soft and this of the Ilex is harder and stronger then an Oake The Vse of the Ilex or euer-greene Oake Seeing this is to be accounted among the kindes of Oake and all Oakes by Dioscorides his opinion are binding it is also of the same qualitie but a little weaker and may serue to strengthen weake members The young tops and leaues are also vsed in gargles for the mouth and throate 6 Cupressus The Cypresse tree THe Cypresse tree that is noursed vp by vs in our Country doth grow in those places where it hath beene long planted to a very great height whose bodie and boughes are couered with a reddish ash-coloured bark the branches grow not spreading but vpright close vnto the bodie bushing thicke below and small vpwards spire fashion those below reaching neere halfe the way to them aboue whereon doe grow euer greene leaues small long and flat of a resinous sweete smell and strong taste somewhat bitter the fruit which are called nuts grow here and there among the boughes sticking close vnto them which are small and clouen into diuers parts but close while they are young of a russetish browne colour wherein are contained small browne seede but not so small as motes in the
rarity and ornament to a Garden or Orchard no bodie that I can heare of hauing made any tryall of the Physicall properties 22. Vitis seu potius Hedera Virginensis The Virginia Vine or rather Iuie THis slender but tall climing Virginia Vine as it was first called but Iuie as it doth better resemble riseth out of the ground with diuers stems none much bigger then a mans thumbe many lesse from whence shoote forth many long weake branches not able to stand vpright vnlesse they be sustained yet planted neere vnto a wall or pale the branches at seuerall distances of the leaues will shoote forth small short tendrels not twining themselues about any thing but ending into foure fiue or six or more small short and somewhat broad clawes which will fasten like a hand with fingers so close thereunto that it will bring part of the wall morter or board away with it if it be pulled from it and thereby stay it selfe to climbe vp to the toppe of the highest chimney of a house being planted thereat the leaues are crumpled or rather folded together at the first comming forth and very red which after growing forth are very faire large and greene diuided into foure fiue six or seuen leaues standing together vpon a small foote-stalke set without order on the branches at the ends whereof as also at other places sometime come forth diuers short tufts of buds for flowers but we could neuer see them open themselues to shew what manner of flower it would be or what fruit would follow in our country the roote spreadeth here and there and not very deepe The Vse of this Virginian We know of no other vse but to furnish a Garden and to encrease the number of rarities And thus haue I finished this worke and furnished it with whatsoeuer Art and Nature concurring could effect to bring delight to those that liue in our Climate and take pleasure in such things which how well or ill done I must abide euery ones censure the iudicious and courteous I onely respect let Momus bite his lips and eate his heart and so Farewell FINIS Index omnium stirpium quae in hoc opere continentur A ABies page 600 Abrotanum foeminum siue Santolina 449 Acanthus Acâ—leâ—tâ—s 330 Acanthus sativus â—bid Acer manis siue Sycomorus 610 Acetosa 486 Aconitum bacciferum i. e. Christophoriana Aconitum flore albido 214 Aconitum hyemale ibid. Aconitum luteum Ponticum ibid. Aconitum salutiferum 216 Admirabilis pervana 364 Aethiopis 385 Agluophotis i.e. Paeonia Alaternus 603 Albucum 148 Alcea Aegyptia siue Bamia 369 Alcea Americana 368 Alcea fruticosa pentaphyllea ib. Alcea peregrina siue veficaria ib. Alisma Dodonaei i.e. Saponaria Alisma Dioscoridis Fab. Columna i. e. Auricula Vrsi Alisma syluarum i.e. Paralysis Allium 613 Althaea frutex 369 Amaracus i.e. Maiorana Amarella i.e. Matricaria Amaranthus panniculis sparsis 371 Amaranthus purpureus ib. Amaranthus tricolor ib. Amaranthus luteus i.e. Heliocrysum Ambreboi i.e. Cyanus Orientalis Amellus Virgilij i.e. Aster Atticus Italorum Amomum Plinij i.e. Pseudocapsicum Dodonaei Amygdalus 583 Anagyris altera i.e. Laburnum Anchusa 251 Anemone eiusque species 199 ad 214 Anâ—thum 494. Angelica 529 Anthemis flore luteo 294 Anthemis Leucanthemis i.e. Chamemaelum Anthericos 148 Anthora 494 Antimclum i.c. Mandragoras Antirrhinum 269 Apium 491 Apocynum Syriacum 444 Apocynum Virginianum 445 Aquilegia 271 Arbor Alpina Plinij i.e. Laburnum Arbor Iudae 437 Arbor Vitae 438 Arbuâ—us 603 Argyrocome i.e. Gnaphalium Americanum Armerius 319 Armoraria pratensis 256 Armoraria altera i.e. Muscipula Lobelij Arthanita i e. Cyclamen Arthritica i.e. Paralysis Arundo Indica siue Canna Indica 376 Asarum 532 Asparagus 503 Asphodelus bulbosus albus 138 Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni ibid. Asphodelus hyacinthinus i.e. bulbosus Asphodelus maior albus 146 Asphodelus minor luteus i.e. Hastula regia Aster Atticus Italorum 299 Aster Pervanus Columnae i.e. Battatas de Canada Attamusco i.e. Narcissus Virginianus Atriplex i.e. Olus aureum Avellana Byzantina Aurelia i.e. Chrysocome Auricula muris maior i.e. Pulmonaria Gallorum Auricula Vrsi eiusque species 235 B BAlaustium 430 Balsamina faemina Balsamella 278 Balsamita mas faemina 482 Balsamum alpinum i.e. Ledum alpinum 424 Bamia i.e. Alcea Aegyptia Baptisecula i.e. Cyanus Barba hirci i.e. Tragopogon Battatas Hispanorum Virginianum Canadense 518 Behen rubrum i. Valeriana rubra Dodonaei Bellis caerulea siue Glebularia 321 Bellis maior flore pleno 322 Bellis minor flore pleno eiusque species ibid. Belvidere Italorum i. Scoparia siue Linaria magna 268 Ben rubrum Monspeliense i. Muscipula Lobelij Berberis 561 Beta 488 Binizade Binizante i. Anemone tenuifolia Blattaria 383 Blito di tre colori 372 Blitum 488 Bolbonach i. Viola lunaris latifolia 26â— Borrago Borrago semper virens 249 Botanaria i. Globularia Branca vrsina i. Acanthus sativus Brassica eiusque species 503 Bubonium siue Inguinalis i. Aster Atticus Italorum Bulbus agrestis i. Colchicum Buccinum Romanorum i. Delphinium Bulbus Eriophorus 124 Bulbus esculentus Lacunae i. Ornithogalum luteum 140 Bulbus Leucanthemos i. Ornithogalum album Bulbus vnifolius 140 Bulbus vomitorius Matthioli i. Muscari Buglossum 249 Buglossum Hispanicum i. Anchusa Buglossum luteum 486 Bunias dulcis i. Napus 509 Buphthalmum 293 Buphthalmum maius i. Helleborus niger ferulaceus Buxus arbor Buxus humilis Buxus verficoribus folijs 606 C CAcalia Loniceri i. Lilium Conuallium Calcaris flos i. Delphinium Calceolus Mariae 367 Calendula maxima simplex 296. 298 Callionymus Gesneri i. Lilium conuallium Caltha i. Calendula Caltha Africana i. Flos Africanus Caltha palustris flore pleno 224 Camomilla vulgaris flore pleno 290 Campanula maior pyramidalis 354 Campana lazura i. Convolvulus caeruleus maior 359 Campanula perficifolia alba caerulea 353 Canicida i. Aconitum luteum Ponticum Canis cerebrum i. Antirrhinum Cannacorus i. Canna Indica Canna Indicaflore luteo punctato 376 Canna Indica flore rubro ibid. Cantabrica Plinij i. Caryophyllus Capnos fabacea radice i. Radix caua minor 275 Caprifolium perfoliatum siue Italicum 405 Cardamine flore pleno trifolia 389 Carduus benedictus 530 Carduus Eriocephalus i. tomentosus 332 Carduus mollis 330 Carlina humilis 332 Carthamus siue Cnicus sativus 329 Carum 515 Caryophylli maiores maximi 316 Caryophylli syluestres 314 Caryophyllus marinus mediterraneus 317 Caryophyllus Indicus i. Flos Africanus Cassaua i. Iucca 434 Cavala lale i. Tulipae praecoces Caffalale i. Tulipae mediae Caucafon i. Moly Indicum Caulis vulgaris Crispa Subaudica 504 Caulis florida ibid Caulo rapum ibid. Cedrus Lycia 436 Celastrus 603 Cepa alba rubra c. 510 Cerasa Indiana 432 Cerasus flore pleno 402 Cerasorum diuersitas 571 Cerasus Trapezuntina i. Laurocerasus Cercis 437 Cerefolium maius vulgare 494 Cervicaria i. Trachelium Chamaecistus Frisicus 424 Chamaecyparissus i. Santolina Chamaedaphne 498
vpon the greene leaues or as little as may be and by this onely way haue they been better defended from the frosts that spoile them in Winter then by any other that I haue seen or knowne The windes in March and Sunneshine dayes then are one of the greatest inconueniences that happeneth vnto them for they that haue had hundreds of plants that haue kept faire and greene all the Winter vntill the beginning or middle of March before the end thereof haue had scarce one of many that either hath not vtterly perished or been so tainted that quickly after haue not been lost which hath happened chiefly by the neglect of these cautions before specified or in not defending them from the bitter sharpe windes and sunne in this moneth of March You shall therefore for their better preseruation besides the litter laid about the rootes which I aduise you not to remoue as yet shelter them somewhat from the windes with eyther bottomlesse pots pales or such like things to keep away the violent force both of windes and sun for that moneth and for sometime before after it also yet so that they be not couered close aboue but open to receiue ayre raine Some also vse to wind withes of hey or straw about the rootes of their Gilloflowers and fasten them with stickes thrust into the ground which serue very well in the stead of the other Thus haue I shewed you the whole preseruation of these worthy and dainty flowers with the whole manner of ordering them for their encrease if any one haue any other better way I shall be as willing to learne it of them as I haue beene to giue them or any others the knowledge of that I haue here set downe CHAP. IX That there is not any art whereby any flower may be made to grow double that was naturally single nor of any other sent or colour than it first had by nature nor that the sowing or planting of herbes one deeper than other will cause them to be in flower one after another euery moneth in the yeare THe wonderfull desire that many haue to see faire double and sweete flowers hath transported them beyond both reason and nature feigning and boasting often of what they would haue as if they had it And I thinke from this desire and boasting hath risen all the false tales and reports of making flowers double as they list and of giuing them colour and sent as they please and to flower likewise at what time they will I doubt not but that some of these errours are ancient and continued long by tradition and others are of later inuention and therefore the more to be condemned that men of wit and iudgement in these dayes should expose themselues in their writings to be rather laughed at then beleeued for such idle tales And although in the contradiction of them I know I shall vndergoe many calumnies yet notwithstanding I will endeauour to set downe and declare so much as I hope may by reason perswade many in the truth although I cannot hope of all some being so strongly wedded to their owne will and the errours they haue beene bred in that no reason may alter them First therefore I say that if there were any art to make some flowers to grow double that naturally were single by the same art all sorts of flowers that are single by nature may be made to grow double but the sorts of flowers that are single by nature whereof some are double were neuer made double by art for many sorts abide still single whereof there was neuer seene double and therefore there is no such art in any mans knowledge to bring it to passe If any man shall say that because there are many flowers double whereof there are single also of the same kinâ—â— as for example Violets Marigolds Daisyes Daffodils Anemones and many other that therefore those double flowers were so made by the art of man viz. by the obseruation of the change of the Moone the constellations or coniunctions of Planets or some other Starres or celestiall bodies Although I doe confesse and acknowledge that I thinke some constellations and peraduenture changes of the Moone c. were appointed by the God of nature as conducing and helping to the making of those flowers double that nature hath so produced yet I doe deny that any man hath or shall euer be able to proue that it was done by any art of man or that any man can tell the true causes and seasons what changes of the Moone or constellations of the Planets wrought together for the producing of those double flowers or can imitate nature or rather the God of nature to doe the like If it shall bee demanded From whence then came these double flowers that we haue if they were not so made by art I answer that assuredly all such flowers did first grow wilde and were so found double as they doe now grow in Gardens but for how long before they were found they became double no man can tell we onely haue them as nature hath produced them and so they remaine Againe if any shall say that it is likely that these double flowers were forced so to be by the often planting and transplanting of them because it is obserued in most of them that if they stand long in any one place and not be often remoued they will grow still lesse double and in the end turne single I doe confesse that Facilior est descensus quà m ascensus and that the vnfruitfulnesse of the ground they are planted in or the neglect or little care had of them or the growing of them too thicke or too long are oftentimes a cause of the diminishing of the flowers doublenesse but withall you shall obserue that the same rootes that did beare double flowers and not any other that neuer were double before haue returned to their former doublenesse againe by good ordering and looking vnto single flowers haue only beene made somewhat fairer or larger by being planted in the richer and more fruitfull ground of the Garden than they were found wilde by nature but neuer made to grow double as that which is naturally so found of it selfe For I will shew you mine owne experience in the matter I haue been as inquisitiue as any man might be with euery one I knew that made any such report or that I thought could say any thing therein but I neuer could finde any one that could assuredly resolue me that he knew certainly any such thing to be done all that they could say was but report for the obseruation of the Moone to remoue plants before the change that is as some say the full of the Moone others the new Moone whereupon I haue made tryall at many times and in many sorts of plants accordingly and as I thought fit by planting transplanting them but I could neuer see the effect desired but rather in many of them the losse of my plants And
likewise to beare two or three rowes or crownes of flowers one aboue another vpon one stalke which is seldome and scarce seene and besides is but meere accidentall the whole plant and euery part thereof as well rootes as leaues and flowers doe smell somewhat strong as it were the sauour of a Foxe so that if any doe but come neare it he cannot but smell it which yet is not vnwholsome I haue not obserued any variety in the colour of this flower more then that it will be fairer in a cleare open ayre and paler or as it were blasted in a muddy or smoakie ayre And although some haue boasted of one with white flowers yet I could neuer heare that any such hath endured in one vniforme colour The Place This plant was first brought from Constantinople into these Christian Countries and by the relation of some that sent it groweth naturally in Persia The Time It flowreth most commonly in the end of March if the weather be milde and springeth not out of the ground vntill the end of February or beginning of March so quicke it is in the springing the heads with seed are ripe in the end of May. The Names It is of some called Lilium Persicum the Persian Lilly but because wee haue another which is more vsually called by that name as shall be shewed in the next Chapter I had rather with Alphonsus Pancius the Duke of Florence his Physitian who first sent the figure thereof vnto M sr Iohn de Brancion call it Corona Imperialis The Crowne Imperiall then by any other name as also for that this name is now more generally receiued It hath been sent also by the name Tusai and Tuschai and Turfani or Turfanda being as it is like the Turkish names The Vertues For any Physicall Vertues that are in it I know of none nor haue heard that any hath been found out notwithstanding the strong sent would perswade it might be applyed to good purpose CHAP. II. Lilium Persicum The Persian Lilly THe roote of the Persian Lilly is very like vnto the root of the Crowne Imperiall and losing his fibres in like maner euery yeare hauing a hole therin likewise where the old stalke grew but whiter rounder and a little longer smaller and not stinking at all like it from whence springeth vp a round whitish greene stalke not 1 Corona Imperialis The Crowne Imperiall 2 Liliuâ—â— Persicum The Persian Lilly 3 Martagon Imperiale The Martagon Imperiall much lower than the Crowne Imperiall but much smaller beset from the bottome to the middle thereof with many long and narrow leaues of a whitish or blewish greene colour almost like to the leafe of a Tulipa from the middle vpwards to the toppe of the stalke stand many flowers one aboue another round about it with leaues at the foote of euery one of them each whereof is pendulous or hanging downe the head like vnto the Crowne Imperiall and not turning vp any of the flowers againe but smaller than in any other kinde of Lilly yea not so bigge as the flower of a Fritillaria consisting of sixe leaues a peece of a dead or ouerworne purplish colour hauing in the midst a small long pointell with certaine chiues tipt with yellow pendents after the flowers are past which abide open a long time and for the most part flower by degrees the lowest first and so vpwards if the weather be temperate come sixe square heads or seede vessels seeming to be but three square by reason of the wings very like to the heads of the Crowne Imperiall but smaller and shorter wherein are contained such like flat seed but smaller also and of a darker colour The Place This was as it is thought first brought from Persia vnto Constantinople and from thence sent vnto vs by the meanes of diuers Turkie Merchants and in especiall by the procurement of Mr. Nicholas Lete a worthy Merchant and a louer of all faire flowers The Time It springeth out of the ground very neare a moneth before the Crowne Imperiall but doth not flower till it bee quite past that is to say not vntill the latter end of Aprill or beginning of May the seed when it doth come to perfection as it seldome doth is not ripe vntill Iuly The Names It hath been sent by the name of Pennachio Persiano and wee thereupon doe most vsually call it Lilium Persicum The Persian Lilly Clusius saith it hath been sent into the Low-Countries vnder the name of Susam giul and he thereupon thinking it came from Susis in Persia called it Lilium Susianum The Lilly of Susis The Vertues Wee haue not yet heard that this hath beene applyed for any Physicall respect CHAP. III. Martagon Imperiale siue Lilium Montanum maius The Martagon Imperiall VNder this title of Lilium Montanum or Lilium Siluestre I do comprehend only those kindes of Lillies which carry diuers circles of greene leaues set together at certaine distances round about the stalke and not sparsedly as the two former and as other kindes that follow doe And although there bee many of this sort yet because their chiefest difference is in the colour of the flower wee will containe them all in one Chapter and begin with the most stately of them all because of the number of flowers it beareth vpon one stalke The Imperiall Lilly hath a scaly roote like vnto all the rest of the Lillies but of a paler yellow colour closely compact or set together being short and small oftentimes in comparison of the greatnesse of the stemme growing from it The stalke is brownish and round at the bottome and sometimes flat from the middle vpwards three foote high or more beset at certaine distances with rondles or circles of many broad leaues larger and broader for the most part than any other of this kinde and of a darke green colour It hath two or three and sometimes foure of these rondles or circles of leaues and bare without any leafe betweene but aboue toward the tops of the stalkes it hath here and there some leaues vpon it but smaller than any of the other leaues at the toppe of the stalke come forth many flowers sometime three or foure score thicke thrust or confusedly set together and not thinne or sparsedly one aboue another as in the lesser of this kinde of Mountaine Lilly It hath been sometimes also obserued in this kinde that it hath borne manie flowers at three seuerall spaces of the stalke one aboue another which hath made a goodly shew each flower whereof is pendulous hanging downe and each leafe of the flower turning vp againe being thicke or fleshy of a fine delayed purple colour spotted with many blackish or brownish spots of a very pleasant sweet sent which maketh it the more acceptable in the middle of the flower hangeth downe a stile or pointell knobbed or buttoned at the end with sixe yellow chiues tipt with loose pendents of an Orient red or Vermillion colour which will easily sticke
number of small long and narrow greene leaues very like vnto the leaues of Pinkes but greener set very thicke together and without order about the stalke vp almost vnto the toppe and lesser by degrees vpwards where stand many flowers according to the age of the plant and thriuing in the place where it groweth in those that are young but a few and more sparsedly and in others that are old many more and thicker set for I haue reckoned threescore flowers and more growing thicke together on one plant with mee and an hundred flowers on another these flowers are of a pale or yellowish red colour and not so deep red as the red Martagon of Constantinople hereafter set down nor fully so large yet of the same fashion that is euery flower hanging downe and turning vp his leaues againe It is not so plentifull in bearing of seede as the other Lillies but when it doth it differeth not but in being lesse 2. Martagon angusti folium magis serotinum There is another whose greene leaues are not so thicke set on the stalke but else differeth not but in flowring a fortnight later There is another also of this kind so like vnto the former in root stalk flower maner of growing 3. Martagon Pomponeum latifolium praecox that the difference is hardly discerned but consisteth chiefly in these two points First that the leaues of this are a little broader and shorter then the former and secondly that it beareth his flowers a fortnight earlier than the first In the colour or forme of the flower there can no difference bee discerned nor as I said in any other thing All these Lillies doe spring very late out of the ground euen as the yellow Martagons doe but are sooner in flower then any others 4. Martagon flore phaeniceo A fourth kinde hereof hath of late been knowne to vs whose leaues are broader and shorter then the last and the flowers of a paler red tending to yellow of some called a golden red colour but flowreth not so early as they 2. Lilium rubrum Byzantinum siue Martagon Constantinopolitanum The red Martagon of Constantinople 1. The red Martagon of Constantinople is become so common euery where and so well knowne to all louers of these delights that I shall seeme vnto them to lose time to bestow many lines vpon it yet because it is so faire a flower and was at the first so highly esteemed it deserueth his place and commendations howsoeuer encreasing the plenty hath not made it dainty It riseth out of the ground early in the spring before many other Lillies from a great thicke yellow scaly root bearing a round brownish stalke beset with many faire greene leaues confusedly thereon but not so broad as the common white Lilly vpon the toppe whereof stand one two or three or more flowers vpon long footestalkes which hang downe their heads and turne vp their leaues againe of an excellent red crimson colour and sometimes paler hauing a long pointell in the middle compassed with sixe whitish chiues tipt with loose yellow pendents of a reasonable good sent but somewhat faint It likewise beareth seede in heads like vnto the other but greater Martagon Constantinopolitanum maculatum The red spotted Martagon of Constantinople We haue another of this kinde that groweth somewhat greater and higher with a larger flower and of a deeper colour spotted with diuers blacke spots or strakes and lines as is to be seene in the Mountaine Lillies and in some other hereafter to be described but is not so in the former of this kinde which hath no shew of spots at all The whole plant as it is rare so it is of much more beauty then the former 2. Martagon Pannonicum siue Exoticum flore spadiceo The bright red Martagon of Hungarie Although this Martagon or Lilly bee of another Countrey yet by reason of the neerenesse both in leafe and flower vnto the former may more fitly be placed next vnto them then in any other place It hath his roote very like the other but the leaues are somewhat larger and more sparsedly set vpon the stalke else not much vnlike the flowers bend downe and turne vp their leaues againe but somewhat larger and of a bright red tending to an Orenge colour that is somewhat yellowish and not crimson like the other 3. Martagon Luteum punctatum The Yellow spotted Martagon 1. This Yellow Martagon hath a great scaly or cloued roote and yellow like vnto all these sorts of turning Lillies from whence springeth vp a round greene strong stalke three foote high at the least confusedly set with narrow long greene leaues white on the edges vp to the very toppe thereof almost hauing diuers flowers on the head turning vp againe as the former doe of a faint yellowish or greenish yellow colour with many blacke spots or strakes about the middle of the leafe of euery flower and a forked pointell with sixe chiues about it tipt with reddish pendents of a heauie strong smell not very pleasant to many It beareth seede very plentifully in great heads like vnto the other former Lillies but a little paler 2. Martagon Luteum non maculatum The Yellow Martagon without spots The other yellow Martagon differeth in no other thing from the former but onely that it hath no spots at all vpon any of the leaues of the flowers agreeing with the former in colour forme height and all things else 3. Martagon Luteum serotinum The late flowring Yellow Martagon There is yet another yellow Martagon that hath no other difference then the time of his flowring which is not vntill Iuly vnlesse in this that the flower is of a deeper yellow colour The Place The knowledge of the first kindes of these early Martagons hath come from Italy from whence they haue bin sent into the Low-Countries and to vs and as it seemeth by the name whereby they haue bin sent by some into these parts his originall should be from the mountaines in Macedonia The second sort is sufficiently knowne by his name being first brought from Constantinople his naturall place being not farre from thence as it is likely But the next sort of this second kinde doth plainly tell vs his place of birth to be the mountaines of Pannonia or Hungarie The third kindes grow on the Pyrenaean mountaines where they haue been searched out and found by diuers louers of plants as also in the Kingdome of Naples The Time The first early Martagons flower in the end of May or beginning of Iune and that is a moneth at the least before those that come from Constantinople which is the second kinde The two first yellow Martagons flower somewhat more early then the early red Martagons and sometimes at the same time with them But the third yellow Martagon as is said flowreth a moneth later or more and is in flower when the red Martagon of Constantinople flowreth And although the early red and yellow Martagons spring later
also of a more pale greene and sometime of a more yellow colour the outside of the flowers doe likewise vary for in some the outside of the leaues are of a darke sullen yellow c. else more pale yellow and in other of a darke purplish yellow colour which in some is so deepe and so much that it rather seemeth blacke then purple or yellow and this especially about the bottome of the flower next vnto the stalke but the edges are still of a yellowish greene the head of seede and the seede likewise is like vnto the former but bigger in all respects 12. Fritillaria Hispanica vmbellifera The Spanish blacke Fritillaria This Fritillaria is no doubt of kindred to the last recited it is so like but greater in all parts thereof as if growing in a more fruitfull soile it were the stronger and lustier to beare more store of flowers the flowers grow foure or fiue from the head together hanging downe round about the stalke like vnto a Crowne Imperiall and are of a yellowish greene colour on the inside spotted with a few red spots the outside being blackish as the former The Place The first of these plants was first brought to our knowledge from France where it groweth plentifully about Orleance the other sorts grow in diuers other Countries as some in Portugall Spaine Italy c. as their names doe import and as in time they haue been obserued by those that were curious searchers of these rarities haue been sent to vs. The Time The early kindes doe flower in the beginning of Aprill or thereabouts according to the mildenesse or sharpenesse of the precedent Winter The other doe flower after the first are past for a moneths space one after another and the great yellow is very late not flowring vntill about the middle or end of May. The Names This hath receiued diuers names some calling it Flos Meleagridis the Ginny Hen Flower of the variety of the colours in the flower agreeing with the feathers of that Bird. Some call it Narcissus Caparonius of the name of the first inuentor or finder thereof called Noel Caperon an Apothecary dwelling in Orleance at the time he first found it and was shortly after the finding thereof taken away in the Massacre in France It is now generally called Fritillaria of the word Fritillus which diuers doe take for the Chesse borde or table whereon they play whereunto by reason of the resemblance of the great squares or spots so like it they did presently referre it It is called by Lobel Lilionarcissus purpureus variegatus tessulatus making it a kinde of Tulipa but as I said in the beginning of the Chapter it doth most neerely resemble a small pendulous Lilly and might therefore rightly hold the name of Lilium variegatum or in English the checkerd Lilly But because the errour which first referred it to a Daffodill is growne strong by custome of continuance I leaue to euery one their owne will to call it in English eyther Fritillaria as it is called of most or the checkerd Daffodill or the Ginnie Hen flower or as I doe the checkerd Lilly I shall not neede in this place further to explaine the seuerall names of euery of them hauing giuen you them in their titles The Vertues I haue not found or heard by any others of any property peculiar in this plant to be applied either inwardly or outwardly for any disease the chiefe or onely vse thereof is to be an ornament for the Gardens of the curious louers of these delights and to be worne of them abroad which for the gallant beauty of many of them deserueth their courteous entertainment among many other the like pleasures CHAP. VIII Tulipa The Turkes Cap. NExt vnto the Lillies and before the Narcissi or Daffodils the discourse of Tulipas deserueth his place for that it partaketh of both their natures agreeing with the Lillies in leaues flowers and seede and somewhat with the Daffodils in rootes There are not onely diuers kindes of Tulipas but sundry diuersities of colours in them found out in these later dayes by many the searchers of natures varieties which haue not formerly been obserued our age being more delighted in the search curiosity and rarities of these pleasant delights then any age I thinke before But indeede this flower aboue many other deserueth his true commendations and acceptance with all louers of these beauties both for the stately aspect and for the admirable varietie of colours that daily doe arise in them farre beyond all other plants that grow in so much that I doubt although I shall in this Chapter set downe the varieties of a great many I shall leaue more vnspoken of then I shall describe for I may well say there is in this one plant no end of diuersity to be expected euery yeare yeelding a mixture and variety that hath not before been obserued and all this arising from the sowing of the seede The chiefe diuision of Tulipas is into two sorts Praecoces early flowring Tulipas and Serotinae late flowring Tulipas For that sort which is called Mediae or Dubiae that is which flower in the middle time betweene them both and may be thought to be a kinde or sort by it selfe as well as any of the other two yet because they doe neerer participate with the Serotinae then with the Praecoces not onely in the colour of the leafe being of the same greennesse with the Serotinae and most vsually also for that it beareth his stalke and flower high and large like as the Serotinae doe but especially for that the seede of a Media Tulipa did neuer bring forth a Praecox flower although I know Clusius an industrious learned and painfull searcher and publisher of these rarities saith otherwise so farre as euer I could by mine owne care or knowledge in sowing their seede apart or the assurance of any others the louers and sowers of Tulipa seede obserue learne or know and because also that the seede of the Serotinae bringeth forth Medias and the seede of Medias Serotinae they may well bee comprehended vnder the generall title of Serotinae But because they haue generally receiued the name of Media or middle flowring Tulipas to distinguish betweene them and those that vsually doe flower after them I am content to set them downe and speake of them seuerally as of three sorts Vnto the place and ranke likewise of the Praecoces or early flowring Tulipas there are some other seuerall kinds of Tulipas to be added which are notably differing not onely from the former Praecox Tulipa but euery one of them one from another in some speciall note or other as the Tulipa Boloniensis flore rubro the red Bolonia Tulipa Tulipa Boloniensis flore luteo the yellow Bolonia Tulipa Tulipa Persica the Persian Tulipa Tulipa Cretica the Candie Tulipa and others all which shall bee described and entreated of euery one apart by it selfe in the end of the ranke of the
sweete then in the former 6. Narcissus albus oblongo calice flauo serotinus duobus floribus in caule The late white Daffodill with a long cup and two flowers on a stalke This Daffodill is surely a kinde of it selfe although it be so like the former abiding constant in his forme and manner of flowring vsually bearing without missing two flowers vpon a stalke very like vnto the former great white kinde that one cannot know any greater matter of difference betweene them then that it beareth two flowers on a stalke the cuppes whereof are seldome touched with any shew of Saffron colour on them at the brimmes or edges as some of the former haue The Place All these Daffodils doe grow on the Pyrenaean mountaines and haue been sought out and brought into these parts by those curious or couetous searchers of these delights that haue made vs partakers of them The Time The former kindes flower earlier by a fortnight then the later the one in the later end of March and the other not vntill the middle of Aprill The Names Their names are giuen to euery one of them in their seuerall titles as fitly as may best agree with their natures and therefore I shall not neede to speake any further of them Narcissus medioluteus vulgaris The common white Daffodill called Primrose Peerlesse This Daffodill is so common in euery Countrey Garden almost through England that I doubt I shall but spend my time in vaine to describe that which is so well knowne yet for their sakes that know it not I will set downe the description of it in this manner It hath long limber and broad leaues of a grayish greene colour among which riseth vp a stalke bearing at the toppe out of a skinnie huske sometimes but one flower but most commonly two flowers and seldome three or more but larger for the most part then any that beare many flowers vpon a stalke of a pale whitish Creame colour tending somewhat neare vnto the colour of a pale Primrose which hath caused our Countrey Gentlewomen I thinke to entitle it Primrose Peerlesse with a small round flat Crowne rather then a cup in the middle of a pale yellow colour with some pale chiues standing therein being of a sweete but stuffing sent the roote is reasonable great and encreasing more then a better plant Narcissus mediocroceus serotinus The late flowring white Daffodill This Daffodill hath much smaller leaues and shorter then the last the stalke also riseth not so high by much and beareth but one flower thereon of a pure white colour made of six small leaues and somewhat narrow standing seuerally one from another and not so close together as the former but appearing like a starre the cup is small and round of a pale yellow colour but saffrony about the brims hauing six small pale chiues in the middle the smell whereof is much sweeter then in the former The Place The first is thought to grow naturally in England but I could neuer heare of his naturall place I am sure it is plentifull enough in all Country Gardens so that wee scarce giue it place in our more curious parkes The second liueth onely with them that delight in varieties The Time The first Daffodill flowreth in the middle time being neither of the earliest nor of the latest but about the middle or end of Aprill The other flowreth with the latest in May. The Names I shall not neede to trouble you with further repetitions of names they hauing been set downe in their titles which are proper to them 1 Narcissus vulgaris medio luteus The common white Daffodill or Primrose Peerlesse 2 Narcissus medio purpureus maximus The great white purple ringeâ— Daffodill 3 Narcissus medio purpurous praecox The early purple ringed Daffodill 4 Narcissus medio purpureus stellarus The starry purple ringed Daffodill 5 Narcissus Persicus The Persian Daffodill 6 Narcissus Autumnalis minor The lesser Winter Daffodill 7 Narcissus Autumnalis maior The greater Winter Daffodill 1. Narcissus medio purpureus praecox The early purple ringed Daffodill This early Daffodill hath many long grayish greene leaues somewhat narrower and stiffer then the former common white Daffodill among which riseth vp a long naked hollow stalke as all other Daffodils haue bearing at the toppe one flower and seldome two made of sixe long white leaues standing close together about the stalke the cup is yellow and so flat that it might rather bee called a crowne for it standeth very close to the middle and very open at the brimmes circled with a reddish or purple coloured ring hauing certaine chiues in the middle of it also The smell hereof is very sweete exceeding many other 2. Narcissus medio purpureus serotinus The late purple ringed Daffodill The leaues of this Daffodill are alwayes broader then the former early one and some are very neare twice as broad the flower is very like the former being large and his leaues standing close one to the side of another the ring likewise that compasseth the yellow coronet is sometimes of a paler reddish purple and sometimes as deepe a red as the former so that it differeth not in any other materiall point then that it flowreth not vntill the other is past and gone The sent of this is like the former the roote hereof is greater as well as the leafe and flower 3. Narcissus medio purpureus maximus The great white purple ringed Daffodill There is another kinde whose flower as well as leaues and rootes is larger then any other of this kinde which onely maketh it a distinct sort from the other it flowreth also with the later sort of these purple ringed Daffodils 4. Narcissus medio purpureus stellaris The starry purple ringed Daffodill This Daffodill hath his leaues a little narrower and greener then the former sorts the flower also of this hath his sixe white leaues not so broad but narrower and seeming longer then they not closing together but standing apart one from another making it seeme like a white starre it hath also a yellow coronet in the middle circled about with purple like the former This doth smell nothing so sweete as the first but yet hath a good sent The Place The first third and fourth of these Daffodils haue alwayes beene sent vs from Constantinople among other bulbous rootes so that wee know no further of their naturall places The second groweth in many places of Europe both in Germany France and Italy as Clusius hath noted The Time The first flowreth very early in March euen with the first Daffodils The second third and fourth about a moneth after The Names The early and starre Daffodils haue been sent vs by the Turkish name of Deuebohini and Serincade But their names they haue receiued since to bee endenizond with vs are set downe in their seuerall titles Narcissus Persicus The Persian Daffodill This Persian Daffodill differeth from all other kindes of Daffodils in his manner of growing for it neuer hath leaues and
flowers at one time together wherein it is like vnto a Colchicum yet in roote and leafe it is a Daffodill The roote is a little blackish on the outside somewhat like the roote of the Autumne Daffodill from whence riseth vp a naked foote stalke bearing one pale yellow flower breaking through a thinne skinne which first enclosed it composed of six leaues the three outermost being a little larger then the rest in the middle of the flower there are six small chiues and a longer pointell The whole flower is of an vnpleasant sent After the flower is past come vp the leaues sometimes before Winter but most vsually after the deepe of Winter is past with vs in the beginning of the yeare which are broad long and of a pale greene colour like the leaues of other Daffodils but not greene as the Autumne Daffodill is and besides they doe a little twine themselues as some of the Pancratium or bastard Sea Daffodils doe Narcissus Autumnalis maior The greater Autumne or Winter Daffodill The greater Autumne Daffodill riseth vp with three or foure faire broad and short leaues at the first but afterwards grow longer of a very deepe or darke greene colour in the middle of which riseth vp a short stiffe round footestalke bearing one faire yellow flower on the head thereof inclosed at the first in a thinne skinne or huske and consisteth of six leaues as the former with certaine chiues in the middle as all or most other Daffodils haue which passeth away without shew of any seed or head for seed although vnder the head there is a little greene knot which peraduenture would beare seede if our sharpe Winters did not hinder it The roote is great and round couered ouer with a blackish skinne or coate Narcissus Autumnalis minor The lesser Autumne or Winter Daffodill Clusius setteth downe that the manner of the flowring of this lesser Daffodill is more like vnto the Persian Daffodill then vnto the former greater Autumne kind but I doe finde that it doth in the same sort as the greater kinde rise vp with his leaues first and the flowers a while after the flower of this is lesser and a little paler then the flower of the greater kinde but consisting in like sort of six leaues narrow and sharpe pointed the greene leaues also are almost of as deepe a greene colour as the greater kinde but smaller and narrower and a little hollow in the middle The roote is also alike but lesser and couered with a blackish skinne as the former This hath sometimes borne blacke round seede in three square heads The Place The Persian Daffodill hath beene sent sometimes but very seldome among other rootes from Constantinople and it is probable by the name whereby it was sent that it should naturally grow in Persia The other two haue likewise beene sent from Constantinople and as it is thought grow in Thracia or thereabouts The Time They all doe flower much about one time that is about the end of September and in October The Names The first hath been sent by the name of Serincade Persiana and thereupon is called Narcissus Persicus The Persian Daffodill The other two haue been thought by diuers to be Colchica and so haue they called them vpon no other ground but that their flower is in forme and time somewhat like Colchicum when as if they had marked them better they might plainly discerne that in all other things they did resemble Daffodils but now the names of Câ—lchicum luteum maius minus is quite lost time hauing worne them out and they are called by most Herbarists now adayes Narcissus Autumnalis maior minor The greater and the lesser Autumne Daffodill Thus farre haue I proceeded with those Daffodils that hauing broad leaues beare but one single flower or two at the most vpon a stalke And now to proceed with the rest that haue broad leaues and beare single flowers but many vpon a stalke Narcissus Africanus aureus maior The great yellow Daffodill of Africa This braue and stately Daffodill hath many very long and broad leaues of a better greene colour then many others that are grayish among which appeareth a stalke not rising to the height of the leaues bearing at the toppe out of a skinnie hose many faire goodly and large flowers to the number of ten or twelue if the roote bee well growne and stand in a warme place euery one being larger then any of the French Spanish or Turkie Daffodils that beare many single flowers vpon a stalke and commeth neere vnto the bignesse of the English Daffodill called Primrose Peerlesse before described or that French kinde hereafter described that beareth the largest flowers many vpon a stalke which some would make to bee a kinde of that English Daffodill but bearing more flowers and of a faire shining yellow colour hauing large round and open cups or boules yellower then the outer leaues and is of so exceeding sweete a sent that it doth rather offend the senses by the aboundance thereof the roote is great and couered with a blackish browne coate or skinne Narcissus Africanus aureus minor The lesser Barbary Daffodill This lesser kinde is very neere the same with the former but that it lacketh somewhat of his statelinesse of height largenesse or flower and cup being of a paler yellow and beauty of colour for it beareth neither of these equall vnto the former but is in them all inferiour And thus by this priuatiue you may vnderstand his positiue and that shall be sufficient at this time Narcissus Byzantinus totus luteus The yellow Turkie Daffodill Whereas the last described came short of the beauty of the former so this lacketh of that beauty is in the last for this although it haue very long leaues and a high stalke yet the flowers are neither so many as not being aboue foure or fiue nor so large being not much greater then the ordinary French Daffodill hereafter described nor the colour so faire but much paler and the cup also smaller and herein consisteth the chiefest differences betweene this and both the other but that the sent of this is also weaker The Place The first and the second grow in Barbary about Argier and Fez as by the relation of them that haue brought them into these parts wee haue been enformed The last hath been often brought from Constantinople among other varieties of Daffodils but from whence they receiued them I could neuer learne The Time These Daffodils do flower very early euen with the first sort of Daffodils I meane after they haue been accustomed vnto our climate for oftentimes vpon their first bringing ouer they flower in Ianuary or February especially if they be preserued from the frosts and kept in any warme place for they are very tender and will soone perish being left abroad The Names The first is called by diuers in French Narcisse d'Algiers and in many places of the Low Countries Narcissen van Heck or Narcissus Heckius
of men for the present and appeareth not againe in the same forme the chiefest difference is that the flower being but sometimes one on a stalke and sometimes two consisteth of six white outer leaues as large as the leaues of the single kinde hauing many small yellow peeces edged with purple circles round about them instead of a cup and in the middle of these peeces stand other six white leaues lesser then the former and a yellow cup edged with a purple circle likewise parted into peeces and they comprehend a few other white leaues smaller then any of the other hauing among them some broken peeces of the cup with a few chiues also in the middle of the flower The flower is very sweete There is of this kinde another whose flower hath not so plaine a distinction of a triple rowe of leaues in it but the whole flower is confusedly set together the outer leaues being not so large and the inner leaues larger then the former the broken yellow cuppe which is tipt with purple running diuersly among the leaues so that it sheweth a fairer and more double flower then the former as it is indeed 3. Narcissus medioluteus corona duplici The Turkie Daffodill with a double crowne This Daffodill hath three or foure leaues as large and long almost as the great double Daffodill of Constantinople next following hath the stalke likewise is very neere as great but as high altogether bearing at the toppe foure or fiue flowers the leaues whereof are as large as of the first or second kinde of French Daffodils before described but not altogether of so pure a white colour and being six in number stand like the former single French Daffodils but that the yellow cup in the middle of this is thicke and double or as it were crumpled together not standing very high to be conspicuous but abiding lowe and short so that it is not presently marked vnlesse one looke vpon it precisely yet is exceeding sweete The roote is like vnto the roote of the purple ringed Daffodill or somewhat bigger 4. Narcissus Chalcedonicus flore pleno albo polyanthos The double white Daffodill of Constantinople This beautifull and goodly Daffodill wherewith all Florists greatly desire to bee acquainted as well for the beauty of his double flowers as also for his superabounding sweete smell one stalke with flowers being instead of a nosegay hath many very broad and very long leaues somewhat greener then gray among which riseth vp a strong round stalke being sometimes almost flat and ribbed bearing foure or fiue or more white flowers at the toppe euery one being very great large and double the leaues being confusedly set together hauing little peeces of a yellow cup running among them without any shew of that purple ring that is in the former and fall away without bearing seed euen as all or most other double flowers doe the smell is so exceeding sweet and strong that it will soone offend the senses of any that shall smell much vnto it the roote is great and thicke couered with a blackish coate 5. Narcissus Chalcedonicus simbriatus multiplex polyanthos The great double purple ringed Daffodill of Constantinople This Daffodill differeth very little or nothing in leafe from the former the onely difference is in the flowers which although they bee double and beare many vpon a stalke like vnto them yet this hath the peeces of the yellow cuppes tipt with purple as if they were shred or scattered among the white leaues whereas the other hath only the yellow without any shew of purple tips vpon them the smell of this is as strong as of the other 1 Narcissus albus multiplex The double white Daffodill 2 Narcissus medioluteus corona duplici The Turkie Daffodill with a double crowne 3 Narcissus mediopurpureus multiplex The double purple ringed Daffodill 4 Narcissus Chalcedonicus flore pleno albo polyanthos The double white Daffodill of Constantinople 6. Narcissus Cyprius flore pleno luteo polyanthos The double yellow Daffodill of Cyprus The leaues of this Daffodill are almost as broad and long as the former the stalke is a foot high and more bearing foure or fiue flowers on the top euery one very double and of a fine pale yellow colour of a strong heady sent The root of this is also like the former The Place The first of these Daffodils was first brought into England by Mr. Iohn de Franqueuille the elder who gathered it in his owne Countrey of Cambray where it groweth wilde from whose sonne Mr. Iohn de Franqueuille now liuing we all haue had it The rest haue come from Constantinople at seuerall times and the last is thought to come from Cyprus Wee haue it credibly affirmed also that it groweth in Barbary about Fez and Argiers Some of the double white kindes grow in Candy and about Aleppo also The Time The Turkie kindes doe for the most part all flower early in the end of March or beginning of Aprill at the furthest and the first double about the middle or end of Aprill The Names All these Daffodils except the first haue had diuers Turkish names set vpon the packets wherein they haue been sent but there is small regard of certainty to be expected from them for that the name Serincade without any more addition which is a single Daffodill hath beene imposed vpon that parcell of rootes that haue borne most of them double flowers of diuers sorts and the name Serincade Catamer lale which signifieth a double flowred Daffodill hath had many single white flowers with yellow cups and some whose flowers haue been wholly white cuppe and all and some purple ringed and double also among them Their names whereby they are knowne and called with vs are as fitly as may be imposed in their titles And this I hope shall suffice to haue spoken of these sorts of Daffodils Hauing finished the discourse of the former sort of broad leafed Daffodils it is fit to proceede to the next which are Angustifolios Narcissos those Daffodils that haue narrow leaues and first to set downe those that beare single flowers whether one or many flowers vpon a stalke and then those that beare double flowers in the same manner Narcissus Virgineus The Virginia Daffodill This plant I thought fittest to place here in the beginning of this Classis not finding where better to shroud it It hath two or three long and very narrow leaues as greene as the leaues of the great Leucoium bulbosum and shining withall which grow sometimes reddish especially at the edges the stalke riseth vp a spanne high bearing one flower and no more on the head thereof standing vpright like a little Lilly or Tulipa made of six leaues wholly white both within and without except that at the bottome next to the stalke and a little on the backside of the three outer leaues it hath a small dash or shew of a reddish purple colour it hath in the middle a few chiues standing about a small
head pointed which head groweth to bee small and long containing small blackish flat seede the roote is small long and round a little blackish on the outside and white on the inside The Place This bulbous plant was brought vs from Virginia where they grow aboundantly but they hardly thriue and abide in our Gardens to beare flowers The Time It flowreth in May and seldome before The Names The Indians in Virginia do call it Attamusco some among vs do call it Lilionarcissus Virginianus of the likenesse of the flower to a Lilly and the leaues and roote to a Daffodill Wee for breuity doe call it Narcissus Virgineus that is The Daffodill of Virginia or else you may call it according to the former Latine name The Lilly Daffodill of Virginia which you will for both names may serue well to expresse the plant Narcissus angustifolius albidus praecox oblongo calice The early white narrow leafed Daffodill with a long cup. This Daffodill hath three or foure narrow long and very greene leaues a foote long for the most part the stalke riseth not vp so high as the leaues whereon standeth one flower not altogether so great as the late flowring Daffodill with a long cuppe described before among the broad leafed ones which consisteth of six pale coloured leaues not pure white but hauing a wash of light yellow among the white the cuppe in the middle is round and long yet not so long as to bee accounted a bastard Daffodill within which is a middle pointell compassed with six chiues hauing yellow mealy pendents The Place This Daffodill groweth with the other sorts of broad leafed ones on the Pyrenaean Mountaines from whence they haue beene brought vnto vs to furnish our Gardens The Time It flowreth early a moneth before the other sorts of the same fashion that is in the beginning of March if the time be milde which the other before spoken of doe not The Names It hath no other name that I know then is expressed in the title 2. Narcissus mediocroceus tenuifolius The small Daffodill with a Saffron crown This small Daffodill hath foure or fiue narrow leaues about a spanne long among which riseth vp a stalke some nine inches high bearing at the toppe one small white flower made of six leaues with a small yellow cup in the middle shadowed ouer at the brimmes with a Saffron colour the roote is small round and little long withall couered with a blackish skinne or coate 3. Narcissus minimus mediopurpureus The least purple ringed Daffodill This little Daffodill hath small narrow leaues shorter by much then any of the purple ringed Daffodils before described the stalke and flower keepe an equall proportion to the rest of the plant being in forme and colour of the flower like vnto the Starre Daffodill before recited but vnlike in the greatnesse this also is to bee obserued that the purple colour that circleth the brimmes of the cuppe is so small that sometimes it is not well perceiued 4. Narcissus minimus Iuncifolij flore The least Daffodill of all This least Daffodill hath two or three whitish greene leaues narrower then the two last recited Daffodils and shorter by halfe being not aboue two or three inches long the stalke likewise is not aboue three or foure inches high bearing one single flower at the toppe somewhat bigger then the smalnesse of the plant should seeme to beare very like vnto the least Rush Daffodill and of the same bignesse or rather somewhat bigger being of a faint yellow colour both leaues and cup or crowne if you please so to call it for the middle part is spread very much euen to the middle of the leaues almost and lyeth flat open vpon the flower the roote is small euen the smallest of any Daffodill and couered with a blackish skinne or coate The Place The first of these Daffodils haue beene brought vs from the Pyrenaean Mountaines among a number of other rare plants and the last by a French man called Francis le Veau the honestest roote-gatherer that euer came ouer to vs. The second was sent to Mr. Iohn de Franqueuille before remembred who imparted it to mee as hee hath done many other good things but his naturall place wee know not The Time They all flower about the latter end of Aprill The Names Being brought without names wee haue giuen them their names according to their face and fashion as they are set downe in their titles Narcissus Autumnalis minor albus The little white Autumne Daffodill This little Autumne Daffodill riseth with his flowers first out of the ground without any leaues at all It springeth vp with one or two stalkes about a finger long euery one bearing out of a small huske one small white flower laid open abroad like vnto the Starre white Daffodill before spoken of in the middle of the flower is a small yellow cup of a meane size and after the flower is past there commeth in the same place a small head containing small round blacke seede like vnto the Autumne Hyacinth the leaues come vp after the seede is ripe and gone being small and narrow not much bigger then the Autumne Hyacinth the roote is small and blackish on the outside The Place This Daffodill groweth in Spaine where Clusius saw it and brought it into these parts The Time It flowreth in the beginning of Autumne and his seede is ripe in the end of October in those hot Countries but in ours it will scarce abide to shew a flower The Names The Spaniards as Clusius reporteth call it Tâ—nada and he vpon the sight 1 Narcissus Virgineus The Virginian Daffodill 2 Narcissus minimus Iuncifolij flore The least Daffodill of all 3 Narcissus Autumnalis minor albus The little white Autumne Daffodill 4 Narcissus albus Autumnalis medio obsoletus The white Autumne Daffodill with a sullen crown 5 Narcissus Iuncifolius maximus amplo calice The great Iunquilia with the largest flower or cup. 6 Narcissus totus albus flore plano Virginianus The double white Daffodill of Virginia thereof Narcissus Autumnalis minor albus and wee in English thereafter The little white Autumne Daffodill Narcissus albus Autumnalis medio obsoletus The white Autumne Daffodill with a sullen crowne This Autumne Daffodill hath two or three leaues at the most and very narrow so that some doe reckon it among the Rush Daffodils being somewhat broad at the bottome and more pointed at the toppe betweene these leaues commeth vp the stalke bearing vsually two flowers and no more at the toppe made of sixe white leaues a peece pointed and not round the cup is small and round like vnto the cup or crowne of the least Rush Daffodill of a yellow colour at the bottome but toward the edge of a dunne or sullen colour Narcissus angustifolius luteus semper florens Caccini The yellow Italian Daffodill of Caccini This Daffodill beareth a number of small long narrow and very greene leaues broader then the leaues of any Rush
one Alter minori flore two or three at the most vpon a stalke and of lesse beauty by much The Place All these Rush Daffodils doe for the most part grow in Spaine and France and on the Pyrenaean Mountaines which are betweene Spaine and France which Mountains are the Nourseries of many of the finest flowers that doe adorne the Gardens of these louers of natures pride and gathered in part by industrious learned generous men inhabiting neare thereunto and in part by such as make a gaine of their labours bestowed vpon these things Onely that with the greene flower was gathered in Barbary and imparted vnto vs from France The Time They flower in the Spring that is in March and Aprill except such whose time is set downe to be in Autumne The Names Their names are specified in their titles and therefore I shall not need to set downe any further repetitions To conclude therefore this discourse of true Daffodils there remaineth to speake of the Sea Daffodils which as I said in the beginning is but one that is frequent and doth abide with vs. But there bee some others found about the Cape of good Hope and in the West Indies and brought into these parts rather for ostentation then continuance where they haue flowred onely once if peraduenture so often so that being such strangers of so remote Countries and of so diuers natures I shall but shew you some of them rather cursorily then curiously and but onely for your satisfaction giue you knowledge of two or three of them that there haue beene seene such in flower and that they are scarce to bee seene againe except they bee fetcht a new euery yeare that they be seene Narcissus Marinus siue tertius Matthioli The great white Sea Daffodill or Matthiolus his third Daffodill The roote of this Daffodill by long continuance standing in one place without being remoued groweth to be much greater and larger then any other Daffodill whatsoeuer and as bigge as any meane Squilla or Sea Onion roote hauing many long thicke and white fibres or long rootes diuersly branched and spread vnder the vpper part of the earth beside some others that grow downward and perish not euery yeare as the fibres of all or most of the other Daffodils doe and therefore this plant will not thriue and beare flowers if it be often transplanted but rather desire to abide in one place without remouing as I said and that not to be ouershadowed or couered with other herbes standing too neare it which then will flourish and beare aboundantly from this roote which is couered with many blackish coates ariseth six or seuen or more leaues twice so broad almost as any of the former Daffodils but not so long by halfe as many of them being but short in comparison of the breadth and of a white greene colour from the middle of which leaues as also from the sides sometimes springeth vp one or two or more stalkes roundish and thicke and sometimes a little flat and cornered a foote high or somewhat more bearing at the toppe out of a skinnie huske eight ten twelue or more very large flowers consisting of six white leaues a peece spread or laid open with a white short cuppe or crowne in the middle lying flat vpon the leaues cut or diuided into six corners and not whole as the cuppe or crowne of any other single Daffodill from euery of which edges or corners of this cup or crowne standeth one white long thread a little crooked or turning vp at the end tipt with a yellow pendent and some other white threads tipt with yellow pendents standing also in the middle after the flower is past there come vp great three square heads wherein the seede is contained which is great blacke and round like vnto the seede of other Daffodils but greater the flower hath a reasonable good sent but not very strong The Place It was first found by the Sea side in the Isle of Sardinia and on the high Mountaines also of the same Isle where it hath borne by report thirty fiue flowers vpon a stalke it groweth likewise about Illyricum and in diuers other places The Time It springeth later out of the ground then any other Daffodill that is to say not vntill the later end of March or beginning of Aprill and flowreth in the end of May or the beginning of Iune the seede is ripe in the end of Iuly or beginning of August The Names The first that hath made mention of this Daffodill was Matthiolus who placed it in the third place among his Daffodils and is most vsually now adayes called Narcissus tertius Matthioli Matthiolus his third Daffodill the rather because Clusius vpon a more mature deliberation first referred it thereunto but called it at the first Lilionarcissus Hemerocallidis facie and as hee saith Iacobus Plateau who first sent him the figure hereof with the description called it Lilionarcissus Orientalis but Clusius vpon certaine information that it grew in the places aforesaid misliked the name of Orientalis and added Hemerocallis which yet is not fit for that his Hemerocallis Valentina is a plaine Pancration or Sea bastard Daffodill whose middle cup is longer then the cup of any true Daffodill which as I said in the beginning of this Chapter is the chiefest note of difference betweene a true and a bastard Daffodill I receiued the seede of this Daffodill among many other seedes of rare plants from the liberality of Mr. Doctor Flud one of the Physitians of the Colledge in London who gathered them in the Vniuetsity Garden at Pisa in Italy and brought them with him returning home from his trauailes into those parts by the name of Martagon rarissimum and hauing sowne them expected fourteene yeares before I saw them beare a flower which the first yeare that it did flower bore foure stalkes of 1 Narcissus tertius Matthioli The great white Sea Daffodill 2 Narcissus Indicus autumnalis The Indian Autumne Daffodill 3 Narcissus marinus Africanus The Sea Daffodill of Africa 4 Narcissus marinus exoticus The strange Sea Daffodill flowers with euery one of them eight or ten flowers on them which of all other names doth least answer the forme or qualities of this plant It may most fitly be called Narcissus marinus maximus in English The great Sea Daffodill both because it is a true Daffodill and the greatest of all other and also because it hath not been found but in Islands or else in other places neare the Sea Lobelius entituleth it Pancratium Indicum alterum vernum siue Narcissus Indicus alter facie Pancratij Monspeliaci but all this is wide from the matter as may easily be known by that that hath been said before It is generally as I said before called of all Narcissus tertius Matthioli Matthiolus his third Daffodill which may either so passe with vs or as I called it The great Sea Daffodill which you will so Clusius doth lastly entitle it 1. Pancratium Indicum
flowers bushing bigger below then aboue of a very pale or white blew tending to an ash colour and very sweete in smell the seede is blacke and round like vnto the seede of the English Iacinth and so is the roote being great round and white so like I say that it is hard to know the one from the other The Place The certaine originall places of growing thereof is not knowne to vs. The Time It flowreth in Aprill The Names Some doe call this Hyacinthus Someri Somers Iacinth because as Lobel saith he brought it first into the Lowe-Countries eyther from Constantinople or out of Italy Hyacinthus Stellatus Lilifolio radice caeruleo The blew Lilly leafed Starre Iacinth This Iacinth hath six or seuen broad greene leaues somewhat like vnto Lilly leaues but shorter whereof it tooke his name as well as from the roote spread vpon the ground and lying close and round before the stalke riseth out from the middle of these leaues there doth appeare a deepe hollow place like a hole to bee seene a good while which at length is filled vp with the stalke rising thence vnto a foote or more high bearing many starre-like flowers at the toppe of a perfect blew colour neare vnto a Violet and sometimes of paler or bleake blew colour hauing as it were a small cuppe in the middle diuided into six peeces without any threeds therein the seede is blacke and round but not shining the roote is somewhat long bigge belowe and small aboue like vnto the small roote of a Lilly and composed of yellow scales as a Lilly but the scales are greater and fewer in number Hyacinthus Stellatus Lilifolius albus The white Lilly leafed Starre Iacinth The likenesse of this Iacinth with the former causeth me to be briefe and not to repeate the same things againe that haue already been expressed You may therefore vnderstand that except in the colour of the flower which in this is white there is no difference betweene them Flore â—arneo I heare of one that should beare blush coloured flowers but I haue not yet seene any such The Place These Iacinths haue been gathered on the Pyrenaean Hils in that part of France that is called Aquitaine and in some other places The Time These flower in Aprill and sometimes later The Names Because the roote is so like vnto a Lilly as the leafe is also it hath most properly beene called Hyacinthus Stellatus Lilifolio radice or for breuity Lilifolius that is The Starry Lilly leafed Iacinth It is called Sarahug by the Inhabitants where it groweth as Clusius maketh the report from Venerius who further faith that by experience they haue found the cattell to swell and dye that haue eaten of the leaues thereof 1 Hyacinthus stellatus praecox caruleus The early blew starry Iacinth 2 Hyacinthus stellatus pracox albus The early white starry Iacinth 3 Hyacinthus stellatus Byzantinus nigra radice The Turkie starry Iacinth with a blacke roote 4 Hyacinthus Byzantinus alter siue flore Borâ—ginis The other starry Iacinth of Constantinople 5 Hyacinthus astibus maior The greater Summer starry Iacinth 6 Hyacinthus stellatus flore â—reâ— The ash coloured starry Iacinth 7 Hyacinthus stellatus Lilifolius The Lilly leafed starre Iacinth 8 Hyacinthus Autumnalis The Autumne Iacinth 9 Scilla alba siue Hyacinthus marinus The Sea Onion or Squill Hyacinthus Autumnalis maior The greater Autumne Iacinth The greater Autumne Iacinth hath fiue or six very long and narrow greene leaues lying vpon the ground the stalkes are set at the toppe with many starre-like flowers of a pale blewish purple colour with some pale coloured threeds tipt with blew standing about the head in the middle which in time growing ripe containeth therein small blacke seede and roundish the roote is great and white on the outside Hyacinthus Autumnalis minor The lesser Autumne Iacinth This lesser Iacinth hath such like long and small leaues but narrower then the former the stalke is not full so high but beareth as many flowers on it as the other which are of a pale or bleake purple colour very like vnto it also the roote and seed are like the former but smaller These both for the most part beare their flowers and seede before the greene leaues rise vp much aboue the ground Flore albo There is a kinde hereof found that beareth white flowers not differing in any other thing from the smaller purple kinde last mentioned The Place The first and last are onely kept in Gardens and not knowne to vs where their naturall place of growing wilde may be The second groweth wilde in many places of England I gathered diuers rootes for my Garden from the foote of a high banke by the Thames side at the hither end of Chelsey before you come at the Kings Barge-house The Time The greatest flowreth in the end of Iuly and in August The other in August and September you shall seldome see this plant with flowers and greene leaues at one time together The Names They haue their names giuen them as they are expressed in their titles by all former Writers except Daleschampius or hee that set forth that great worke printed at Lyons for hee contendeth with many words that these plants can bee no Iacinths because their flowers appeare before their leaues in Autumne contrary to the true Iacinth as he saith and therefore he would faine haue it referred to Theophrastus bulbus in libro primo cap. 12. and calleth it his Tiphyum mentioned in that place as also Bulbus aestivus Dalechampij Howsoeuer these things may carry some probability in them yet the likenesse both of rootes and flowers especially hath caused very learned Writers to entitle them as is set downe and therefore I may not but let them passe in the like manner The Vertues Both the rootes and the leaues of the Iacinths are somewhat cold and drying but the seede much more It stayeth the loosnesse of the belly It is likewise said to hinder young persons from growing ripe too soone the roote being drunke in wine It helpeth them also whose vrine is stopt and is auaileable for the yellow Iaundise but as you heare some are deadly to cattell I therefore wish all to bee well aduised which of these they will vse in any inward physicke Scilla alba The Sea Onion or Squill As I ended the discourse of both the true and the bastard Daffodils with the Sea kindes of both sorts so I thinke it not amisse to finish this of the Iacinths with the description of a Sea Iacinth which as you see I take to be the Scilla or Sea Onion all his parts so nearely resembling a Iacinth that I know not where to ranke him better then in this place or rather not any where but here You shall haue the description thereof and then let the iudicious passe their sentence as they thinke meetest The Squill or Sea Onion as many doe call it hath diuers thicke leaues broad long greene and hollowish
in the middle and with an eminent or swelling ribbe all along the backe of the leafe I relate it as I haue seene it hauing shot forth his leaues in the ship by the way as the Mariners that brought diuers rootes from out of the Straights did sell them to mee and others for our vse lying vpon the ground somewhat like vnto the leaues of a Lilly these spring vp after the flowers are past and the seed ripe they abiding all the Winter and the next Spring vntill the heate of the Summer hath spent and consumed them and then about the end of August or beginning of September the stalke with flowers ariseth out of the ground a foote and a halfe high bearing many starre-like flowers on the toppe in a long spike one aboue another flowring by degrees the lowest first and so vpwards whereby it is long in flowring very like as well in forme as bignesse to the flowers of the great Starre of Bethlehem these flowers I haue likewise seene shooting out of some of the rootes that haue been brought in the like manner after the flowers are past there come vp in their places thicke and three square heads wherin is contained such like flat black and round seed as the Spanish duskie Iacinth before described did beare but greater the root is great white couered with many peelings or couerings as is plainly enough seen to any that know them and that sometimes wee haue had rootes that haue beene as bigge as a pretty childes head and sometimes two growing together each whereof was no lesse then is said of the other Scilla rubra siue Pancratium verum The red Sea Onion The roote of this Squill is greater oftentimes then of the former the outer coates or peelings being reddish bearing greater longer stiffer and more hollow leaues in a manner vpright this bringeth such a like stalke and flowers as the former doth as Fabianus Ilges Apothecary to the Duke of Briga did signifie by the figure thereof drawne and sent to Clusius The Place They grow alwayes neare the Sea and neuer farre off from it but often on the very baich of the Sea where it washeth ouer them all along the coasts of Spaine Portugal and Italy and within the Straights in many places it will not abide in any Garden farre from the Sea no not in Italy as it is related The Time The time wherein they flower is expressed to be in August and September the seede to be ripe in October and Nouember and the greene leaues to spring vp in Nouember and December The Names These are certainly the true kindes of Scilla that should bee vsed in medicines although as Clusius reporteth the Spaniards forbade him to taste of the red Squill as of a most strong and present poison Pliny hath made more sorts then can be found out yet to this day with vs that Scilla that is called Epimenidia because it might be eaten is thought to be the great Ornithogalum or Starre of Bethlehem Pancratium is I know and as I said before referred to that kinde of bastard Sea Daffodill which is set forth before in the end of the history of the bastard Daffodils and diuers also would make the Narcissus tertius Matthioli which I call the true Sea Daffodill to be a Pancratium but seeing Dioscorides and no other is against him maketh Pancratium to be a kinde of Squill with reddish rootes I dare not vphold their opinion against such manifest truth The Vertues The Squill or Sea Onion is wholly vsed physically with vs because wee can receiue no pleasure from the sight of the flowers Pliny writeth that Pithagoras wrote a volume or booke of the properties thereof for the singular effects it wrought which booke is lost yet the diuers vertues it hath is recorded by others to be effectuall for the spleene lungs stomach liuer head and heart and for dropsies old coughs Iaundise and the wormes that it cleareth the sight helpeth the tooth-ache cleanseth the head of scurfe and running sores and is an especiall Antidote against poison and therefore is vsed as a principall ingredient into the Theriaca Andromachi which we vsually call Venice Treakle The Apothecaries prepare hereof both Wine Vinegar and Oxymel or Syrupe which is singular to extenuate and expectorate tough flegme which is the cause of much disquiet in the body and an hinderer of concoction or disgestion in the stomach besides diuers other wayes wherein the scales of the rootes being dryed are vsed And Galen hath sufficiently explained the qualities and properties thereof in his eight Booke of Simples CHAP. XII Ornithogalum Starre of Bethlehem AFter the Family of the Iacinths must needes follow the kindes of Starre-flowers or Starres of Bethlehem as they are called for that they doe so nearely resemble them that diuers haue named some of them Iacinths and referred them to that kindred all of them both in roote leafe and flower come nearer vnto the Iacinths then vnto any other plant They shall therefore bee next described euery one in their order the greatest first and the rest following Ornithogalum Arabicum The great Starre-flower of Arabia This Arabian Starre-flower hath many broad and long greene leaues very like vnto the leaues of the Orientall Iacinth but lying for the most part vpon the ground among which riseth vp a round greene stalke almost two foote high bearing at the toppe diuers large flowers standing vpon long foote-stalkes and at the bottome of euery one of them a small short pointed greene leafe these flowers are made of six pure white leaues a peece laid open as large as an ordinary Daffodill but of the forme of a Starre Iacinth or Starre of Bethlehem which close as they doe euery night and open themselues in the day time especially in the Sunne the smell whereof is pretty sweete but weake in the middle of the flower is a blackish head composed with six white threeds tipt with yellow pendents the seede hath not beene obserued with vs the roote is great and white with a flat bottome very impatient of our cold Winters so that it seldome prospereth or abideth with vs for although sometimes it doe abide a Winter in the ground yet it often lyeth without springing blade or any thing else a whole yeare and then perisheth or if it doe spring yet many doe not beare and most after their first bearing doe decay and perish But if any be desirous to know how to preserue the roote of this plant or of many other bulbous rootes that are tender such as the great double white Daffodill of Constantinople and other fine Daffodils that come from hot Countries let them keepe this rule Let either the roote be planted in a large pot or tubbe of earth and housed all the Winter that so it may bee defended from the frosts Or else which is the easier way keepe the roote out of the ground euery yeare from September after the leaues and stalkes are past vntill February in
with small greene leaues among them which are white on the inside and striped on the backe with purple lines like vnto the first described the seede and heads containing them are three square like the seede of the little yellow Asphodill the rootes of this kinde are not glandulous as the former but stringie long and white the whole plant is very impatient of our cold Winters and quickly perisheth if it be not carefully preserued both from the cold and much wet in the Winter by housing it and then it will abide many yeares for it is not an annuall plant as many haue thought 6. Asphodelus luteus minor siue Hastula regia The small yellow Asphodill or Kings speare This small yellow Asphodill which is vsually called the Kings speare hath many long narrow edged leaues which make them seeme three square of a blewish or whitish greene colour the stalke riseth vp three foote high oftentimes beset with small long leaues vp vnto the very flowers which grow thicke together spike-fashion one aboue another for a great length and wholly yellow laid open like a Starre somewhat greater then the last white Asphodill and smaller then the first which when they are past yeeld round heads containing blacke cornered seede almost three square the rootes are many long yellow strings which spreading in the ground doe much encrease The Place All these Asphodils doe grow naturally in Spaine and France and from thence were first brought vnto vs to furnish our Gardens The Time All the glandulous rooted Asphodils doe flower some in May and some in Iune but the two last doe flower the yellow or last of them in Iuly and the former white one in August and September and vntill the cold and winter hinder it The Names Their seuerall names are giuen them in their titles as much as is fit for this discourse For to shew you that the Greekes doe call the stalke of the great Asphodill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Albucum or what else belongeth to them is fitter for another worke vnto which I leaue them The bastard Asphodils should follow next in place if this worke were fit for them but because I haue tyed my selfe to expresse onely those flowers and plants that for their beauty or sent or both doe furnish a Garden of Pleasure and they haue none I leaue them to a generall History of plants or that Garden of Simples before spoken of and will describe the Lilly Asphodils and the Phalangia or Spider-worts which are remaining of those that ioyne in name or fashion and are to be here inserted before I passe to the rest of the bulbous rootes 1. Liliasphodelus phaeniceus The gold red Day Lilly Because the rootes of this and the next doe so nearely agree with the two last recited Asphodils I haue set them in this place although some doe place them next after the Lillies because their flowers doe come nearest in forme vnto Lillies but whether you will call them Asphodils with Lilly flowers as I thinke it fittest or Lillies with Asphodill rootes or Lillies without bulbous rootes as others doe I will not contend The red Day Lilly hath diuers broad and long fresh greene leaues folded at the first as it were double which after open and remaine a little hollow in the middle among which riseth vp a naked stalke three foot high bearing at the toppe many flowers one not much distant from another and flowring one after another not hauing lightly aboue one flower blown open in a day that but for a day not lasting longer but closing at night and not opening againe whereupon it had his English name The Lilly for a day these flowers are almost as large as the flowers of the white Lilly and made after the same fashion but of a faire gold red or Orange tawny colour I could neuer obserue any seede to follow these flowers for they seeme the next day after they haue flowred except the time be faire and dry to bee so rotten as if they had lyen in wet to rotte them whereby I thinke no seede can follow the rootes are many thicke and long yellow knobbed strings like vnto the small yellow Asphodill rootes but somewhat greater running vnder ground in like sort and shooting young heads round about 2. Liliashodelus luteus The yellow Day Lilly I shall not neede to make a repetition of the description of this Day Lilly hauing giuen you one so amply before because this doth agree thereunto so nearely as that it might seeme the same these differences onely it hath the leaues are not fully so large nor the flower so great or spread open and the colour thereof is of a faire yellow wholly and very sweet which abideth blowne many daies before it fade and hath giuen blacke round seede growing in round heads like the heads of the small yellow Asphodill but not so great Clusius hath set downe that it was reported that there should be another Liliasphodill with a white flower but we can heare of none such as yet but I rather thinke that they that gaue that report might be mistaken in thinking the Sauoye Spider-wort to be a white Liliasphodill which indeede is so like that one not well experienced or not well regarding it may soone take one for another The Place Their originall is many moist places in Germany The Time They flower in May and Iune The Names They are called by some Liliago and Lilium non bulbosum and Liliasphodelus 1 Asphodelus maior albus ramosus The great white branched Asphodill 2 Asphodelus minor albus seu fiflulosus The little hollow white Asphodill 3 Asphodelus minor luteus siue Hastula regia The small yellow Asphodill or Kings speare 4 Liliasphodelus luteus The yellow Day Lilly 5 Liliasphodelus phaeniceus The gold red Day Lilly In English we call them both Day Lillies but the name doth not so well agree with the last as with the first for the causes aboue specified The Vertues The rootes of Asphodill hath formerly beene had in great account but now is vtterly neglected yet by reason of their sharpenesse they open and cleanse and therefore some haue of late vsed them for the yellow Iaundise The Day Lillies haue no physicall vse that I know or haue heard CHAP. XV. Phalangium Spider-wort THese plants doe so nearely resemble those that are last set forth that I thinke none that knowes them will doubt but that they must follow next vnto them being so like vnto them and therefore of the fairest of this kinde first 1. Phalangium Allobrogicum The Sauoye Spider-wort The Sauoye Spider-wort springeth vp with foure or fiue greene leaues long and narrow yet broader at the bottome narrower pointed at the end and a little hollow in the middle among which riseth vp a round stiffe stalke a foote and a halfe high bearing at the toppe one aboue another seuen or eight or more flowers euery one as large almost as the yellow Day
found of any of them This onely they haue assured that there groweth none in the places where some haue reported them to grow The Time Those of the Spring doe flower about the end of Aprill or beginning of May. The other of the Summer about the end of Iune or in Iuly The rest some in August and September others in October The Names The Common Sowebread is called by most Writers in Latine Panis Poreinus and by that name it is knowne in the Apothecaries shops as also by the name Arthanita according to which name they haue an ointment so called which is to be made with the iuice hereof It is also called by diuers other names not pertinent for this discourse The most vsuall name whereby it is knowne to most Herbarists is Cyclamen which is the Greeke word or as some call it Cyclaminus adding thereunto their other seuerall titles In English Sowebread The Vertues The leaues and rootes are very effectuall for the spleene as the Ointment before remembred plainly proueth being vsed for the same purpose and that to good effect It is vsed also for women in long and hard trauels where there is danger to accelerate the birth either the roote or the leafe being applyed But for any amorous effects I hold it meere fabulous CHAP. XXV Anemone Windeflower and his kindes THe next tuberous rooted plants that are to follow of right in my opinion are the Anemones or Windeflowers and although some tuberous rooted plants that is the Asphodils Spiderworts and Flowerdeluces haue beene before inserted it was both because they were in name or forme of flowers sutable to them whom they were ioyned vnto and also that they should not be seuered and entreated of in two seuerall places the rest are now to follow at the least so many of them as be beautifull flowers fit to furnish a Florists Garden for natures delightsome varieties and excellencies To distinguish the Family of Anemones I may that is into the wilde kindes and into the tame or mannured as they are called and both of them noursed vp in Gardens and of them into those that haue broader leaues and into those that haue thinner or more iagged leaues and of each of them into those that beare single flowers and those that beare double flowers But to describe the infinite as I may so say variety of the colours of the flowers and to giue to each his true distinction and denomination Hic labor hoc opus est it farre passeth my ability I confesse and I thinke would grauell the best experienced this day in Europe and the like I said concerning Tulipas it being as contingent to this plant as is before said of the Tulipa to be without end in yeelding varieties for who can see all the varieties that haue sprung from the sowing of the seede in all places seeing the variety of colours risen from thence is according to the variety of ayres grounds wherein they are sowne skill also helping nature in ordering them aright For the seede of one and the same plant sowne in diuers ayres and grounds doe produce that variety of colours that is much differing one from another who then can display all the mixtures of colours in them to set them downe in so small a roome as this Book Yet as I haue done in the former part of this Treatise my good will to expresse as many of each kinde haue come to my knowledge so if I endeauour the like in this I hope the courteous wil accept it and hold me excused for the rest otherwise if I were or could be absolute I should take from my self and others the hope of future augmentation or addition of any new which neuer will be wanting To begin therefore with the wilde kinds as they are so accounted I shall first entreate of the Pulsatillas or Pasque flowers which are certainly kindes of wilde Anemones both in leafe and flower as may well be discerned by them that are iudicious although some learned men haue not so thought as appeareth by their writings the rootes of them making one speciall note of difference from the other sorts of wilde Anemones 1. Pulsatilla Anglica purpurea The purple Pasque flower The Pasque or Passe flower which is of our owne Country hath many leaues lying on the ground somewhat rough or hairie hard in feeling and finely cut into many small leaues of a darke greene colour almost like the leaues of Carrets but finer and smaller from among which rise vp naked stalkes rough or hairie also set about the middle thereof with some small diuided leaues compassing them and rising aboue these leaues about a spanne bearing euery one of them one pendulous flower made of six leaues of a fine Violet purple colour but somewhat deepe withall in the middle whereof stand many yellow threeds set about a middle purple pointell after the flower is past there commeth vp in the stead thereof a bushie head of long seedes which are small and hoarie hauing at the end of euery one a small haire which is gray likewise the roote is small and long growing downewards into the ground with a tuft of haire at the head thereof and not lying or running vnder the vpper crust thereof as the other wilde Anemones doe 2. Pulsatilla Danica The Passe flower of Denmarke There is another that was brought out of Denmarke very like vnto the former but that it is larger both in roote and leafe and flower also which is of a fairer purple colour not so deepe and besides will better abide to bee mannured then our English kinde will as my selfe haue often proued Vtriusque flore albo flore duplici Of both these sorts it is said that some plants haue bin found that haue borne white flowers And likewise one that bore double flowers that is with two rowes of leaues 3. Pulsatilla flore rubro The red Passe flower Lobel as I take it did first set forth this kinde being brought him from Syria the leaues whereof are finer cut the flower smaller and with longer leaues and of a red colour 4. Pulsatilla flore luteo The yellow Passe flower The yellow Passe flower hath his leaues cut and diuided very like vnto the leaues of the first kinde but somewhat more hairie greene on the vpperside and hairie vnderneath the stalke is round and hoary the middle whereof is beser with some small leaues as in the other from among which riseth vp the stalke of the flower consisting of six leaues of a very faire yellow colour on the inside and of a hoary pale yellow on the outside after which followeth such an head of hairie thrummes as in the former the roote is of the bignesse of a mans finger 5. Pulsatilla flore albo The white Passe flower The white Passe flower which Clusius maketh a kinde of Anemone and yet as hee saith himselfe doth more nearely resemble the Pulsatilla hath from amongst a tuft or head of haires which grow at
differ much in the forme of the leaues the description whereof is in this manner The leaues that spring vp first are much crumpled and as it were folded together which afterwards open themselues into faire broad and roundish leaues somewhat rough or hairy not onely cut into fine diuisions but somewhat notched also about the edges of a darke greene colour on the vpperside and more whitish greene vnderneath amongst these leaues riseth vp one or two naked round stalkes fiue or six inches high bearing at the toppes diuers small flowers somewhat sweete like vnto the first purple Beares eare hanging downe their heads conssting of fiue small pointed leaues a peece of a darke reddish purple colour with a white circle or bottome in the middle and some small threads therein after the flowers are past there come small round heads somewhat longer then any of the Beares eares standing vpright vpon their small foot-stalkes wherein is contained small round and blackish seede the roote consisteth of a thicke tuft of small whitish threads rather then rootes much enterlaced one among another the leaues of this plant dye downe euery yeare and spring vp a new in the beginning of the yeare whereas all the Beares eares doe hold their leaues greene all the Winter especially the middlemost which stand like a close head the outermost for the most part perishing after seed time The Place This groweth in many shadowie Woods both of Italy and Germany for both Clusius hath described it finding it in the Woods of Austria and Stiria and Matthiolus setteth it downe hauing receiued it from Anthonius Cortusus who was President of the Garden at Padua and found it in the woody mountaines of Vicenza neare vnto Villestagna whereon as Matthiolus saith there is found both with white flowers as well as with blew but such with white flowers or blew we neuer could see or heare further of The Time It flowreth much about the time of the Beares eares or rather a little later and the seede is ripe with them The Names Clusius calleth it Sanicula montana and Sanicula Alpina and referreth it to the Auricula Vrsi or Beares eare which it doth most nearly resemble but Matthiolus referreth it to the Cariophyllata or Auens making it to be of that tribe or family and calleth it Cortusa of him that first sent it him Wee may call it eyther Cortusa as for the most part all Herbarists doe or Beares eare Sanicle as Gerrard doth The Vertues All the sorts of Beares eares are Cephalicall that is conducing helpe for the paines in the head and for the giddinesse thereof which may happen eyther by the sight of steepe places subiect to danger or otherwise They are accounted also to be helping for the Palsey and shaking of the ioynts and also as a Sanicle or wound-herbe The leaues of the Cortusa taste a little hot and if one of them bee laide whole without bruising on the cheeke of any tender skind woman it will raise an orient red colour as if some fucus had beene laide thereon which will passe away without any manner of harme or marke where it lay This is Cortusus his obseruation Camerarius in his Hortus Medicus saith that an oyle is made thereof that is admirable for to cure wounds CHAP. XXXV Primula veris Paralysis Primroses and Cowslips WE haue so great variety of Primroses and Cowslips of our owne Country breeding that strangers being much delighted with them haue beene often furnished into diuers Countries to their good content And that I may set them downe in some methodicall manner as I haue done other things I will first set downe all the sorts of those we call Primroses both single and double and afterwards the Cowslips with their diuersities in as ample manner as my knowledge can direct me And yet I know that the name of Primula veris or Primrose is indifferently conferred vpon those that I distinguish for Paralyses or Cowslips I doe therefore for your better vnderstanding of my distinction betweene Primroses and Cowslips call those onely Primroses that carry but one flower vpon a stalke be they single or double except that of Master Hesket and that with double flowers many vpon a stalke set out in Gerards Herball which is his onely not found as I thinke in rerum natura I am sure such a one I could neuer heare of And those Cowslips that beare many flowers vpon a stalke together constantly be they single or double also I might otherwise distinguish them also by the leafe that all the Primroses beare their long and large broad yellowish greene leaues without stalkes most vsually and all the Cowslips haue small stalkes vnder the leaues which are smaller and of a darker greene as vsually but that this distinction is neither so certaine and generall nor so well knowne 1. Primula veris flore albo The single white Primrose The Primrose that groweth vnder euery bush or hedge in all or most of the Woods Groues and Orchards of this Kingdome I may well leaue to his wilde habitation being not so fit for a Garden and so well knowne that I meane not to giue you any further relation thereof But we haue a kinde hereof which is somewhat smaller and beareth milke white flowers without any shew of yellownesse in them and is more vsually brought into Gardens for the rarity and differeth not from the wilde or ordinary kinde either in roote or leafe or any thing else yet hauing those yellow spots but smaller and not so deepe as are in the other wilde kinde 2. Primula veris flore viridi simplici The single greene Primrose The single greene Primrose hath his leaues very like vnto the greater double Primrose but smaller and of a sadder greene colour the flowers stand seuerally vpon long foot-stalkes as the first single kinde doth but larger then they and more laide open of the same or very neare the same yellowish greene colour that the huske is of so that at the first opening the huske and the flower seeme to make one double greene flower which afterwards separating themselues the single flower groweth aboue the huske and spreadeth it selfe open much more then any other single Primrose doth growing in the end to be of a paler greene colour 3. Primula veris flore viridante albo simplici The single greene and white Primrose The leaues of this differ in a manner nothing from the former neither doth the flower but only in this that out of the large yellowish green huskes which contain the flowers of the former there commeth forth out of the middle of each of them either a small peece of a whitish flower or else a larger sometimes making vp a whole flower like an ordinary Primrose 4. Primula veris flore viridi duplici The double greene Primrose This double Primrose is in his leaues so like the former single greene kindes that 1 Primula veris flore albo The white Primrose 2 Primula veris flore viridi albo
beholders eyes with good content and those I will set downe here for varietie and adioyne vnto them some of the Linarias or Tode Flaxe for the neare affinity with them 1. Linum siluestre flore albo Wilde Flaxe with a white flower This kinde of wilde Flaxe riseth vp with diuers slender branches a foote high or better full of leaues standing without order being broader and longer then the manured Flaxe the tops of the branches haue diuers faire white flowers on them composed of fiue large leaues a peece with many purple lines or strikes in them the seede vessell as well as the seede is like vnto the heads and seede of the manured Flaxe the rootes are white strings and abide diuers yeares springing fresh branches and leaues euery yeare but not vntill the Spring of the yeare 2. Linum siluestre luteum Wilde Flaxe with a yellow flower This wilde Flaxe doth so well resemble a kinde of St. Iohns wort that it will soone deceiue one that doth not aduisedly regard it For it hath many reddish stalkes and small leaues on them broader then the former wilde Flaxe but not so long which are well stored with yellow flowers as large as the former made of fiue leaues a peece which being past there come small flattish heads containing blackish seede but not shining like the former the rootes hereof dye not euery yeare as many other of the wilde kindes doe but abide and shoote out euery yeare 3. Linaria purpurea Purple Tode Flaxe This purple Tode Flaxe hath diuers thicke small long and somewhat narrowish leaues snipt about the edges of a whitish greene colour from among which rise vp diuers stalkes replenished at the tops with many small flowers standing together one aboue another spike-fashion which are small and somewhat sweete while they are fresh fashioned somewhat like the common Tode flaxe that groweth wilde abroad almost euery where but much smaller with a gaping mouth but without any crooked spurre behinde like vnto them sometimes of a sad purple neare vnto a Violet and sometimes of a paler blew colour hauing a yellow spot in the middle or gaping place after the flowers are past there come small hard round heads wherein are contained small flat and grayish seede the roote is small and perisheth for the most part euery yeare and will spring againe of it owne sowing if it be suffered to shed it selfe yet some hard Winters haue killed the seede it should seeme in that sometimes it faileth to spring againe and therefore had neede to be sowne anew in the Spring 4. Linaria purpurea odorata Sweete purple Tode Flaxe The lower leaues of this purple Tode Flaxe are nothing like any of the rest but are long and broad endented about the edges somewhat resembling the leaues of the greater wilde white Daisie the stalke is set at the bottome with such like leaues but a little more diuided and cut in and still smaller and smaller vpward so that the vppermost leaues are very like the common Tode Flaxe the toppe whereof is branched hauing diuers small flowers growing along vpon them in fashion and colour almost like the last described Tode Flaxe but not altogether so deepe a purple the heads and seedes are very like the former but that the seede of this is reddish the flowers 1 Linum siluestre flore albo Wilde Flaxe with a white flower 2 Linaria purpurea siue caerulea Purple Tode Flaxe 3 Linaria pupurea odorata Sweete purple Tode Flaxe 4 Scoparia siue Beluidere Italorum Broome Tode Flaxe 5 Antirrhinum maius The greater Snapdragon 6 Chamaenerium flore delphinij The willowe flower in their naturall hot Countries haue a fine sent but in these colder little or none at all the rootes are small and threadie and perish after they haue flowred and seeded 5. Linaria Valentina Tode Flaxe of Valentia This Spanish Tode Flaxe hath three or foure thicker and bigger stalkes then the former bearing small broad leaues like vnto the small Centory two or three together at a ioynt round about the lower end of the stalkes but without any order vpwards at the toppes whereof stand many flowers in fashion like vnto the common kinde and almost as large of a faire yellow colour but the gaping mouth is downie and the spurre behinde of a purplish colour 6. Scoparia siue Beluidere Italorum Broome Tode Flaxe Although this plant haue no beautifull flowers yet because the greene plant full of leaues is so delightfull to behold being in Italy and other places planted not onely in their Gardens but set likewise in pots to furnish their Windowes and euen with vs also hath growne to be so dainty a greene bush that I haue thought it worthy to be among the delights of my Garden the description whereof is as followeth This pleasant Broome Flaxe riseth vp most vsually with one straight vpright square stalke three foote and a halfe high or better in our Gardens branching it selfe out diuers waies bearing thereon many long narrow leaues like the Garden Line or Flaxe very thicke set together like vnto a bush or rather like vnto a faire greene Cypresse tree growing broad belowe and spire-fashion vpwards of a very faire greene colour at the seuerall ioynts of the branches towards the tops and among the leaues there come forth small reddish flowers not easily seene nor much regarded being of no beauty which turne into small round blackish gray seede the rootes are a number of blackish strings set together and the whole plant perisheth euery yeare at the first approach of any cold ayre as if it neuer had beene so faire a greene bush The Place These kindes of wilde Flaxe doe growe naturally in diuers places some in Germany some in Spaine and some in Italy Those that delight in the beauty of natures variety doe preserue them to furnish vp the number of pleasant aspects The Time They all flower in the Summer moneths and soone after perfect their seede The Names Their names are sufficiently expressed in their titles yet I must giue you to vnderstand that the last is called of some Linaria magna and of others Osyris The Vertues The wilde Flaxe hath no medecinable vertue appropriate vnto it that is knowne The Tode Flaxe is accounted to be good to cause one to make water CHAP. XLIIII Antirrhinum Snapdragon THere is some diuersity in the Snapdragons some being of a larger and others of a lesser stature and bignesse and of the larger some of one and some of another colour but because the small kindes are of no beautie I shall at this time onely entreate of the greater sorts 1. Antirrhinum album White Snapdragon The leaues of these Snapdragons for I doe vnder one description comprehend the rest are broader longer and greener then the leaues of the Garden Flaxe or of the wilde Flaxe set confusedly vpon the tender greene branches which are spread on all sides from the very bottome bearing at the toppes many flowers somewhat resembling the
a pale yellowish red striped with white lines after the flowers are past there come small long pods wherin are contained flat reddish seede the rootes are small reddish and hard spreading branching and enterlacing themselues very much and is fit to be placed on some shady side of a garden the whole plant is rather of a strong then any good sent yet is cherished for the pleasant varietie of the flowers The Place Caesalpinus saith it groweth on the mountaines of Liguria that is nigh vnto Ligorne in the Florentine Dominion Cametarius saith nigh vnto Vicenzo in Italie Bauhinus on the Euganian hils nigh vnto Padoa and in Romania in shadowie wet grounds The Time It flowreth from Iune vntill the end of Iuly and to the middle of August if it stand as I said it is fittest in a shadowie place The Names It is of most Writers accepted for the true Epimedium of Dioscorides though he saith it is without flower or seede being therein eyther mistaken or mis-informed as he was also in Dictamnus of Candy and diuers other plants From the triple triplicitie of the standing of the stalkes and leaues and quadriplicitie of the flowers it might receiue another name in English then is already imposed vpon it but lest I might be thought to be singular or full of noueltie let it passe with the name Barrenwort as it is in the title The Vertues It is thought of diuers to agree in the propertie of causing barrennesse as the ancients doe record of Epimedium CHAP. LIIII Papauer satiuum Garden Poppies OF Poppies there are a great many sorts both wilde and tame but because our Garden doth entertaine none but those of beautie and respect I wil onely giue you here a few double ones and leaue the rest to a general suruey 1. Papauer multiplex album Double white Poppies The double white Poppy hath diuers broade and long whitish greene leaues giuing milke as all the rest of the plant aboue ground doth wheresoeuer it is broken very much rent or torne in on the sides and notched or indented besides compassing at the bottome of them a hard round brittle whitish greene stalke branched towards the toppe bearing one faire large great flower on the head of euery branch which before it breaketh out is contained within a thin skinne and being blowne open is very thick of leaues and double somewhat iagged at the ends and of a white colour in the 1 Viola Martia simplex Single March Violets 2 Viola Martia multiplex Double March Violets 3 Viola flammea siue tricolor Ordinary garden Pansies or Harts ease 4 Viola flammea lutea magna Great yellow Pansies 5 Viola triâ—olor dâ—pleâ— Double Panâ—ies or Harts eases 6 Epimedium Barrenwort 7 Papauer sativum flore plâ—no Double garden Poppies 8 Papauer sativum flore pleâ—â— lacivâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 feathereâ— Poppieâ— 9 Nigella Hispanica flore amplo Spanish Nigella or Fenell flower 10 Nigella multiplex caerulea Double blew Nigella or Fenell flower 11 Nigella duplex flore albo Double white Nigella 12 Ptarmica flore pleno Double wilde Pelletory middle whereof standeth a round head or bowle with a striped crowne on the heade of it very like a starre compassed about with some threds wherein when it is ripe is contained small round white seede disposed into seuerall cels the roote is hard wooddy and long perishing euery yeare and must bee new sowne euery Spring if they doe not spring of their own sowing which if it doe the flowers are seldome so faire and double as they that are sowne in the Spring the whole plant is of a strong heady smell 2. Papauer multiplex rubescens Double red or blush Poppies This other kind of double Poppy differeth not in any other thing from the former but only in the colour of the flowers which are of a bright red tending to a blush colour parted paned or striped in many places with white and exceedingly more iagged then the former almost like a feather at the ends the bottomes of all the leaues being white the seede hereof is white as the former which is not so in any other Poppie that beareth not a full white flower 3. Papauer multiplex nigrum siue purpureum Double purple or murry Poppies This kinde varyeth both in flowers and seede although neyther in leaues or any other thing from the first the flowers are thicke and double and somewhat iagged at the ends in some more in some lesse eyther red or blush or purplish red more or lesse or of a sad murrey or tawney with browne or blacke or tawny bottomes the seede is eyther of a grayish blew colour or in others more blackish 4. Papauer Rhaas flore multiplici The double red field Poppie This double Poppie is like the wilde or fielde Poppie which is well knowne to all to haue longer narrower and more iagged greene leaues then the former the stalkes more hairy and the flower of a deepe yellowish red colour knowne to all Now this differeth in nothing from it but in the doublenesse of the flower which is very thicke and double but not so large as the former This riseth of seede in the like manner as they doe and so to bee preserued The Place From what place they haue beene first gathered naturally I cannot assure you but we haue had them often and long time in our gardens being sent from Italie and other places The double wilde kindes came from Constantinople which whether it groweth neere vnto it or further off we cannot tell as yet The Time They flower in the beginning or middle of Iune at the furthest the seede is ripe within a small while after The Names The generall knowne name to all is Papauer Poppie the seuerall distinctions are according to their colours Yet our English Gentlewomen in some places call it by a by-name Ione siluer pinne subauditur Faire without and fowle within The Vertues It is not vnknowne I suppose to any that Poppie procureth sleepe for which cause it is wholly and onely vsed as I thinke but the water of the wilde Poppies besides that it is of great vse in Pleuresies and Rheumatick-or thinner Distillations is found by daily experience to bee a soueraigne remedy against surfeits yet some doe attribute this propertie to the water of the wilde Poppies CHAP. LV. Nigella The Fenell flower or Nigella AMong the many sorts of Nigella both wilde and tame both single and double I will onely set downe three sorts to be noursed vp in this garden referring the rest to a Physicke garden or a generall Historie which may comprehend all 1. Nigella Hispanica flore simplici The great Spanish Nigella Spanish Nigella riseth vp with diuers greene leaues so finely cut and into so many parts that they are finer then Fenell and diuided somewhat like the leaues of Larkes heeles among which rise vp stalkes with many such like leaues vpon them branched into three or foure parts at the toppe of each whereof standeth one faire
formes of both which came their names but afterwards growing whiter more soft and open wherein lyeth yellowish round and flat seede somewhat like vnto the Kidney beane the roote is small and stringie dying downe euery yeare and must be new sowne in the spring if you desire to haue it 6. Medica spinosa maior Prickly or thorny Snailes or Buttons This kinde of Medica is in all things very like vnto the former both in the long trayling branches three leaues alwaies growing together but a little greater pale yellow flowers and crooked or winding heads but herein chiefly consisteth the difference that this kinde hath his heads or buttons harder a little greater more closed together and set with short and somewhat hard prickles all the head ouer which being pulled open haue those prickles standing on each side of the filme or skinne whereof the head consisteth somewhat like vnto a fish bone and in this kinde goeth all one way in which are contained such like seedes for the forme as are in the former but great and blacke and shining withall 7. Medica spinosa altera Small thorney Buttons or Snailes This other kinde is also like vnto the last described in all other things except in the heads or buttons which are a little smaller but set with longer and softer prickes vpon the filmes and may easily bee discerned to goe both forwards and backewards one enterlacing within another wherein are contained such like flat and blacke shining seede made after the fashion of a kidney as are in the former but somewhat smaller the roote perisheth in like manner euery yeare 8. Medica lata Broade Buttons This kinde differeth not from the first in leafe or flower the fruite onely hereof is broade and flat and not so much twined as it 9. Medica Lunata Halfe Moones This is also a kinde of these Medicke fodders hauing a trefoyle leafe and yellow flowers like the former sorts but both somewhat larger the chiefest different consisteth in the head or fruite which is broade and flat and not twined like the rest but abideth halfe closed resembling a halfe Moone and thereupon hath assumed both the Latine and English name wherein is contained flat seede kidney fashion like the former 10. Hedysarum clypeatum The red Sattin flower This red flowred Fitchling hath many stalkes of winged faire greene leaues that is of many set on both sides a middle ribbe whereof that at the end is the greatest of the rest from the ioynts where the leaues stand come forth pretty long small stalkes bearing on them very many flowers vp to the toppe one aboue another of an excellent shining red or crimson colour very like vnto Sattin of that colour and sometimes of a white colour as Master William Coys a Gentleman of good respect in Essex a great and ancient louer and cherisher of these delights and of all other rare plants in his life time assured me he had growing in his garden at Stubbers by North Okenden which are somewhat large and more closed together almost flat and not open as in most of the other sorts after the flowers are past there come rough flat round huskes somewhat like vnto the old fashioned round bucklers without pikes three or foure standing one vpon or aboue another wherein are contained small brownish seede the roote perisheth the same yeare it beareth seede for oftentimes it flowreth not the first yeare it is sowne 11. Scorpioides maius minus Great and small Caterpillers Vnder one description I comprehend both these sorts of Scorpions grasse or Caterpillers or Wormes as they are called by many whereof the greater hath been known but of late yeares and ioyne them to these pulses not hauing a fitter place where to insert them It is but a small low plant with branches lying vpon the ground and somewhat long broad and hard leaues theron among which come forth small stalkes bearing at the end for the most part two small pale yellowish flowers like vnto Tares or Vetches but smaller which turne into writhed or crooked tough cods in the greater sort they are much thicker rounder and whiter and lesser wound or turned together then in the smaller which are slenderer more winding yet not closing like vnto the Snailes and blacker more like vnto a Caterpiller then the other wherein are contained brownish yellow seede much like vnto a Medica the rootes of both are small and fibrous perishing euery yeare The Place These are found seuerally in diuers and seuerall places but wee sow and plant them vsually to furnish our gardens The Time They doe all flower about the moneths of Iune and Iuly and their seede is ripe soone after but the second is earlier then the rest The Names The first is called Clymenum of Matthiolus and Lathyris of Lobel and others but Lathyris in Greeke is Cataputia in Latine which is our Spurge farre differing from this Pulse and therefore Lathyrus is more proper to distinguish them asunder that two plants so farre vnlike should not bee called by one name this is also called Lathyrus latifolius because there is another called augustifolius that differeth from it also It is most vsually called with vs Pisum perenne and in English Pease blossome or Pease euerlasting The second is called by Clusius Orobus venetus because it was sent him from Venice with another of the same kinde that bore white flowers yet differeth but little or nothing from that kinde he found in Hungary that I thinke the seuerall places of their growing only cause them to beare seuerall names and to be the same in deede Although I yeeld vnto Clusius the Latine name which doth not sufficiently content mee yet I haue thought good to giue it a differing English name according as it is in the title The third because I first receiued it among other seeds from Spaine I haue giuen it the name as it is entituled The fourth is called of some Sandâ—lida Cretica Lotus siliquosus flore rubello Lotus tetragonolobus Pisum rubrum Pisum quadratum We vsually call it in English Crimson Pease or square Pease The Medica Cochleata is called of Dodonaeus Trifolium Cochleatum but not iudged to be the true Medica Wee call it in English Medick fodder Snailes Clauer or as it is in the title and so the rest of the Medica's accordingly The Hedysarum clypeatum or Securidaca is called of Dodonaeus Onobrichis altera and we in English for the likenesse The red Sattin flower although some foolishly call it the red or French Honysuckle The last is called by Lobel Scorpioides bupleurifolio I haue called it minus because the greatest sort which came to me out of Spaine was not knowne vnto him in English they are generally called Caterpillers The Vertues The Medica's are generally thought to feede cattell fat much more then the Medow Trefoile or Clauer grasse and therefore I haue known diuers Gentlemen that haue plowed vp some of their pasture grounds and
double white Peony 5 Helleborus vernus atrorubente flore The early â—â—ite Ellebor with a darke red flower 6 Helleborus niger verus The Christmas flower 7 Calceolus Mariae Our Ladies Slipper downe the causes reasons and errours were to spend more time then I intend for this worke Wee call them in English Peonie and distinguish them according to their titles The Vertues The male Peony roote is farre aboue all the rest a most singular approued remedy for all Epilepticall diseases in English The falling sicknesse and more especially the greene roote then the dry if the disease be not too inueterate to be boyled and drunke as also to hang about the neckes of the younger sort that are troubled herewith as I haue found it sufficiently experimented on many by diuers The seede likewise is of especiall vse for women for the rising of the mother The seede of the female kinde as well as the rootes are most vsually sold and may in want of the other be and so are generally vsed CHAP. LXXXI Helleborus niger Beares foote THere are three sorts of blacke Hellebor or Beares foote one that is the true and right kinde whose flowers haue the most beautifull aspect and the time of his flowring most rare that is in the deepe of Winter about Christmas when no other can bee seene vpon the ground and two other that are wilde or bastard kindes brought into many Gardens for their Physicall properties but I will only ioyne one of them with the true kinde in this worke and leaue the other for another 1. Helleborus niger verus The true blacke Hellebor or Christmas flower The true blacke Hellebor or Beare foote as some would call it but that name doth more fitly agree with the other two bastard kindes hath many faire greene leaues rising from the roote each of them standing on a thicke round fleshly stiffe green stalke about an hand breadth high from the ground diuided into seuen eight or nine parts or leaues and each of them nicked or dented from the middle of the leafe to the pointward on both sides abiding all the Winter at which time the flowers rise vp on such short thicke stalkes as the leaues stand on euery one by it selfe without any leafe thereon for the most part or very seldome hauing one small short leafe not much vnder the flower and very little higher then the leaues themselues consisting of fiue broad white leaues like vnto a great white single Rose which sometimes change to be either lesse or more purple about the edges as the weather or time of continuance doth effect with many pale yellow thrummes in the middle standing about a greene head which after groweth to haue diuers cods set together pointed at the ends like hornes somewhat like the seede vessels of the Aconitum hyemale but greater thicker wherein is contained long round and blackish seede like the seede of the bastard kindes the rootes are a number of brownish strings running downe deepe into the ground and fastened to a thicke head of the bignesse of a finger at the toppe manie times and smaller still downewards 2. Helleboraster minor The lesser bastard blacke Hellebor or Beare foote The smaller Beare foote is in most things like vnto the former true blacke Hellebor for it beareth also many leaues vpon short stalkes diuided into many leaues also but each of them are long and narrow of a blacker greene colour snipt or dented on both edges which feele somewhat hard or sharpe like prickes and perish euery yeare but rise againe the next Spring the flowers hereof stand on higher stalkes with some leaues on them also although but very few and are of a pale greene colour like in forme vnto the flowers of the former but smaller hauing also many greenish yellow threads or thrums in the middle and such like heads or seede vessels and blackish seed the rootes are stringie and blackish like the former The Place The first groweth onely in the Gardens of those that are curious and delight in all sorts of beautifull flowers in our Countrey but wilde in many places of Germany Italy Greece c. The other groweth wilde in many places of England as well as the other greater sort which is not here described for besides diuers places within eight or ten miles from London I haue seen it in the Woods of Northamptonshire and in other places The Time The first of these plants doth flower in the end of December and beginning of Ianuary most vsually and the other a moneth or two after and sometime more The Names The first is called Helleborus or Elleborus niger verus and is the fame that both Theophrastus and Dioscorides haue written of and which was called Melampodion of Melampus the Goateheard that purged and cured the mad or melancholicke daughters of Praetus with the rootes thereof Dodonaeus calleth it Veratrum nigrum primum and the other secundum Wee call it in English The true blacke Hellebor or the Christmas flower because as I said it is most commonly in flower at or before Christmas The second is a bastard or wilde kinde thereof it so nearely resembleth the true and is called of most of the later Writers Pseudoelleborus niger minor or Helleboraster minor for a distinction betweene it and the greater which is not here described and is called in English The smaller or lesser Beare foote and most vsed in Physicke because it is more plentifull yet is more churlish and strong in operation then the true or former kinde The Vertues The rootes of both these kindes are safe medecines being rightly prepared to be vsed for all Melancholicke diseases whatsoeuer others may feare or write and may be without danger applied so as care and skill and not temerary rashnesse doe order and dispose of them The powder of the dryed leaues especially of the bastard kinde is a sure remedy to kill the wormes in children moderately taken CHAP. LXXXII Elleborus albus White Ellebor or Neesewort THere are two sorts of great white Ellebors or Neeseworts whereas there was but one kinde knowne to the Ancients the other being found out of later dayes And although neither of both these haue any beauty in their flowers yet because their leaues being faire and large haue a goodly prospect I haue inserted them in this place that this Garden should not be vnfurnished of them and you not vnacquainted with them 1. Elleborus albus vulgaris White Ellebor or Neesing roote The first great white Ellebor riseth at the first out of the ground with a whitish greene great round head which growing vp openeth it selfe into many goodly faire large greene leaues plaited or ribbed with eminent ribbes all along the leaues compassing one another at the bottome in the middle whereof riseth vp a stalke three foot high or better with diuers such like leaues thereon but smaller to the middle thereof from whence to the toppe it is diuided into many branches hauing many small yellowish
and round and consist but of one leafe without diuision like vnto a Bell flower but not cornered at all which flowers as I said are of diuers colours and diuersly marked and spotted some being wholly white without any spot in them for the most part through all the flowers of the plant so likewise some being yellow and some wholly red some plants againe being mixed and spotted so variably either white and red or purple except here and there some may chance to be wholly white or red or purple among the rest or red and yellow through the whole plant except as before some may chance in this kinde to be eyther wholly red or wholly yellow that you shall hardly finde two or three flowers in a hundred that will bee alike spotted and marked without some diuersitie and so likewise euery day as long as they blow which is vntill the winters or rather autumnes cold blastes do stay their willing pronenesse to flower And I haue often also obserued that one side of a plant will giue fairer varieties then another which is most commonly the Easterne as the more temperate and shadowie side All these flowers doe open for the most part in the euening or in the night time and so stand blowne open vntill the next mornings sun beginne to grow warme vpon them which then close themselues together all the brims of the flowers shrinking into the middle of the long necke much like vnto the blew Bindeweede which in a manner doth so close vp at the sunnes warme heate or else if the day be temperate and milde without any sunne shining vpon them the flowers will not close vp for the most part of that day or vntill toward night after the flowers are past come seuerall seedes that is but one at a place as the flowers stood before of the bignesse sometimes of small pease but not so round standing within the greene huskes wherein the flowers stood before being a little flat at the toppe like a crowne or head and round where it is fastened in the cup of a blacke colour when it is ripe but else greene all the while it groweth on the stalke and being ripe is soone shaken downe with the wind or any other light shaking the roote is long and round greater at the head and smaller downwards to the end like vnto a Reddish spreading into two or three or more branches blackish on the outside and whitish within These rootes I haue often preserued by art a winter two or three for they will perish if they be left out in the garden vnlesse it be vnder a house side because many times the yeare not falling out kindely the plants giue not ripe seede and so we should be to seeke both of seede to sow and of rootes to set if this or the like art to keep them were not vsed which is in this manner Within a while after the first frosts haue taken the plants that the leaues wither and fall digge vp the rootes whole and lay them in a dry place for three or foure dayes that the superfluous moysture on the outside may be spent and dryed which done wrap them vp seuerally in two or three browne papers and lay them by in a boxe chest or tub in some conuenient place of the house all the winter time where no winde or moist ayre may come vnto them and thus you shall haue these rootes to spring a fresh the next yeare if you plant them in the beginning of March as I haue sufficiently tryed But some haue tryed to put them vp into a barrell or firkin of sand or ashes which is also good if the sand and ashes be thorough dry but if it bee any thing moist or if they giue againe in the winter as it is vsuall they haue found the moisture of the rootes or of the sand or both to putrefie the rootes that they haue beene nothing worth when they haue taken them forth Take this note also for the sowing of your seede that if you would haue variable flowers and not all of one colour you must choose out such flowers as be variable while they grow that you may haue the seede of them for if the flowers bee of one entire colour you shall haue for the most part from those seedes plants that will bring flowers all of that colour whether it be white red or yellow The Place These plants grow naturally in the West Indies where there is a perpetuall summer or at the least no cold frosty winters from whence the seede hath been sent into these parts of Europe and are dispersed into euery garden almost of note The Time These plants flower from the end of Iuly sometimes or August vntill the frosts and cold ayres of the euenings in October pull them down and in the meane time the seed is ripe The Names Wee haue not receiued the seedes of this plant vnder any other name then Mirabilia Peruviana or Admirabilis planta In English wee call them The meruaile of Peru or the meruaile of the world yet some Authors haue called it Gelseminum or Iasminum rubrum Indicum and Bauhinus Solanum Mexiocanum flore magno The Vertues We haue not knowne any vse hereof in Physicke CHAP. XCI Malua Mallowes OF the kindred of Mallowes there are a great number some of the gardens others wilde some with single flowers others with double some with whole leaues others with cut or diuided to entreate of them all is not my purpose nor the scope of this worke but onely of such whose flowers hauing beautie and respect are fit to furnish this garden as ornaments thereunto And first of those single kindes whose flowers come neerest vnto the fashion of the former Bell-flowers and after to the double ones which for their brauery are entertained euery where into euery Countrey womans garden 1. Malua Hispanica flore carneo amplo The Spanish blush Mallow The Spanish Mallow is in forme and manner of growing very like vnto our common fielde Mallow hauing vpright stalkes two or three foote high spread into diuers branches and from the bottome to the toppe beset with round leaues like vnto our Mallowes but somewhat smaller rounder and lesse diuided yet larger below then aboue the flowers are plentifully growing vpon the small branches folding or writhing their leaues one about another before they bee blowne and being open consist of fiue leaues with a long forked clapper therein of the same colour with the flower the chiefest difference from the common consisteth in this that the leaues of these flowers are longer and more wide open at the brimmes almost like a Bell-flower and of a faire blush or light carnation colour closing at night and opening all the day after the flowers are past there come such like round heads with small blacke seede like vnto the common kinde but somewhat smaller the roote is small and long and perisheth euery yeare 2. Alcea vulgaris flore carneo Vervaine Mallow
with blush flowers There is a Mallow that hath long stalkes and flowers like vnto the common wilde 1 Malua Hispanica flore carneo amplo The Spanish Mallow 2 Alcea Veneta The Venice Mallow 3 Alcea Americana Thorney Mallow 4 Alcea Aegâ—ptiae The Mallow of Egypt 5 Althaea â—rutex The shrubbe Mallow 6 Malua hortensis simplex Single Hollihockes 7 Malua rosea multiplex Double Hollihockes Mallow and of the same deepe colour with it so that you can hardly know it from the ordinary kinde which is found growing wilde together with it but onely by the leafe which is as round and as large as the former but cut into many fine diuisions euen to the stalke that vpholdeth it that it seemeth to consist onely of ragges or peeces of leaues Of this kinde I take a plante for this garden growing in all respects like vnto it but differing onely in the colour of the flowers which are of the same blush or light carnation colour or not much differing from the former Spanish kinde with some veines therein of a deeper colour the root hereof liueth as the root of the common wilde kinde doth 3. Alcea peregrina siue vesicaria Venice Mallow or Good night at noone The Venice Mallow hath long and weake stalkes most vsually lying or leaning vpon the ground hauing here and there vpon them long leaues and somewhat broad cut in or gashed very deepely on both edges that it seemeth as if they were diuers leaues set together euery one standing on a long footestalke at the ioynts of these stalkes where the leaues are set come forth seuerall flowers standing vpon long foot-stalkes which are somewhat larger then any of the former flowers consisting of fiue leaues small at the bottome and wide at the brimmes of a whitish colour tending to a blush and sometimes all white with spots at the bottomes of the leaues on the inside of a very deepe purple or murrey colour which addeth a great grace to the flower and hauing also a long pestle or clapper in the middle as yellow as gold these flowers are so quickly faded and gone that you shall hardly see any of them blowne open vnlesse it bee betimes in the morning before the Sunne doe grow warme vpon them for as soone as it feeleth the Sunnes warme heate it closeth vp and neuer openeth againe so that you shall very seldome see a flower blowne open in the day time after nine a clocke in the morning after these flowers are past there rise vp in their places thinne round shining or transparent bladders pointed at the toppe and ribbed down all along wherein are contained small round blackish seede the roote is long and small and perisheth euery yeare 4. Alcea fruticosa pentaphyllea Cinquefoile Mallow The stalkes of this Mallow are very long hard or wooddy more then of any of the other Mallowes at the lower part whereof and vp to the middle stand diuers leaues vpon long footestalkes parted or diuided into fiue parts or leaues and dented about the edges but vpwards from the middle to the toppe the leaues haue but three diuisions among these leaues stand large wide open flowers of the colour of the common Mallow the seede is smaller then in any other Mallow but the rootes are great and long spreading in the ground like vnto the roots of Marsh Mallowes springing vp afresh euery yeare from the roote 5. Sabdarifa seu Alcea Americana Thorney Mallowe This Thorney Mallowe hath greene leaues next vnto the ground that are almost round but pointed at the end and dented very much about the edges the other leaues that growe vpon the stalke are diuided into three parts like vnto a trefoile and some of them into fiue diuisions all of them dented about the edges the stalke is reddish with some harmelesse prickles in sundry places thereon and riseth vp three or foure foote high in a good ground a fit place and a kindly yeare bearing plenty of flowers vpon the stalkes one at the foote of euery leafe the toppe it selfe ending in a long spike as it were of buddes and leaues together the flowers are of a very pale yellow tending to a white colour spotted in the bottome of each of the fiue leaues with a deepe purple spot broad at the lower part and ending in a point about the middle of the leafe which are quickly fading and not abiding aboue one day with a long pestle in the middle diuided at the toppe after the flower is past commeth vp a short prickly podde set within a small greene huske or cup that bore the flower wherein is contained whitish or rather brownish yellow seede flat and somewhat round like vnto the seedes of Hollyhocke the roote is stringie and quickly perisheth for it will hardly endure in our cold Country to giue flowers much lesse seede vnlesse as I said before it happen in a kindly yeare and be well planted and tended 6. Bamia seu Alcea Aegyptia The Mallow of Egypt This Mallow is also as tender to nourse vp as the last hauing the lower leaues broad like a Marsh Mallow and of a fresh greene colour but those that growe vpon the stalke and vp to the toppe are diuided into fiue parts or points but are not cut in to the middle ribbe like the former Thorney Mallow yet dented about the edges like vnto them the flowers growe at the setting to of the leaues like vnto a Mallow for forme but of a whitish colour after which come long fiue square pointed pods with hard shels wherein are contained round blackish gray seede as bigge as a Vetch or bigger the roote perisheth quickly with vs euen with the first frosts 7. Althaea frutex flore albo vel purpureo Shrubbe Mallow with a white or purple flower There are diuers sorts of shrubbe Mallowes whereof some that haue their stemmes or stalkes lesse wooddy dye downe to the ground euery yeare and others that abide alwayes are more wooddy Of the former sorts I intend not to speake referring them to a fitter place and of the other I will onely giue you the knowledge of one or two in this place although I doe acknowledge their fittest place had been to be among the shrubbes but because they are Mallowes I pray let them passe with the rest of their kindred and their descriptions in this manner These wooddy kindes of shrub Mallowes haue somewhat large long and diuided leaues of a whitish greene colour soft also and as it were woolly in handling set dispersedly on the whitish hard or wooddy stalkes their flowers are large like vnto a single Rose or Hollyhocke in the one being white with purple spots in the bottome in the other either of a deepe red colour or else of a paler purple with a deeper bottome and with veines running in euery leafe they are somewhat tender and would not be suffered to be vncouered in the Winter time or yet abroad in the Garden but kept in a large pot or tubbe in the house
or in a warme cellar if you would haue them to thriue 8. Malua hortensis rosea simplex multiplex diuersorum colorum Hollihockes single and double of seuerall colours I shall not neede to make many descriptions of Hollihockes in regard the greatest difference consisteth in the flowers which are in some single in some double in some of one colour and in others of other colours for the lowest leaues of Hollihockes are all round and somewhat large with many corners but not cut in or diuided soft in handling but those that growe vp higher are much more diuided into many corners the stalkes sometimes growe like a tree at the least higher then any man with diuers such diuided leaues on them and flowers from the middle to the toppe where they stand as it were a long spike of leaues and buds for flowers together the flowers are of diuers colours both single and double as pure white and pale blush almost like a white and more blush fresh and liuely of a Rose colour Scarlet and a deeper red like a crimson and of a darke red like blacke bloud these are the most especiall colours both of single and double flowers that I haue seene the single flowers consist of fiue broad and round leaues standing round like vnto single Roses with a middle long stile and some chiues aboue them the double flowers are like vnto double Roses very thicke so that no stile or vmbone is seene in the middle and the outermost rowe of leaues in the flowers are largest the innermost being smaller and thicke set together after the flowers are past there come vp as well in the double as single flat round heads like flat cakes round about the bottomes whereof growe flat whitish seede the roote is long and great at the head white and tough like the roote of the common Mallowes but greater and will reasonably well abide the Winter The Place The first groweth wilde in Spaine The second in our owne Countrey The third is thought to growe in Italy and Venice but Lobel denieth it saying that it is there onely in Gardens and is more plentifull in these parts then with them The fourth Clusius saith he found in many places of Germany The fifth is supposed to be first brought out of the West Indies but an Arabicke name being giuen it maketh me somewhat doubtfull how to beleeue it The sixth groweth in Egypt where it is of great vse as Prosper Alpinus hath set downe in his Booke of Egyptian plants The seuenth groweth in some parts both of Spaine and France The last is not found but in Gardens euery where The Time The first second third fourth and last doe flower from Iune vntill the end of Iuly and August The rest flower very late many times not vntill September or October The Names The first and second haue their names sufficiently expressed in their titles The third is diuersly called as Malua horaria Alcea vesicaria Alcea Veneta Alcea Peregrina and of Matthiolus Hypecoum The most vsuall English name is Venice Mallow The fourth is called Alcea fruticosa pentaphyllea and Cannabinifolio or Pentaphyllifolio In English Cinquefoile Mallow The fifth hath been sent vnder the name of Sabdarifa and Sabdariffa and as I said is thought to be brought from America and therefore it beareth the name of that Country The sixth is called in Egypt Bamia or Bammia and by that name sent with the addition del Cayro vnto it In English Egyptian Mallow or Mallow of Egypt The seuenth is called Althaea frutex and of some Althaea arborea In English Shrubbe Mallow because his stemme is wooddie and abideth as shrubbes and trees doe The eight and last is called Malua hortensis Malua Rosea and of some Rosa vltra marina In English of some Hockes and vsually Hollihockes The Vertues All sorts of Mallowes by reason of their viscous or slimie quality doe helpe to make the body soluble being vsed inwardly and thereby helpe also to ease the paines of the stone and grauell causing them to be the more easily voided being outwardly applyed they mollifie hard tumors and helpe to ease paines in diuers parts of the body yet those that are of most vse are most common The rest are but taken vpon credit CHAP. XCII Amaranthus Flower-gentle WE haue foure or fiue sorts of Flower-gentle to trimme vp this our Garden withall which doe differ very notably one from another as shall be declared in their seuerall descriptions some of which are very tender and must be carefully regarded and all little enough to cause them beare seede with vs or else wee shall bee to seeke euery yeare others are hardy enough and will hardly be lost out of the Garden 1. Amaranthus purpureus minor The small purple Flower-gentle This gallant purple Veluet flower or Flower-gentle hath a crested stalke two foote high or more purplish at the bottome but greene to the toppe whereout groweth many small branches the leaues on the stalkes and branches are somewhat broad at the bottome and sharpe pointed of a full greene colour and often somewhat reddish withall like in forme vnto the leaues of Blites whereof this and the rest are accounted species or sorts or small Beetes the flowers are long spikie soft and gentle tufts of haires many as it were growing together broad at the bottome and small vp at the toppe pyramis or steeple-fashion of so excellent a shining deepe purple colour tending to a murrey that in the most excellent coloured Veluet cannot be seene a more orient colour and I thinke from this respect the French call it Passe velours that is to say passing Veluet in colour without any smell at all which being bruised giueth the same excellent purple colour on paper and being gathered in his full strength and beauty will abide a great time if it be kept out of the winde and sunne in a dry place in the same grace and colour among these tufts lye the seede scattered which is small very blacke and shining the rootes are a few threddy strings which quickly perish as the whole plant doth at the first approach of Winter weather 2. Amaranthus Coccineus Scarlet Flower-gentle The leaues of this Flower-gentle are longer and somewhat narrower then the former the stalke groweth somewhat higher bearing his long tufts at seuerall leaues as also at the toppe of the stalkes many being set together but separate one from another and each bowing or bending downe his head like vnto a Feather such as is worn in our Gallants and Gentlewomens heads of an excellent bloudy Scarlet colour the seede is blacke like vnto the former the roote perisheth quicklier because it is more tender 3. Amaranthus tricolor Spotted or variable Flower-gentle The chiefest beauty of this plant consisteth in the leaues and not in the flowers for they are small tufts growing all along the stalke which is nothing so high as the former especially with vs and at the ioynts with the leaues the leaues hereof
an excellent pale gold yellow colour and shining with some yellow threads or thrummes in the middle the roote dyeth not euery yeare but liueth long especially in the South and East Countries where no colds or frosts are felt but will require extraordinary care and keeping and yet scarce sufficient to preserue it in these cold Countries 4. Chrysocome siue Staechas Citrina Golden tufts or Golden Cassidony This Golden flower is somewhat like the former of these two last described hauing hoary stalkes and leaues standing confusedly on them being long and narrower then any of the former the tops of the stalkes are diuided into many parts each bearing a small long yellow head or flower at the toppe with some yellow thrummes in them which heads being many are diffusedly set together like a loose or sparsed vmbell keeping their colour long before they wither and when they are ripe haue thinne small reddish seede like Mariorome seede but smaller the roote is small and blacke the whole plant as well leaues and flowers as rootes are of a strong sharpe sent yet pleasant 5. Argyrocome siue Gnaphalium Americanum Liue long or Life euerlasting This siluer tuft or Indian Cotton weede hath many white heads of leafes at their first springing out of the ground couered with a hoary woollinesse like cotton which rising into hard thicke round stalkes containe still the same hoarinesse vpon them as also vpon the long and narrow leaues which are set thereon especially on the vnder side for the vpper sides are of a darke shining greene colour the stalkes are diuided at the toppe into many small branches each whereof haue many scaly tufted heads set together couered ouer with cotton before their opening and then disseuering one from another abiding very white on the outside when they are fully growne but with a small yellow thrume in the midde of euery flower which in time turne into yellow doune apt to be blowne away with euery winde the roots are long and black on the outside creeping vnder ground very much 6. Gnaphalium montanum flore albo flore purpureo White and purple Catsfoote This small Cudweede or Cottonweede hath many small white woolly leaues growing from the roote which is composed of a few small blackish threds and lying vpon the ground somewhat like vnto the leaues of a small Mouse eare but smaller from among which riseth vp a small stalke of halfe a foote high or thereabouts beset here and there with some few leaues at the top whereof commeth forth a tuft of small flowers set close together in some of a pure white in others of a purple or reddish colour in some of a pale red or blush and in others of a white and purple mixt together which for the beauty is much commended and desired but will hardly abide to be kept in Gardens so vnwilling they are to leaue their naturall abiding 7. Gnaphalium Roseum The Cotton Rose This little rose Cotton weede hath many such like woolly leaues growing as the former from the roote vpon small short branches not full an hand breadth high in fashion somewhat like vnto Daysie leaues but lesser and round pointed at the toppe of euery stalke or branch standeth one flower composed of two rowes of small white leaues layd open like a Starre or a Rose as it beareth the name hauing a round head in the middle made of many yellow threds or thrumes which falling away there riseth vp a small round head full of small seedes the root is small long and threddy The Place The foure first plants doe grow naturally in many of the hot Countries of Europe as Spaine Italie and Prouince in France as also in Candy Barbary and other places and must be carefully kept with vs in the winter time The Liue long was brought out of the West Indies and groweth plentifully in our gardens The two last doe grow as well in the colder Countries of Germany as in France and other places The Time They all flower in the end of September if they will shew out their beauty at all with vs for sometimes it is so late that they haue no faire colour at all especially the foure first sorts The Names Variable and many are the names that seuerall Writers do call these foure first sorts of plants as Helichrysum Heliochrysum or Elichrylum Eliochrysum Chrysocome Coma aurea Amaranthus luteus Stoechas Citrina and Aurelia with others needlesse here to be recited it is sufficient for this worke to giue you knowledge that their names are sufficient as they are expressed in their titles The fift is called Gnaphalium by Carolus Clusius from the likenesse of the vmbels or tufts of heads though greater and white for as I said before the Cotton weedes are of kindred with the golden tufts It hath been called by our English Gentlewomen Liue long and Life euerlasting because of the durabilitie of the flowers in their beautie The two last are called Gnaphalium according to their titles and in English they may passe vnder those names are set downe with them The Vertues The foure first are accounted to bee hot and dry and the three last to bee cold and dry yet all of them may to some good purpose bee applyed to rheumaticke heads The former foure are likewise vsed to cause vrine and in baths to comfort and heate cold parts They are also layd in chests and wardrobes to keepe garments from moths and are worne in the heads and armes of Gentiles and others for their beautifull aspect CHAP. XCIIII Canna Indica The Indian flowring Reede THere are two kindes or sorts of this beautifull plant the one with a red flower the other with a yellow spotted with reddish spots both which in some kindly yeares haue borne their braue flowers but neuer any ripe seede and doth not abide the extremities of our winters eyther abroade or vnder couert vnlesse it meete with a stoue or hot-house such as are vsed in Germany or such other like place For neyther house nor cellar will preserue it for want of heate Canna Indica flore rubro Red flowred Indian Reede This beautifull plant riseth vp with faire greene large broade leaues euery one rising out of the middle of the other and are folded together or writhed like vnto a paper Coffin as they call it such as Comfitmakers and Grocers vse to put in their Comfits and Spices and being spread open another riseth from the bottome thereof folded in the same manner which are set at the ioynts of the stalke when it is risen vp like vnto our water Reede and growing if it runne vp for flower to be three or foure foote high as I haue obserued in mine owne garden the flowers grow at the toppe of the stalke one aboue another which before their opening are long small round and pointed at the end very like vnto the claw of a Crauise or Sea-Crab and of the same red or crimson colour but being open are very like vnto the flower
Mullein then those of Plinie to engender Moths Wee vse none of these plants in Physicke in these daies CHAP. XCIX Valeriana Valerian THe many sorts of Valerian or Set-wall as many doe call them are fitter for a generall worke or a generall Physicall Garden of Simples then this of delightfull flowers I will therefore select out a few worthy of the place and offer them to your considerations 1. Valeriana rubra Dodonaei Red Valerian This Valerian hath diuers hard but brittle whitish greene stalkes rising from the roote full of tuberous or swelling ioynts whereat stand two leaues on each side one and now and then some small leaues from betweene them which are somewhat long and narrow broadest in the middle and small at both ends without either diuision or incisure on the edges of a pale greene colour the stalkes are branched at the top into diuers parts at the ends whereof stand many flowers together as it were in an vmbell or tuft somewhat like vnto the flowers of our ordinary Valerian but with longer neckes and of a fine red colour very pleasant to behold but of no sent of any Valerian after these flowers haue stood blowne a very great while they sodainely fall away and the seede is ripe very quickly after which is whitish standing vpon the branches naked as the Valerians doe and very like vnto them with a little white doune at the end of euery one of them whereby they are soone carried away with the winde the roote is great thicke and white continuing long and shooting out new branches euery yeare and smelling somewhat like a Valerian 2. Nardus Montana tuberosa Knobbed Mountaine Valerian This kinde of Valerian or Spiknard if you will so call it hath his first leaues lying on the ground without any diuision in them at all being smooth and of a dark greene colour which so abide all the winter but those that spring vp after and when it runneth vp to flower are cut in on the edges very like vnto the iagged leaues of the great garden Valerian and so the elder they grow the more cut and iagged they are the stalke and flowers are very like the stalke with flowers of the garden Valerian but of a darke or deepe red colour and more store of them thrust together by double the number almost the seede is like the seede of the great Valerian the root is tuberous or knobbed in many parts round about aboue and below also with some fibres shooting from them whereby it is encreased and smelleth very like the roote of the garden Setwall or not altogether so strong 1 Blattaria flore albo Moth Mullein with a white flower 2 Blattaria flore purpureo Moth Mullein with a purple flower 3 Verbascum â—uertum Matthioli French Sage 4 Aethiopis Ethiopian Mullein 5 Valeriana rubra Dodonaei Red Valerian 6 Valeriana Graeca Greek Valerian 7 Lamium Pannoniâ—â—m Hungary dead Nettle 8 Cardamine flore pleno Double Cuckowe flower or Ladies smocks 3. Valeriana Graeca Greeke Valerian The Greek Valerian hath many winged leaues lying vpon the ground that is many small leaues set on both sides of a middle ribbe very like vnto the wilde Valerian that groweth by the ditch sides but much smaller and tenderer among which rise vp one or two round brittle stalkes two foote high or thereabouts whereon are set at the ioynts such like leaues as grow below but smaller the toppes of the stalkes are diuided into many small branches thicke set together full with flowers consisting of fiue small round leaues a peece layd open like vnto the Cinquefoile flower with some white threds in the middle tipt with yellow pendents the colour of these flowers in some plants is of a faire bleake blew colour and in others pure white And I doe heare of one beyond the Seas if the report bee true for I haue not seene such a one which should beare red flowers after the flowers are past there come vp in their places small hard huskes or heads containing small blackish seedes the roote is composed of a number of small long blackish threds fastened together at the head without any sent at all of a Valerian eyther in roote or leafe and why it should bee called a Valerian I see no great reason for it agreeth with none of them in flower or seede and but onely with the wilde Valerian in leafe as I said before but as it is we so giue it you and for the flowers sake is receiued into our gardens to helpe to fill vp the number of natures rarities and varieties The Place All these Valerians are strangers but endenizond for their beauties sake in our Gardens The Mountaine Valerian I had of the liberalitie of my louing friend Iohn Tradescante who in his trauaile and search of natures varieties met with it and imparted thereof vnto me The Time They flower in the Summer moneths and seed quickly after The Names The first is generally called of most Valeriana rubra Dodonaei who saith also that some would haue it to be Behen rubrum Some call it Valerianthon others make it a kinde of Ocimastrum and some Saponaria altera with other names which are to no great purpose to set downe in this place it beeing fitter for a generall worke to discusse of names wherein both reading knowledge and iudgement must bee shewen to correct errours and set downe the truth that one may rest thereon The others haue their names in their titles sufficient to distinguish them The Vertues The Mountaine Valerian is of all the the rest here set downe of most vse in Physicke the rest hauing little or none that I know although it be much weaker then the great garden kinde or the Indian Nardus in whose steed anciently it was vsed in oyles oyntments c. CHAP. C. Cardamine Cuckow flowers or Ladies smockes OF the common sorts of Cuckow flowers that grow by ditch-sides or in moist medowes wet grounds it is not my purpose here to write but of one or two other the most specious or faire of all the tribe that doe best befit this garden 1. Cardamine flore pleno Double Cuckow flowers The double Cardamine hath a few winged leaues weake and tender lying on the ground very like vnto the single medow kinde from among which riseth vp a round greene stalke set here and there with the like leaues that grow below the top wherof hath a few branches whereon stand diuers flowers euery one vpon a small footestalk consisting of many small whitish round leaues a little dasht ouer with a shew of blush set round together which make a double flower the roote creepeth vnder ground sending forth small white fibres and shooteth vp in diuers places 2. Cardamine trifolia Trefoile Ladies smockes This small plant hath diuers hard darke round greene leaues somewhat vneuen about the edges alwayes three set together on a blackish small footstalke among which rise vp small round blackish stalkes halfe a foote high with three small
leaues at the ioynts where they branch forth at the toppes whereof stand many flowers consisting of foure leaues a peece of a whitish or blush colour very pale after which come vp small thicke and long pods wherein is contained small round seede the root is composed of many white threds from the heads whereof runne out small strings of a dark purple colour whereby it encreaseth The Place The first with the double flower is found in diuers places of our owne Countrey as neere Micham about eight miles from London also in Lancashire from whence I receiued a plant which perished but was found by the industrie of a worthy Gentlewoman dwelling in those parts heretofore remembred called Mistresse Thomasin Tunstall a great louer of these delights The other was sent me by my especial good friend Iohn Tradescante who brought it among other dainty plants from beyond the Seas and imparted thereof a roote to me The Time The last most vsually flowreth before the former yet not much differing that is in the end of Aprill or in May. The Names The first is a double kinde of that plant that growing wilde abroade is vsually called Cardamine altera and Sisymbrium alterum of Dioscorides and of some Flos cuculi but not fitly for that name is more vsually giuen vnto the wilde featherd Campions both single and double as is before expressed yet for want of a fitter name wee may call it in English eyther Cuckowe flower or Ladyes smockes which you will The second hath beene sent vnder the name of Sanicula trifolia but the most frequent name now receiued is Cardamine trifolia and in English Trefoile Ladies spockes The Vertues The double Ladies smockes are of the same qualitie with the single and is thought to be as effectuall as Watercresses The propertie of the other I thinke is not much knowne although some would make it a wound herbe CHAP. CI. Thlaspi Creticum Candy Tufts OF the many sorts of Thlaspi it is not the scope of this worke to relate I will select but onely two or three which for their beautie are fit to bee inserted into this garden Thlaspi Creticum vmbellatum flore albo purpureo Candy Tufts white and purple This small plant riseth seldome aboue a foote and a halfe high hauing small narrow long and whitish greene leaues notched or dented with three or foure notches on each side from the middle to the point-wards from among which rise vp the stalkes branched from the bottome almost into diuers small branches at the toppes whereof stand many small flowers thick thrust together in an vmbell or tuft making them seeme to be small round double flowers of many leaues when as euery flower is single and standeth a part by it selfe of a faire white colour in some plants without any spot and in others with a purplish spot in the centre or middle as if some of the middle leaues were purple in others againe the whole flower is purplish all ouer which make a pretty shew in a garden the seede is contained in many small and flat seed vessels which stand together in an vmbell as the flowers did in which are contained somewhat reddish seede like vnto some other sorts of Thlaspi called Treakle Mustards the roote is small and hard and perisheth euery yeare hauing giuen seede Thlaspi Marinum Baticum We haue another sort whose leaues before it sendeth forth any stalke are a little toothed or finely dented about the edges and brancheth not so much out but carryeth an vmbell of purplish flowers like vnto the former and paler yellow seede The Place These doe grow in Spaine and Candie not farre from the Sea side The Time These Thlaspi giue not their flowers vntill the end of Iune or beginning of Iuly and the seed is ripe soone after The Names The first is named by some Draba or Arabis as Dodonaeus but Draba is another plant differing much from this Wee call one sort Thlaspi Creticum and the other Thlaspi Baticum marinum because the one came from Spaine and the other from Candy we giue it in English the name of Tufts because it doth fit the forme of the flowers best although ordinarily all the Thlaspi are Englished Wilde Mustardes The Vertues Candy or Spanish Tufts is not so sharpe biting in taste as some other of the Thlaspies are and therefore is not to be vsed in medicines where Thlaspi should be in the stead thereof CHAP. CII Clematis Clamberers or Creepers HAuing shewed you all my store of herbes bearing fine flowers let mee now bring to your consideration the rest of those plants be they Shrubs or Trees that are cherished in our garden for the beauty of their flowers chiefly or for some other beautifull respect and first I will begin with such as creepe on the ground without climing and then such as clime vp by poles or other things that are set or grow neere them fit to make Bowers and Arbours or else are like them in forme in name or some other such qualitie or propertie 1. Clematis Daphnoides siue Vinca peruinca simplex minor diuersorum colorum Single Perwinkle of diuers colours The smaller Perwinkle which not onely groweth wilde in many places but is most vsuall in our Gardens hath diuers creeping branches trayling or running vpon the ground shooting out small fibres at the ioynts as it creepeth taking thereby hold in the ground and rooteth in diuers places at the ioynts of these branches stand two small darke greene shining leaues somewhat like vnto small Baye leaues but smaller and at the ioynts likewise with the leaues come forth the flowers one at a ioynt standing vpon a tender footestalke being somewhat long and hollow parted at the brims sometimes into foure leaues and sometimes into fiue the most ordinary sort is of a pale or bleake blew colour but some are pure white and some of a darke reddish purple colour the root is in the body of it little bigger then a rush bushing in the ground and creeping with his branches farre about taking roote in many places whereby it quickely possesseth a great compasse and is therefore most vsually planted vnder hedges or where it may haue roome to runne 2. Vinca peruinca flore duplici purpureo Double purple Perwinkle The double Perwinkle is like vnto the former single kinde in all things except in the flower which is of that darke reddish purple colour that is in one of the single kindes but this hath another row of leaues within the flower so that the two rowes of leaues causeth it to be called double but the leaues of these are lesser then the single I haue heard of one with a double white flower but I haue not yet seene it 3. Clematis Daphnoides siue Peruinca maior The greater Perwinkle This greater Perwinkle is somewhat like the former but greater yet his branches creepe not in that manner but stand more vpright or lesse creeping at the least the leaues also hereof stand by couples
the former the flowers are smaller but of the same fashion and colour the cods blackish and thin and not very long or great but lesser then Broome cods wherein there lyeth small blackish hard seede the roote is diuersly dispersed in the ground The Place The first groweth in the kingdome of Naples and no doubt in many other places of Italie as Matthiolus saith The other groweth in diuers places of France The Time They flower for the most part in May or Iune the seede is ripe in August or September The Names The first as I said is thought of most to be the true Cytisus of Dioscorides and as is thought was in these later dayes first found by Bartholomaeus Maranta of Naples who sent it first to Matthiolus and thereupon hath euer since beene called after his name Cytisus Maranthae Some doe call it Cytisus Lunatus because the cods are made somewhat like vnto an halfe Moone We call it in English Horned Tree Trefoile The other is called Cytisus vulgaris or vulgatior in English The common Tree Trefoile because we haue not any other so common The Vertues The chiefest vertues that are appropriate to these plants are to procure milke in womens breasts to fatten pullen sheep c. and to be good for bees CHAP. CXXII Colutaea The Bastard Sena Tree WEe haue in our Gardens two or three sorts of the Bastard Sena tree a greater as I may so call it and two lesser the one with round thin transparent skins like bladders wherein are the seede the others with long round cods the one bunched out or swelling in diuers places like vnto a Scorpions tale wherein is the seede and the other very like vnto it but smaller 1. Colutaea Vesicaria The greater Bastard Sena with bladders This shrub or tree or shrubby tree which you please to call it riseth vp to the height of a pretty tree the stemme or stock being sometimes of the bignesse of a mans arme couered with a blackish greene rugged barke the wood whereof is harder then of an Elder but with an hollownesse like a pith in the heart or middle of the branches which are diuided many wayes and whereon are set at seuerall distances diuers winged leaues composed of many small round pointed or rather flat pointed leaues one set against another like vnto Licoris or the Hatcher Fitch among these leaues come forth the flowers in fashion like vnto Broome flowers and as large of a very yellow colour after which appeare cleare thinne swelling cods like vnto thinne transparent bladders wherein are contained blacke seede set vpon a middle ribbe or sinew in the middle of the bladder which if it be a little crushed betweene the fingers will giue a cracke like as a bladder full of winde The roote groweth branched and woody 2. Colutaea Scorpioides maior The greater Scorpion podded Bastard Sena This Bastard Sena groweth nothing so great or tall but shooteth out diuersly like vnto a shrub with many shoots springing from the root the branches are greener but more rugged hauing a white barke on the best part of the elder growne branches for the young are greene and haue such like winged leaues set on them as are to be seen in the former but smaller greener and more pointed the flowers are yellow but much smaller fashioned somewhat like vnto the former with a reddish stripe downe the backe of the vppermost leafe the long cods that follow are small long and round distinguished into many diuisions or dents like vnto a Scorpions tayle from whence hath risen the name in these seuerall diuisions lye seuerall blacke seede like vnto the seede of Fenigrecke the roote is white and long but not so woody as the former 3. Colutaea Scorpioides minor The lesser Scorpion Bastard Sena This lesser Bastard Sena is in all things like the former but somewhat lower and smaller both in leafe flower and cods of seede which haue not such eminent bunches on the cods to be seene as the former The Place They grow as Matthiolus saith about Trent in Italie and in other places the former is frequent enough through all our Countrey but the others are more rare The Time They flower about the middle or end of May and their seede is ripe in August The bladders of the first will abide a great while on the tree if they be suffered and vntill the winde cause them to rattle and afterwards the skins opening the seed will fall away The Names The name Colutaea is imposed on them and by the iudgement of most writers the first is taken to bee that Colutaea of Lipara that Theophrastus maketh mention of in the seuenteenth chapter of his third booke But I should rather thinke that the Scorpioides were the truer Colutaea of Theophrastus because the long pods thereof are more properly to bee accounted siliquae then the former which are vesicae tumentes windy bladders and not siliquae and no doubt but Theophrastus would haue giuen some peculiar note of difference if he had meant those bladders and not these cods Let others of iudgement be vmpeeres in this case although I know the currant of writers since Matthiolus doe all hold the former Colutaea veficaria to be the true Colutaea Liparae of Theophrastus Wee call it in English Bastard Sena from Ruellius who as I thinke first called it Sena from the forme of the leaues The second and third as I said before from the forme of the cods receiued their names as it is in the titles and descriptions yet they may as properly be called Siliquosae for that their fruite are long cods The Vertues Theophrastus saith it doth wonderfully helpe to fatten sheepe But sure it is found by experience that if it be giuen to man it causeth strong castings both vpwards and downwards and therefore let euery one beware that they vse not this in steede of good Sena lest they feele to their cost the force thereof CHAP. CXII Spartum Hispanicum frutex Spanish Broome ALthough Clusius and others haue found diuers sorts of this shrubby Spartum or Spanish Broome yet because our Climate will nourse vp none of them and euen this very hardly I shall leaue all others and describe vnto you this one only in this manner Spanish Broome groweth to bee fiue or sixe foote high with a woody stemme below couered with a darke gray or ash-coloured barke and hauing aboue many pliant long and slender greene twigs whereon in the beginning of the yeare are set many small long greene leaues which fall away quickly not abiding long on towards the tops of these branches grow the flowers fashioned like vnto Broom flowers but larger as yellow as they and smelling very well after which come small long cods crested at the backe wherein is contained blackish flat seede fashioned very like vnto the Kidney beanes the roote is woody dispersing it selfe diuers waies The Place This groweth naturally in many places of France Spaine and Italie wee haue it as an ornament
ouer from thence vnto vs and also in Lanquedocke and Prouence in France The Time It flowreth early in those hot Countries but with vs not vntill Iune and Iuly The Names It is called of some Nardus Italica and Lauendula the greater is called Faemina and the lesser Mas. We doe call them generally Lauender or Lauender Spike and the lesser Spike without any other addition The Vertues Lauender is little vsed in inward physicke but outwardly the oyle for cold and benummed parts and is almost wholly spent with vs for to perfume linnen apparrell gloues leather c. and the dryed flowers to comfort and dry vp the moisture of a cold braine CHAP. CXXVIII Staechas Sticadoue Cassidony or French Lauender CAssidony that groweth in the Gardens of our Countrey may peraduenture somewhat differ in colour as well as in strength from that which groweth in hotter Countries but as it is with vs it is more tender a great deale then Lauender and groweth rather like an herbe then a bush or shrub not aboue a foote and a halfe high or thereabouts hauing many narrow long greene leaues like Lauender but softer and smaller set at seuerall distances together about the stalkes which spread abroad into branches at the tops whereof stand long and round and sometimes foure square heads of a darke greenish purple colour compact of many scales set together from among which come forth the flowers of a blewish purple colour after which follow seede vessels which are somewhat whitish when they are ripe containing blackish browne seede within them the roote is somewhat wooddy and will hardly abide the iniuries of our cold Winters except in some places onely or before it haue flowred The whole plant is somewhat sweete but nothing so much as Lauender The Place Cassidony groweth in the Islands Staechades which are ouer against Marselles and in Arabia also we keep it with great care in our Gardens The Time It flowreth the next yeare after it is sowne in the end of May which is a moneth before any Lauender The Names It is called of some Lauendula siluestris but most vsually Staechas in English of some Stickadoue or French Lauender and in many parts of England Cassidony The Vertues It is of much more vse in physicke then Lauender and is much vsed for old paines in the head It is also held to be good for to open obstructions to expell melancholy to cleanse and strengthen the liuer and other inward parts and to be a Pectorall also CHAP. CXXIX Abrotanum faemina siue Santolina Lauender Cotton THis Lauender Cotton hath many wooddy but brittle branches hoary or of a whitish colour whereon are set many leaues which are little long and foure square dented or notched on all edges and whitish also at the tops of these branches stand naked stalkes bearing on euery one of them a larger yellow head or flower then eyther Tansie or Maudeline whereunto they are somewhat like wherein is contained small darke coloured seede the roote is hard and spreadeth abroad with many fibres the whole plant is of a strong sweete sent but not vnpleasant and is in many places planted in Gardens to border knots with for which it will abide to be cut into what forme you thinke best for it groweth thicke and bushy very fit for such workes besides the comely shew the plant it selfe thus wrought doth yeeld being alwayes greene and of a sweet sent but because it quickly groweth great and will soon runne out of forme it must be euery second or third yeare taken vp and new planted The Place It is onely planted in Gardens with vs for the vses aforesaid especially The Time It flowreth in Iuly and standeth long in the hot time of the yeare in his colour and so will doe if it be gathered before it haue stood ouer long The Names Diuers doe call it as Matthiolus doth Abrotanum faemina and Santolina and some call it Chamaecyparissus because the leaues thereof are somewhat like the leaues of the Cypresse tree Wee call it in English generally Lauender Cotton The Vertues This is vsually put among other hot herbes eyther into bathes ointments or other things that are vsed for cold causes The seede also is much vsed for the wormes CHAP. CXXX Ocimum Bassill BAssill is of two sorts besides other kindes for this our Garden the one whereof is greater the other lesse in euery part thereof as shall be shewed 1. Ocimum Citratum Common Bassill Our ordinary Garden Bassill hath one stalke rising from the root diuersly branched out whereon are set two leaues alwayes at a ioynt which are broad somewhat round and pointed of a pale greene colour but fresh a little snipt or dented about the edges and of a strong or heady sent somewhat like a Pomecitron as many haue compared it and thereof call it Citratum the flowers are small and white standing at the tops of the branches with two smal leaues at euery ioynt vnder them in some plants green in others browne vnder them after which commeth blackish seede the roote perisheth at the first approach of winter weather and is to be new sowen euery yeare 2. Ocimum minimum siue Gariophyllatum Bush Basill The bush Basill groweth not altogether so high but is thicker spreade out into branches whereon grow smaller leaues and thicker set then the former but of a more excellent and pleasant smell by much the flowers are white like the former and the seede blacke also like it and perisheth as suddenly or rather sooner then it so that it requireth more paines to get it and more care to nourse it because we seldome or neuer haue any seede of it Ocimum Indicum Indian Basill The Indian Basill hath a square reddish greene stalke a foote high or better from the ioynts whereof spreade out many branches with broade fat leaues set thereon two alwayes together at the ioynt one against another as other Basils haue but somewhat deepely cut in on the edges and oftentimes a little crumpled standing vpon long reddish footestalkes of a darke purple colour spotted with deeper purple spots in some greater in others lesser the flowers stand at the tops of the stalkes spike-fashion which are of a white colour with reddish stripes and veines running through them set or placed in darke purple coloured huskes the seede is greater and rounder then the former and somewhat long withall the roote perisheth in like manner as the other former doe The whole plant smelleth strong like vnto the other Basils The Place The two last sorts of Basils are greater strangers in our Country then the first which is frequent and only sowen and planted in curious gardens The last came first out of the West Indies The Time They all flower in August or Iuly at the soonest and that but by degrees and not all at once The Names The first is vsually called Ocimum vulgare or vulgatius and Ocimum Citratum In English Common or Garden Basill The other
hauing many weake and somewhat flexible branches leaning a little downwards or easily borne downe with the winde or other thing beset with many winged leaues of a darke grayish greene colour whereof diuers are smaller and some greater then others the flowers growe many together vpon a long stalke comming forth from betweene the leaues and the great stalkes euery one seuerally vpon a short foot-stalke somewhat like the flower of Tabacco for the forme being one whole leafe six cornered at the brimmes but somewhat larger and of a pale blewish purple colour or pale doue colour and in some almost white with some red threads in the middle standing about a thicke gold yellow pointell tipped with greene at the end after the flowers are past there come vp in their places small round fruit as bigge as a Damson or Bulleis greene at the first and somewhat whitish afterwards with many white seedes therein like vnto Nightshade the rootes are rounder and much smaller then the former and some much greater then others dispersed vnder ground by many small threads or strings from the rootes of the same light browne colour on the outside and white within as they and neare of the same taste but not altogether so pleasant 1 Carum Carawayes 2 Battatas Hisoanorum Spanish Potatoes 3 Papas seu Battatas Virginianorum Virginia Potatoes 4 Battatas de Canada Potatoes of Canada or Artichokes of Ierusalem The Vse of all these Potato's The Spanish Potato's are roasted vnder the embers and being pared or peeled and sliced are put into sacke with a little sugar or without and is delicate to be eaten They are vsed to be baked with Marrow Sugar Spice and other things in Pyes which are a daintie and costly dish for the table The Comfit-makers preserue them and candy them as diuers other things and so ordered is very delicate fit to accompany such other banquetting dishes The Virginia Potato's being dressed after all these waies before specified maketh almost as delicate meate as the former The Potato's of Canada are by reason of their great increasing growne to be so common here with vs at London that euen the most vulgar begin to despise them whereas when they were first receiued among vs they were dainties for a Queene Being put into seething water they are soone boyled tender which after they bee peeled sliced and stewed with butter and a little wine was a dish for a Queene beeing as pleasant as the bottome of an Artichoke but the too frequent vse especially being so plentifull and cheape hath rather bred a loathing then a liking of them CHAP. L. Cinara Artichokes THe fruits that grow vpon or neere the ground are next to be entreated of and first of Artichokes whereof there be diuers kindes some accounted tame and of the Garden others wilde and of late planted in Gardens Orchards or Fieldes of purpose to be meate for men 1 Cinarasatiua rubra The red Artichoke 2 Cinara satiua alba The whâ—te Artichoke 3 Cinara patala The French Artichoke 4 Ciâ—ara â—luestis The Thistle Artichoke 5 Carduus esculentas The Chardon The white Artichoke is in all things like the red but that the head is of a whitish ashe colour like the leaues whereas the former is reddish We haue also another whose head is greene and very sharpe vpwards and is common in many places Wee haue had also another kinde in former times that grew as high as any man and branched into diuers stalkes euery one bearing a head thereon almost as bigge as the first There is another kinde called the Muske Artichoke which groweth like the French kinde but is much better in spending although it haue a lesser bottome The French Artichoke hath a white head the scales whereof stand staring far asunder one from another at the ends which are sharpe this is well known by this qualitie that while it is hot after it is boyled it swelleth so strong that one would verily thinke it had bin boyled in stinking water which was brought ouer after a great froste that had well nigh consumed our best kindes and are now almost cleane cast out again none being willing to haue it take vp the roome of better There is a lowe kinde that groweth much about Paris which the French esteeme more then any other and is lower then the former French kinde the head whereof as well as the leaues is of a fresher greene colour almost yellowish Then there is the Thistle Artichoke which is almost a wilde kinde and groweth smaller with a more open and prickly head then any of the former And lastly the Chardon as they call it because it is almost of the forme and nature of a Thistle or wilde Artichoke This groweth high and full of sharpe prickles of a grayish colour Iohn Tradescante assured mee hee saw three acres of Land about Brussels planted with this kinde which the owner whited like Endiue and then sold them in the winter Wee cannot yet finde the true manner of dressing them that our Countrey may take delight therein All these kindes are encreased by slipping the young shootes from the root which being replanted in February March or Aprill haue the same yeare many times but the next at the most borne good heads Wee finde by dayly experience that our English red Artichoke is in our Countrey the most delicate meate of any of the other and therefore diuers thinking it to bee a seuerall kinde haue sent them into Italie France and the Lowe Countries where they haue not abode in their goodnesse aboue two yeare but that they haue degenerated so that it seemeth that our soyle and climate hath the preheminence to nourish vp this plant to his highest excellencie The Vse of Artichokes The manner of preparing them for the Table is well knowne to the youngest Housewife I thinke to bee boyled in faire water and a little salt vntill they bee tender and afterwardes a little vinegar and pepper put to the butter poured vpon them for the sawce and so are serued to the Table They vse likewise to take the boyled bottomes to make Pyes which is a delicate kinde of baked meate The Chardon is eaten rawe of diuers with vinegar and oyle pepper and salt all of them or some as euery one liketh for their delight CHAP. LI. Fabae Phaseoli Garden and French Beanes THe Garden Beane is of two colours red or blacke and white yet both rise from one the small or fielde Beanes I make no mention of in this place but the French or Kidney Beane is almost of infinite sorts and colours we doe not for all that intend to trouble you in this place with the knowledge or relation of any more then is fit for a Garden of that nature that I haue propounded it in the beginning Our ordinary Beanes seruing for foode for the poorer sort for the most part are planted as well in fieldes as in gardens because the quantity of them that are spent taketh vp many acres
Asarabacca A Sarabacca from a small creeping roote set with many fibres shooteth forth diuers heads and from euery of them sundry leaues euery one standing vpon a long greene stalke which are round thicke and of a very sad or darke greene colour and shining withall from the rootes likewise spring vp short stalkes not fully foure fingers high at the toppe of euery one of which standeth the flower in fashion very like the seede vessell of Henbane seede of a greenish purple colour which changeth not his forme but groweth in time to containe therein small cornered seed the greene leaues abide all the winter many times but vsually sheddeth them in winter and recouereth fresh in the spring The Vse of Asarabacca The leaues are much and often vsed to procure vomits fiue or seuen of them bruised and the iuice of them drunke in ale or wine An extract made of the leaues with wine artificially performed might bee kept all the yeare thorough to bee vsed vpon any present occasion the quantitie to bee proportioned according to the constitution of the patient The roote worketh not so strongly by vomit as the leaues yet is often vsed for the same purpose and besides is held auaileable to prouoke vrine to open obstructions in the liuer and spleene and is put among diners other simples both into Mithridatum and Andromachus Treakle which is vsually called Venice Treakle A dram of the dryed roots in pouder giuen in white wine a little before the fit of an ague taketh away the shaking fit therby cause the hot fit to be the more remisse and in twice taking expell it quite CHAP. LXIII Glycyrrhiza siue Liqueritia Licorice ALthough there are two sorts of Licorice set downe by diuers Authors yet because this Land familiarly is acquainted but with one sort I shall not neede for this Garden to make any further relation of that is vnknowne but onely of that sort which is sufficiently frequent with vs. It riseth vp with diuers wooddy stalks whereon are set at seuerall distances many winged leaues that is to say many narrow long greene leaues set together on both sides of the stalke and an odde one at the end very well resembling a young Ashe tree sprung vp from the seede this by many yeares continuance in a place without remouing and not else will bring forth flowers many standing together spike-fashion one aboue another vpon the stalkes of the forme of Pease blossomes but of a very pale or bleake blew colour which turne into long somewhat flat and smooth cods wherein is contained small round hard seede the roote runneth downe exceeding deep into the ground with diuers other smaller roots and fibres growing with them and shoote out suckers from the maine rootes all about whereby it is much encreased of a brownish colour on the outside and yellow within of a farre more weake sweete taste yet far more pleasing to vs then that Licorice that is brought vs from beyond Sea because that being of a stronger sweet taste hath a bitternesse ioyned with it which maketh it the lesse pleasing and acceptable to most The Vse of Licorice Our English Licorice is now adaies of more familiar vse as I said before then the outlandish and is wholly spent and vsed to helpe to digest and expectorate flegme out of the chest and lunges and doth allay the sharpenesse or saltnesse thereof It is good also for those are troubled with shortnesse of breath and for all sorts of coughes The iuice of Licorice artificially made with Hyssope water serueth very well for all the purposes aforesaid It being dissolued with Gum Tragacanth in Rose water is an excellent Lohoc or licking medicine to breake flegme and to expectorate it as also to avoyde thin frothy matter or thin salt flegme which often fretteth the lunges It doth also lenifie exulcerated kidneyes or the bladder and helpeth to heale them It is held also good for those that cannot make their water but by drops or a small deale at a time The dryed root finely minced is a speciall ingredient into all Trageas or Dredges seruing for the purposes aforesaid but the vse of them is almost wholly left now adaies with all sorts Thus haue I shewed you not only the herbes rootes and fruites noursed vp in this Garden but such herbes as are of most necessary vses for the Country Gentlewomens houses And now I will shew you the Orchard also THE ORDERING OF THE ORCHARD The third part or ORCHARD CHAP. I. The situation of an Orchard for fruit-bearing trees and how to amend the defects of many grounds AS I haue done in the two former parts of this Treatise so I meane to proceede in this first to set downe the situation of an Orchard and then other things in order And first I hold that an Orchard which is or should bee of some reasonable large extent should be so placed that the house should haue the Garden of flowers iust before it open vpon the South and the Kitchen Garden on the one side thereof should also haue the Orchard on the other side of the Garden of Pleasure for many good reasons First for that the fruit trees being grown great and tall will be a great shelter from the North and East windes which may offend your chiefest Garden and although that your Orchard stand a little bleake vpon the windes yet trees rather endure these strong bitter blasts then other smaller and more tender shrubs and herbes can doe Secondly if your Orchard should stand behinde your Garden of flowers more Southward it would shadow too much of the Garden and besides would so binde in the North and East and North and West windes vpon the Garden that it would spoile many tender things therein and so much abate the edge of your pleasure thereof that you would willingly wish to haue no Orchard rather then that it should so much annoy you by the so ill standing thereof Thirdly the falling leaues being still blowne with the winde so aboundantly into the Garden would either spoile many things or haue one daily and continuall attending thereon to cleanse and sweepe them away Or else to auoide these great inconueniences appoint out an Orchard the farther off and set a greater distance of ground betweene For the ground or soile of the Orchard what I haue spoken concerning the former Garden for the bettering of the seuerall grounds may very well serue and be applyed to this purpose But obserue this that whereas your Gardens before spoken of may be turned vp manured and bettered with soile if they growe out of heart your Orchard is not so easily done but must abide many yeares without altering and therefore if the ground be barren or not good it had the more neede to bee amended or wholly made good before you make an Orchard of it yet some there be that doe appoint that where euery tree should bee set you onely digge that place to make it good but you must know that
the former red kinde and without any thorne also vpon them the leaues are like vnto the former red but smaller the berries stand singly at the leaues as Gooseberries doe and are of a fine red colour when they are ripe but change with standing to be of a darker red colour of the bignesse of the small ordinary Gooseberry of a pretty tart taste and somewhat sweete withall The third red Gooseberry which is the greatest and knowne but vnto few is so like vnto the common great Gooseberry that it is hardly distinguished the fruit or berries grow as plentifully on the branches as the ordinary and are as great round as the great ordinary kinde but reddish and some of them paler with red stripes The blew Gooseberry riseth vp to bee a bush like vnto the red Curran and of the same bignesse and height with broader and redder leaues at the first shooting out then the second red Gooseberry the berries are more sparingly set on the branches then on the small red and much about the same bignesse or rather lesser of the colour of a Damson with an ouershadowing of a blewish colour vpon them as the Damson hath before it be handled or wiped away The greene prickly Gooseberry is very like vnto the ordinary Gooseberry in stemme and branches but that they are not stored with so many sharpe prickles but the young shootes are more plentifull in small prickles about and the greene leafe is a little smaller the flowers are alike and so are the berries being of a middle size and not very great greene when they are thorough ripe as well as before but mellower and hauing a few small short prickles like small short haires vpon them which are harmlesse and without danger to anie the most dainty and tender palate that is and of a verie good pleasant taste The seede hereof hath produced bushes bearing berries hauing few or no prickles vpon them The Vse of Gooseberries The berries of the ordinary Gooseberries while they are small greene and hard are much vsed to bee boyled or scalded to make sawce both for fish and flesh of diuers sorts for the sicke sometimes as well as the sound as also before they be neere ripe to bake into tarts or otherwise after manie fashions as the cunning of the Cooke or the pleasure of his commanders will appoint They are a fit dish for women with childe to stay their longings and to procure an appetite vnto meate The other sorts are not vsed in Cookery that I know but serue to bee eaten at pleasure but in regard they are not so tart before maturity as the former they are not put to those vses they be CHAP. IIII. Oxyacantha sed potius Berberis Barberries THe Barberry bush groweth oftentimes with very high stemmes almost two mens height but vsually somewhat lower with manie shootes from the roote couered with a whitish rinde or barke and yellow vnderneath the wood being white and pithy in the middle the leaues are small long and very greene nicked or finely dented about the edges with three small white sharpe thornes for the most part set together at the setting on of the leaues the flowers doe growe vpon long clustering stalkes small round and yellow sweete in smell white they are fresh which turne into small long and round berries white at the first and very red when they are ripe of a sharpe sowre taste fit to set their teeth on edge that eate them the roote is yellow spreading far vnder the vpper part of the ground but not very deepe There is as it is thought another kinde whose berries are thrice as bigge as the former which I confesse I haue not seene and know not whether it be true or no for it may peraduenture be but the same the goodnesse of the ground and ayre where they growe and the youngnesse of the bushes causing that largenesse as I haue obserued in the same kinde to yeeld greater berries There is said to be also another kinde whose berries should be without stones or seede within them not differing else in anie thing from the former but because I haue long heard of it and cannot vnderstand by all the inquirie I haue made that any hath seene such a fruit I rest doubtfull of it The Vse of Barberries Some doe vse the leaues of Barberries in the stead of Sorrell to make sawce for meate and by reason of their sowrenesse are of the same quality The berries are vsed to be pickled to serue to trimme or set out dishes of fish and flesh in broth or otherwise as also sometime to bee boyled in the broth to giue it a sharpe rellish and many other wayes as a Master Cooke can better tell then my selfe The berries are preserued and conserued to giue to sicke bodies to helpe to coole any heate in the stomacke or mouth and quicken the appetite The depurate iuyce is a fine menstrue to dissolue many things and to verie good purpose if it be cunningly handled by an Artist The yellow inner barke of the branches or of the rootes are vsed to be boyled in Ale or other drinkes to be giuen to those that haue the yellow iaundise As also for them that haue anie fluxes of choller to helpe to stay and binde Clusius setteth downe a secret that hee had of a friend of a cleane differing propertie which was that if the yellow barke were laid in steepe in white wine for the space of three houres and afterwards drunke it would purge one very wonderfully CHAP. V. Nux Auellana The Filberd THe Filberd tree that is planted in Orchards is very like vnto the Hasell nut tree that groweth wilde in the woods growing vpright parted into many boughes and tough plyable twigges without knots couered with a brownish speckled smooth thinne rinde and greene vnderneath the leaues are broad large wrinkled and full of veines cut in on the edges into deepe dents but not into any gashes of a darke greene colour on the vpperside and of a grayish ash colour vnderneath it hath small and long catkins in stead of flowers that come forth in the Winter when as they are firme and close and in the Spring open themselues somewhat more growing longer and of a brownish yellow colour the nuts come not vpon those stalkes that bore those catkins but by themselues and are wholly inclosed in long thicke rough huskes bearded as it were at the vpper ends or cut into diuers long iagges much more then the wood nut the nut hath a thinne and somewhat hard shell but not so thicke and hard as the wood nut in some longer then in other and in the long kinde one hath the skinne white that couereth the kernels and another red There is another sort of the round kinde that came from Constantinople whose huske is more cut torne or iagged both aboue and belowe then any of our country the barke also is whiter and more rugged then ours and the leaues somewhat larger We
haue had from Virginia Hasell nuts that haue beene smaller rounder browner thinner sheld and more pointed at the end then ours I know not if any hath planted of them or if they differ in leafe or any thing else The Vse of Filberds Filberds are eaten as the best kinde of Hasell nuts at bankets among other dainty fruits according to the season of the yeare or otherwise as euery one please But Macer hath a Verse expressing prettily the nature of these nuts which is Ex minimis nucibus nulli datur esca salubris that is There is no wholsome food or nourishment had from these small kinde of nuts Yet they are vsed sometime physically to be rested and made into a Lohoc or Electuary that is vsed for the cough or cold And it is thought of some that Mithridates meant the kernels of these nuts to be vsed with Figs and Rue for his Antidote and not of Walnuts CHAP. VI. Vitis The Vine THere is so great diuersities of Grapes and so consequently of Vines that bear them that I cannot giue you names to all that here grow with vs for Iohn Tradescante my verie good friend so often before remembred hath assured me that he hath twentie sorts growing with him that hee neuer knew how or by what name to call them One description therefore shall serue as I vse to doe in such varieties for all the rest with the names afterwards of as many as we can giue and the seuerall formes colours and proportions of the grapes The manured Vine in the places where it hath abiden long time groweth to haue a great bodie stemme or trunke sometimes of the bignesse of a mans arme sleeue and all spreading branches if it bee suffered without end or measure but vsually stored with many armes or branches both old and new but weake and therefore must bee sustained whereof the old are couered with a thin scaly rinde which will often chap and peele off of it selfe the youngest being of a reddish colour smooth and firme with a hollownesse or pith in the middle from the ioints of the young branches and sometimes from the bodie of the elder breake out on euerie side broade greene leaues cut on the edges into fiue diuisions for the most part and besides notched or dented about right against the leafe and likewise at other ioynts of the branches come forth long twining or clasping tendrels winding themselues about any thing standeth next vnto them at the bottome of these leaues come forth clusters of small greenish yellow bloomes or flowers and after them the berries growing in the same manner in clusters but of diuers formes colours tastes and greatnesse For some grapes are great others lesse some very small as the Currans that the Grocers sell some white some red blew blacke or partie-coloured some are are as it were square others round some the clusters are close others open some are sweete others sower or harsh or of some other mixed taste euerie one differing from others verie notably either in taste colour or forme within euerie one of which grapes and yet there is a grape without stones are contained one two or more kernels or stones some of them being smal others greater the rootes spread far and deepe They that keepe their Vines in the best order doe cut them low not suffering them to grow high or with too many branches whereby they grow the better take vp the lesser roome and bring their grapes fairer and sweeter The kinds of Vines and Grapes Our ordinarie Grape both white and red which excelleth Crabs for veriuice and is not fit for wine with vs. The white Muscadine Grape is a verie great Grape sweete and firme some of the bunches haue weighed sixe pound and some of the grapes halfe an ounce The redde Muscadine is as great as the white and chiefly differeth in colour The Burlet is a very great white Grape but fitter for veriuice then wine for the most part yet when a hot yeare happeneth fit for it the Grape is pleasant The little blacke Grape that is ripe very early The Raisin of the Sunne Grape is a very great Grape and very great clusters of a reddish colour when it is ripe with vs yet in an extraordinarie hot yeare it hath got a little blewnesse cast ouer it by the heat but naturally verie blew The Curran Grape or the Grape of Corinth is the least Grape of all and beareth both few and verie seldome with vs but in reasonable great clusters and of a blackish blew colour when they are ripe with vs and very sweete There is another sort of them that are red or browne and of a sower taste nothing so sweete The Greeke wine Grape is a blackish Grape and very sweete The Frontignack is a white Grape of a verie sweete and delicate taste as the wine declareth that smelleth as it were of Muske The square Grape is reported to bear a Grape not fully round but sided or as it were square whereby it became so called The Damasco Grape is a great white grape very sweete and is the true Vva Zibeba that the Apothecaries should vse in the Trochisci Ciphi and such wee haue had in former times come ouer vnto vs in great long and round white boxes containing halfe an hundred weight a peece The Russet Grape is a reasonable faire grape exceeding sweet and whitish with a thicke skinne crusted ouer with a shew of ash colour The white long Grape is like vnto a Pigeons egge or as it were pointed pendent like a Pearle The partie-coloured Grape is a reasonable great Grape and discoloured when it is ripe sometimes the whole bunches and sometimes but some of the grapes being parted whitish and blacke halfe through verie variably The Rhenish wine Grape is a white Grape and endureth the cold of winter when it commeth earely more then the Muscadine before set downe and is nothing so sweete The White wine Grape is verie like vnto the Rhine Grape the soile only and climate adding more sweetnesse vnto the one then to the other The Claret wine Grape is altogether like the white Grape but that it is not white but of a reddish colour which lying bruised vpon the skins before they are pressed giue that Claret tincture to the wine The Teint is a Grape of a deeper or darker colour whose iuice is of so deepe a colour that it serueth to colour other wine The Bursarobe is a faire sweete white Grape of much esteeme about Paris The Alligant is a verie sweete Grape giuing so deep and liuely a coloured red wine that no other whatsoeuer is comparable to it and therfore vsually called Spaniards blood The blew or blacke Grape of Orleans is another blacke Grape giuing a darke coloured sweete wine much commended in those parts The Grape without stones is also a kinde by it selfe and groweth naturally neere Ascalon as Brochard affirmeth the wine whereof is redde and of a good taste The Virginia Vine whereof I
must needes make mention among other Vines beareth small Grapes without any great store of iuice therein and the stone within it bigger then in any other Grape naturally it runneth on the ground and beareth little The Vse of Vines Grapes and other parts that come of them The greene leaues of the Vine are cooling and binding and therefore good to put among other herbes that make gargles and lotions for sore mouthes And also to put into the broths and drinke of those that haue hot burning feauers or any other inflammation They stay as it is held for true womens longings if they be either taken inwardly or applyed outwardly Wine is vsually taken both for drinke and medicine and is often put into sawces broths cawdles and gellies that are giuen to the sicke As also into diuers Physicall drinkes to be as a vehiculum for the properties of the ingredients It is distilled likewise after diners manners with diuers things for diuers sundry waters to drinke for diuers purposes both inward and outward 1 Vuae nigrae minores The small blacke Grape 2 Vuae caeruleae maiores The great blew Grape 3 Vuae Moschatellinae The Muscadine Grape 4 Vuae Suratenses The Burlet Grape 5 Vuae insoldâ—â— The Raysins of the tunne Grape 6 Ficus The Figge tree Also distilled of it selfe is called Spirit of wine which serueth to dissolue and to draw out the tincture of diuers things and for many other purposes The iuice or veriuice that is made of greene hard grapes before they be ripe is vsed of the Apothecaries to be made into a Syrupe that is very good to coole and refresh a faint stomacke And being made of the riper grapes is the best veriuice farre exceeding that which is made of crabs to be kept all the yeare to be put both into meates and medicines The grapes of the best sorts of Vines are pressed into wine by some in these dayes with vs and much more as I verily beleeue in times past as by the name of Vineyard giuen to many places in this Kingdome especially where Abbies and Monasteries stood may bee coniectured but the wine of late made hath beene but small and not durable like that which commeth from beyond Sea whether our vnkindly yeares or the want of skill or a conuenient place for a Vineyard be the cause I cannot well tell you Grapes of all sorts are familiarly eaten when they are ripe of the sicke sometimes as well as the sound The dryed grapes which we call great Raysins and the Currans which we call small Raysins are much vsed both for meates broths and sawces in diuers manners as this Countrey in generall aboue any other wherein many thousands of Frailesfull Pipes Hogs-heads and Buts full are spent yearly that it breedeth a wonder in them of those parts where they growe and prouide them how we could spend so many The Raysins of the Sunne are the best dryed grapes next vnto the Damasco and are very wholsome to eate fasting both to nourish and to helpe to loosen the belly The dryed Lees of wine called Argoll or Tartar is put to the vse of the Goldsmith Dyer and Apothecary who doe all vse it in seuerall manners uery one in his art Of it the Apothecaries make Cremer Tartari a fine medicine to bee vsed as the Physitian can best appoint and doth helpe to purge humours by the stoole Thereof likewise they make a kinde of water or oyle fit to bee vsed to take away freckles spots or any such deformities of the face or skinne and to make it smooth It causeth likewise haire to growe more aboundantly in those places where it naturally should growe The liquor of the Vine that runneth forth when it is cut is commended to be good against the stone wheresoeuer it be but that liquor that is taken from the end of the branches when they are burnt is most effectuall to take away spots and markes ring-wormes and tetters in any place CHAP. VII Ficus The Figge tree THe Figge trees that are noursed vp in our country are of three sorts whereof two are high the one bearing against a wall goodly sweete and delicate Figs called Figs of Algarua and is blewish when it is ripe the other tall kinde is nothing so good neither doth beare ripe Figges so kindly and well and peraduenture may be the white ordinary kinde that commeth from Spaine The third is a dwarfe kinde of Figge tree not growing much higher then to a mans body or shoulders bearing excellent good Figges and blew but not so large as the first kinde The Figge trees of all these three kindes are in leaues and growing one like vnto another sauing for their height colour and sweetnesse of the fruit hauing many armes or branches hollow or pithy in the middle bearing very large leaues and somewhat thicke diuided sometimes into three but vsually into fiue sections of a darke greene colour on the vpperside and whitish vnderneath yeelding a milkie iuyce when it is broken as the branches also or the figges when they are greene the fruit breaketh out from the branches without anie blossome contrary to all other trees of our Orchard being round and long fashioned very like vnto a small Peare full of small white grains or kernels within it of a very sweete taste when it is ripe and very mellow or soft that it can hardly be carried farre without bruising The other two sorts you may easily know and vnderstand by so much as hath been said of them Take only this more of the Figge tree That if you plant it not against a bricke wall or the wal of an house c. it will not ripen so kindly The dwarfe Figge tree is more tender and is therefore planted in great square tubs to be remoued into the sunne in the Summer time and into the house in Winter The Vse of Figges Figges are serued to the table with Raysins of the Sunne and blanched Almonds for a Lenten dish The Figs that growe with vs when they are ripe and fresh gathered are eaten of diuers with a little salt and pepper as a dainty banquet to entertaine a freind which seldome passeth without a cup of wine to wash them downe In Italy as I haue beene enformed by diuers Gentlemen that haue liued there to study physicke they eate them in the same manner but dare not eate many for feare of a feuer to follow they doe account them to be such breeders of bloud and heaters of it likewise The Figges that are brought vs from Spaine are vsed to make Ptisan drinkes and diuers other things that are giuen them that haue coughes or colds It is one of the ingredients also with Nuts and Rice into Mithridates counterpoison The small Figges that growe with vs and will not ripen are preserued by the Comfitmakers and candid also to serue as other moist or candid banquetting stuffe CHAP. VIII Sorbus The Seruice tree THere are two kindes of Seruice trees that are
planted in Orchards with vs and there is also a wilde kinde like vnto the later of them with Ashen leaues found in the woods growing of it selfe whose fruit is not gathered nor vsed to bee eaten of any but birds And there is another kinde also growing wilde abroad in many places taken by the Country people where it groweth to be a Seruice tree and is called in Latine Aria Theophrasti whole leaues are large somewhat like Nut tree leaues but greene aboue and grayish vnderneath some doe vse the fruit as Seruices and for the same purposes to good effect yet both of these wilde kindes wee leaue for another worke and here declare vnto you onely those two sorts are noursed vp in our Orchards The more common or ordinary Seruice tree with vs is a reasonable great tree couered with a smooth barke spread into many great armes whereon are set large leaues very much cut in on the edges almost like vnto a Vine leafe or rather like vnto that kind of Maple that is vsually called the Sycomore tree with vs the flowers are white and growe many clustering together which after bring forth small browne berries when they are ripe of the bignesse almost of Hasell nuts with a small tuft as if it were a crowne on the head wherein are small blacke kernels The other kinde which is more rare with vs and brought into this Land by Iohn Tradescante heretofore often remembred hath diuers winged leaues many set together like vnto an Ashen leafe but smaller and euery one endented about the edges the flowers growe in long clusters but nothing so many or so close set as the wilde kinde the fruit of this tree is in some round like an Apple and in others a little longer like a Peare but of a more pleasant taste then the ordinarie kinde when they are ripe and mellowed as they vse to doe with both these kindes and with Medlars The Vse of Seruices They are gathered when they growe to be neare ripe and that is neuer before they haue felt some frosts and being tyed together are either hung vp in some warme roome to ripen them thoroughly that they may bee eaten or as some vse to doe lay them in strawe chaffe or branne to ripen them They are binding fit to be taken of them that haue any scouring or laske to helpe to stay the fluxe but take heed lest if you binde too much more paine and danger may come thereof then of the scouring CHAP. IX Mespilus The Medlar tree THere are three sorts of Medlers The greater and the lesser English and the Neapolitan The great and the small English Medlar differ not one from the other in any thing but in the size of the fruit except that the small kinde hath some prickes or thornes vpon it which the great one hath not bearing diuers boughes or armes from whence breake forth diuers branches whereon are set long and somewhat narrow leaues many standing together in the middle whereof at the end of the branch commeth the flower which is great and white made of fiue leaues broad at the ends with a nicke in the middle of euery one after which commeth the fruit being round and of a pale brownish colour bearing a crowne of those small leaues at the toppe which were the huske of the flower before the middle thereof being somewhat hollow and is harsh able to choake any that shall eate it before it be made mellow wherein there are certaine flat and hard kernels The Medlar of Naples groweth likewise to bee a reasonable great tree spreading forth armes and branches whereon are set many gashed leaues somewhat like vnto Hawthorne leaues but greater and likewise diuers thornes in many places the flowers are of an herbie greene colour and small which turne into smaller fruit then the former and rounder also but with a small head or crowne at the toppe like vnto it and is of a more sweete and pleasant taste then the other with three seeds only therein ordinarily The Vse of Medlars Medlars are vsed in the same manner that Seruices are that is to be eaten when they are mellowed and are for the same purposes to binde the body when there is a cause yet they as well as the Seruices are often eaten by them that haue no neede of binding and but onely for the pleasant sweetnesse of them when they are made mellow and sometimes come as a dish of ripe fruit at their fit season to be serued with other sorts to the table CHAP. X. Lotus The Lote or Nettle tree 1 Sorbus legitima The true Seruice tree 2 Sorbus vulgaris siue Torminalis The ordinary Seruice tree 3 Mespilus vulgaris The common Meâ—lar tree 4 Mespilus Aronia The Medlar of Naples 5 Lotus arbor The Nettle tree 6 Lotus Virginiana The Pishamin or Virginia Plumme 7 Cornus mas The Cornell Cherry tree The first or true Lote tree groweth to be a tree of a great height whose bodie and elder branches are couered with a smooth darke greene barke the leaues are somewhat rough in handling of a darke greene colour long pointed and somewhat deepe dented about the edges somewhat like vnto a Nettle leafe and oftentimes growe yellow toward Autumne the flowers stand here and there scattered vpon the branches after which come round berries like vnto Cherries hanging downewards vpon long foot-stalkes greene at the first and whitish afterwards but when they are ripe they become reddish and if they be suffered to hang too long on the branches they grow blackish of a pleasant austere taste not to be misliked wherein is a hard round stone The second which is a bastard kinde and called Guatacum Pataninum groweth to bee a faire tree with a smooth darke greene barke shooting out many faire great boughes and also slender greene branches beset with faire broad greene leaues almost like vnto the leaues of the Cornell tree but larger the flowers growe along the branches close vnto them without any or with a very short foote-stalke consisting of foure greene leaues which are as the huske containing within it a purplish flower made of foure leaues somewhat reddish the fruit standeth in the middle of the green huske greene at the first and very harsh but red and round when it is ripe and somewhat like a Plumme with a small point or pricke at the head thereof and of a reasonable pleasant taste or rellish wherein are contained flat and thicke browne seeds or kernels like vnto the kernels of Cassia Fistula somewhat hard and not so stonie but that it may somewhat easily be cut with a knife The third is called in Virginia Pishamin The Virginia Plumme if it be not all one with the former Guaiacana whereof I am more then halfe perswaded hath growne with vs of the kernels that were sent out of Virginia into great trees whose wood is very hard and brittle and somewhat white withall the branches are many and grow slender to the end couered with
Pruneola plum is a small white plum of a fine tart taste it was wont to bee vsually brought ouer in small round boxes and sold most commonly at the Comfit-makers cut in twaine the stone cast away at a very deere rate the tree groweth and beareth well with vs. The Shepway Bulleis is of a darke blewish brown colour of a larger size then the ordinary and of a sharpe taste but not so good as the common The white and the blacke Bulleis are common in most Countries being small round plums lesser then Damsons sharper in taste and later ripe The Flushing Bulleis groweth with his fruite thicke clustring together like grapes The Winter Creke is the latest ripe plum of all sorts it groweth plentifully about Bishops Hatfield The white Peare plum early ripe is of a pale yellowish greene colour The late ripe white Peare plum is a greater and longer plum greenish white and is not ripe vntill it be neere the end of September both waterish plums The blacke Peare plum is like vnto the white Peare plumme but that the colour is blackish when it is ripe and is of a very good rellish more firme and drye then the other The red Peare plumme is of the same fashion and goodnesse but is the worst of the three The white Wheate plum is a waterish fulsome plum The red Wheate plum is like the other for taste The Bowle plum is flat and round yet flatter on the one side then on the other which caused the name and is a very good rellished blacke plum The Friars plumme is a very good plum well tasted and comming cleane from the stone being blacke when it is ripe and some whitish spots vpon it The Catalonia plum is a very good plum The don Alteza is also a very good plum The Muscadine plum some call the Queene mother plumme and some the Cherry plum is a faire red plum of a reasonable bignesse and ripe about Bartholmew tide 1 Prunum Imperiale The Imperiall Plum 2 Prunum Tureicum The Turkey Plum 3 Prunum pracox rubrum The red Primordian Plum 4 Prunum Mytellinum The Mussell Plum 5 Prunum Ambarinum The Amber Plum 6 Prunum Regineum The Queen mother Plum 7 Prunum viride The green Oysterly Plum 8 Prunum Arantiacum The Orenge Plum 9 Prunum Myristicum The Nutmeg Plum 10 Prunum Siliquosum The Pescod Plum 11 Prunum Gandanense The Ganat Plum 12 Prunum Dactylites The Date Plum 13 Prunum Pyrinum praecox The early Peare Plum The Cherry plum remembred before speaking of the Muscadine plum is a very good plum but small The Amber plum is a round plum as yellow on the outside almost as yellow waxe of a sowre vnpleasant taste that which I tasted but I thinke it was not the right for I haue seene and tasted another of the same bignesse of a paler colour farre better rellished and a firmer substance comming cleane from the stone like an Apricocke The Apricocke plum is a good plum when it is in its perfection but that is seldome for it doth most vsually cracke thereby diminishing much of its goodnesse and besides yeeldeth gumme at the crackes The Eason plum is a little red plum but very good in taste The Violet plum is a small and long blackish blew plum ripe about Bartholomew tide a very good dry eating fruit The Grape plum is the Flushing Bulleis before remembred The Dennie plum is called also the Cheston or the Friars plum before remembred The Damaske Violet plum or Queen mother plum spoken of before The blacke Damascene plum is a very good dry plum and of a darkeblew colour when it is ripe The white Damson is nothing so well rellished as the other The great Damson or Damaske plum is greater then the ordinary Damson and sweeter in taste The blew Damson well knowne a good fruit The Coferers plum is flat like vnto a Peare plum it is early ripe and blacke of a very good rellish The Margate plum the worst of an hundred The green Oysterly plum is a reasonable great plum of a whitish green colour when it is ripe of a moist and sweete taste reasonable good The red Mirobalane plum groweth to be a great tree quickly spreading very thicke and farre very like the blacke Thorne or Sloe bush the fruit is red earlier ripe and of a better taste then the white The white Mirobalane plum is in most things like the former red but the fruit is of a whitish yellow colour and very pleasant especially if it be not ouer ripe both these had need to be plashed against a wall or else they will hardly beare ripe fruit The Oliue plum is very like a greene Oliue both for colour and bignesse and groweth lowe on a small bushing tree and ripeneth late but is the best of all the sorts of greene plums The white diapred plum of Malta scarce knowne to any in our Land but Iohn Tradescante is a very good plum and striped all ouer like diaper and thereby so called The blacke diapred plum is like the Damascene plum being blacke with spots as small as pins points vpon it of a very good rellish The Peake plum is a long whitish plum and very good The Pishamin or Virginia plum is called a plum but vtterly differeth from all sorts of plums the description whereof may truely enforme you as it is set downe in the tenth Chapter going before whereunto I referre you The Vse of Plums The great Damaske or Damson Plummes are dryed in France in great quantities and brought ouer vnto vs in Hogs-heads and other great vessels and are those Prunes that are vsually sold at the Grocers vnder the name of Damaske Prunes the blacke Bulleis also are those being dryed in the same manner that they call French Prunes and by their tartnesse are thought to binde as the other being sweet to loosen the body The Bruneola Plumme by reason of his pleasant tartnesse is much accounted of and being dryed the stones taken from them are brought ouer to vs in small boxes and sold deere at the Comfitmakers where they very often accompany all other sorts of banquetting stuffes Some of these Plums because of their firmnesse are vndoubtedly more wholsome then others that are sweete and waterish and causelesse offence in their stomackes that eate them and therefore are preserued with Sugar to be kept all the yeare None of them all is vsed in medicines so much as the great Damson or Damaske Prune although all of them for the most part doe coole lenifie and draw forth choller and thereby are fitted to be vsed of such as haue chollericke Agues CHAP. XIIII Mala Armeniaca siue Praecocia Apricockes THe Apricocke as I said is without question a kinde of Plumme rather then a Peach both the flower being white and the stone of the fruit smooth also like a Plumme and yet because of the excellencie of the fruit and the difference therein from all other Plummes I haue thought it meete to entreate thereof by it selfe and
Sunne as Matthiolus and others make them to be The Vse of the Cypresse tree For the goodly proportion this tree beareth as also for his euer-greene head it is and hath beene of great account with all Princes both beyond and on this side of the Sea to plant them in rowes on both sides of some spatious walke which by reason of their high growing and little spreading must be planted the thicker together and so they giue a goodly pleasant and sweet shadow or else alone if they haue not many in the middle of some quarter or as they thinke meete The wood thereof is firme and durable or neuer decaying of a brown yellow colour and of a strong sweete smell whereof Chests or Boxes are made to keepe apparell linnen furres and other things to preserue them from moths and to giue them a good smell Many Physicall properties both wood leaues and nuts haue which here is not my purpose to vnfold but only to tell you that the leaues being boyled in wine and drunke helpe the difficultie of making vrine and that the nuts are binding fit to bee vsed to stay fluxes or laskes and good also for ruptures 7. Arbutus The Strawberry tree THe Strawberry tree groweth but slowly and riseth not to the height of any great tree no not in France Italy or Spaine and with vs the coldnesse of our country doth the more abate his vigour so that it seldome riseth to the height of a man the barke of the body is rough and smooth in the younger branches the leaues are faire and greene very like vnto Baye leaues finely dented or snipped about the edges abiding alwayes greene thereon both Winter and Summer the flowers come forth at the end of the branches vpon long stalkes not clustering thicke together but in long bunches and are small white and hollow like a little bottle or the flower of Lilly Conually which after turne into rough or rugged berries most like vnto Strawberries which hath giuen the name to the tree somewhat reddish when they are ripe of a harsh taste nothing pleasant wherein are contained many small seedes It hardly bringeth his fruit to ripenesse in our countrey for in their naturall places they ripen not vntill Winter which there is much milder then with vs. The Vse of the Strawberry tree Amatus Lusitanus I thinke is the first that euer recorded that the water distilled from the leaues and flowers hereof should bee very powerfull against the plague and poysons for all the ancient Writers doe report that the fruit hereof being eaten is an enemy to the stomacke and head And Clusius likewise setteth downe that at Lishbone and other places in Portingall where they are frequent they are chiefly eaten but of the poorer sort women and boyes They are somewhat astringent or binding and therefore may well serue for fluxes It is chiefly noursed with vs for the beauty and rarenesse of the tree for that it beareth his leaues alwayes green 8. Alaternus The euer greene Priuet THe tree which we haue growing in our country called Alaternus groweth not to be a tree of any height but abiding lowe spreadeth forth many branches whereon are set diuers small and hard greene leaues somewhat round for the forme and endented a little by the edges it beareth many small whitish greene flowers at the ioynts of the stalkes and setting on of the lower leaues clustering thicke together which after turne into small blacke berries wherein are contained many small graines or seedes the beauty and verdure of these leaues abiding so fresh all the yeare doth cause it to be of the greater respect and therefore findeth place in their Gardens onely that are curious conseruers of all natures beauties The Vse of the euer greene Priuet It is seldome vsed for any Physicall property neither with vs nor in the places where it is naturall and plentifull but as Clusius reporteth hee learned that the Portingall Fishermen do dye their nets red with the decoction of the barke hereof and that the Dyers in those parts doe vse the small peeces of the wood to strike a blackish blew colour 9. Celastrus Theophrasti Clusio Clusius his Celastrus ALthough the Collectour who is thought to be Ioannes Molineus of the great Herball or History of plants and generally bearing Daleschampius name because the finding and relation of diuers herbes therein expressed is appropiate to him and printed at Lyons of all our moderne Writers doth first of all others appoint the Celastrus whereof Theophrastus onely among all the ancient Writers of plants maketh mention to be the first Alaternus that Clusius hath set forth in his History of rarer plants yet I finde that Clusius himselfe before his death doth appropiate that Celastrus of Theophrastus to another plant growing in the Garden at Leyden which formerly of diuers had beene taken to be a kinde of Laurus Tinus or the wilde Baye but he impugning that opinion for diuers respects decyphreth out that Leyden tree in the same manner that I doe and because it is not onely faire in bearing his leaues alwayes greene but rare also being noursed vp in our Land in very few places but principally with a good old Lady the widow of Sir Iohn Leuson dwelling neere Rochester in Kent I thought it fit to commend it for an ornament to adorne this our Garden and Orchard It groweth vp to the height of a reasonable tree the body whereof is couered with a darke coloured barke as the elder branches are in like manner the younger branches being greene whereon are set diuers leaues thicke together two alwayes at a ioynt one against another of a sad but faire greene colour on the vpperside and paler vnderneath which are little or nothing at all snipped about the edges as large as the leaues of the Laurus Tinus or wilde Baye tree at the end of the young branches breake forth between the leaues diuers small stalkes with foure or fiue flowers on each of them of a yellowish greene colour which turne into small berries of the bignesse of blacke Cherries greene at the first and red when they begin to be ripe but growing blacke if they hang too long vpon the branches wherein is contained a hard shell and a white hard kernell within it couered with a yellowish skin This abideth as I said before with greene leaues as well Winter as Summer and therefore fittest to be planted among other of the same nature to make an euer greene hedge The Vse of Clusius his Celastrus Being so great a stranger in this part of the Christian world I know none hath made tryall of what property it is but that the taste of the leaues is somewhat bitter 10. Pyracantha The euer greene Hawthorne or prickly Corall tree THis euer greene shrubbe is so fine an ornament to a Garden or Orchard either to be noursed vp into a small tree by it selfe by pruining and taking away the suckers and vnder branches or by suffering it to grow
them of the bots and other diseases 14. Paliurus Christs thorne THis thorny shrubbe wherewith as it is thought our Sauiour Christ was crowned because as those that haue trauelled through Palestina and Iudaea doe report no other thorne doth grow therein so frequent or so apt to be writhed riseth in some places to a reasonable height but in our country seldome exceedeth the height of a man bearing many slender branches full of leaues set on either side thereof one by one which are somewhat broad and round yet pointed and full of veines thicke set also with small thornes euen at the foote of euery branch and at the foote of euery leafe one or two some standing vpright others a little bending downe the flowers are small and yellow standing for the most part at the end of the branches many growing vpon a long stalke which after turne into round flat and hard shelly fruit yet couered with a soft fleshy skinne within which are included two or three hard small and browne flat seeds lying in seuerall partitions The leaues hereof fall away euery yeare and spring forth a fresh againe the next May following The rarity and beauty of this shrubbe but chiefly as I thinke the name hath caused this to be much accounted of with all louers of plants The Vse of Christs thorne Wee haue so few of these shrubbes growing in our country and those that are doe for any thing I can vnderstand neuer beare fruit with vs that there is no other vse made hereof then to delight the owners but this is certainly receiued for the Paliurus of Dioscorides and Theophrastus and thought also by Matthiolus to be the very true Rhamnus tertius of Dioscorides Matthiolus also seemeth to contradict the opinion is held by the Physitians of Mompelier and others that it cannot be the Paliurus of Theophrastus It is held to be effectuall to helpe to breake the stone both in the bladder reines and kidneyes the leaues and young branches haue an astringent quality and good against poysons and the bitings of serpents 15. Larix The Larch tree THe Larch tree where it naturally groweth riseth vp to be as tall as the Pine or Firre tree but in our Land being rare and noursed vp but with a few and those onely louers of rarities it groweth both slowly and becommeth not high the barke hereof is very rugged and thicke the boughes and branches grow one aboue another in a very comely order hauing diuers small yellowish knobs or bunches set thereon at seuerall distances from whence doe yearely shoote forth many small long and narrow smooth leaues together both shorter and smaller and not so hard or sharpe pointed as either the Pine or Firre tree leaues which doe not abide the Winter as they doe but fall away euery yeare as other trees which shed their leaues and gaine fresh euery Spring the blossomes are very beautifull and delectable being of an excellent fine crimson colour which standing among the greene leaues allure the eyes of the beholders to regard it with the more desire it also beareth in the naturall places but not in our Land that I could heare small soft cones or fruit somewhat like vnto Cypresse nuts when they are greene and close The Vse of the Larch tree The coles of the wood hereof because it is so hard and durable as none more is held to be of most force being fired to cause the Iron oare to melt which none other would doe so well Matthiolus contesteth against Fuchsius for deeming the Venice Turpentine to be the liquid Rossen of the Firre tree which he assureth vpon his owne experience and certaine knowledge to be drawne from this Larch tree and none other which cleere Turpintine is altogether vsed inwardly and no other except that of the true Turpintine tree and is very effectuall to cleanse the reines kidneyes and bladder both of grauell and the stone and to prouoke vrine it is also of especiall property for the gonorrhaea or running of the reines as it is called with some powder of white Amber mixed therewith taken for certaine dayes together Taken also in an Electuary it is singular good for to expectorate rotten flegme and to helpe the consumption of the lungs It is vsed in plaisters and salues as the best sort of Turpintine The Agaricke that is vsed in physicke is taken from the bodies and armes of this tree And Matthiolus doth much insist against Brasauolus that thought other trees had produced Agaricke affirming them to be hard Fungi or Mushroms such as wee call Touch-wood wherwith many vse to take fire strooke thereinto from steele 16. Tilia The Line or Linden tree THere are two sorts of Line trees the male and the female but because the male is rare to be seene and the female is more familiar I will onely giue you the description of the female and leaue the other The female Line tree groweth exceeding high and great like vnto an Elme with many large spreading boughes couered with a smooth barke the innermost being very plyant and bending from whence come smaller branches all of them so plyable that they may bee led or carried into any forme you please the leaues thereon are very faire broad and round somewhat like vnto Elme leaues but fairer smoother and of a fresher greene colour dented finely about the edges and ending in a sharpe point the flowers are white and of a good smell many standing together at the top of a stalke which runneth all along the middle ribbe of a small long whitish leafe after which come small round berries wherein is contained small blackish seede this tree is wholly neglected by those that haue them or dwell neere them because they suppose it to be fruitlesse in regard it beareth chaffie huskes which in many places fall away without giuing ripe seede 1 Tilia faemina The Line or Linden tree 2 Tamariscus The Tamariske tree 3 Acer maius latifolium The Sycomore tree 4 â—aâ—hylodendron The bladder nut 5 Rhus Myrtifolia The Mirtle leafed-Sumach 6 Rhus Virginiana The Bucks horne tree 7 Vitis seu Potius Hedera Virginensis The Virginia Vine or rather Iuie The Vse of the Line tree It is planted both to make goodly Arbours and Summer banquetting houses either belowe vpon the ground the boughes seruing very handsomely to plash round about it or vp higher for a second aboue it and a third also for the more it is depressed the better it will grow And I haue seene at Cobham in Kent a tall or great bodied Line tree bare without boughes for eight foote high and then the branches were spread round about so orderly as if it were done by art and brought to compasse that middle Arbour And from those boughes the body was bare againe for eight or nine foote wherein might bee placed halfe an hundred men at the least as there might be likewise in that vnderneath this then another rowe of branches to encompasse a third Arbour with stayres
in our Gardens among other delightfull plaats to please the senses of sight and smelling The Time It flowreth in the end of May or beginning of Iune and beareth seede which ripeneth not with vs vntill it be late The Names It is called Spartium Graecorum and Spartum frutex to distinguish it from the sedge or rush that is so called also Of some it is called Genista and thought not to differ from the other Genista but they are much deceiued for euen in Spaine and Italie the ordinary Ganista or Broome groweth with it which is not pliant and fit to binde Vines or such like things withall as this is The Vertues There is little vse hereof in Physicke by reason of the dangerous qualitie of vomiting which it doth procure to them that take it inwardly but being applyed outwardly it is found to helpe the Sciatica or paine of the hippes 1 Coâ—utaea vulgaris Ordinary bastard Sene. 2 Periploca recta Virginiana Virginian Silke 3 Colutaeâ— Scorpicides Scorpion bastard Sene. 4 Spartum Hispanicum Spanish Broome 5 Ligustrum Priuet 6 Saluia variegata Party coloured Sage 7 Maiorana auroa Gâ—â—ded Matierome CHAP. CXXIIII Periploca recta Virginiana Virginian Silke LEst this stranger should finde no hospitality with vs being so beautifull a plant or not finde place in this Garden let him be here receiued although with the last rather then not at all It riseth vp with one or more strong and round stalkes three or foure foote high whereon are set at the seuerall ioynts thereof two faire long and broad leaues round pointed with many veines therein growing close to the stemme without any foote-stalke at the tops of the stalkes and sometimes at the ioynts of the leaues groweth forth a great bush of flowers out of a thinne skinne to the number of twenty and sometimes thirty or forty euery one with a long foote-stalke hanging downe their heads for the most part especially those that are outermost euery one standing within a small huske of greene leaues turned to the stalkeward like vnto the Lysimachia flower of Virginia before described and each of them consisting of fiue small leaues a peece of a pale purplish colour on the vpperside and of a pale yellowish purple vnderneath both sides of each leafe being as it were folded together making them seeme hollow and pointed with a few short chiues in the middle after which come long and crooked pointed cods standing vpright wherein are contained flat brownish seede dispersedly lying within a great deale of fine soft and whitish browne silke very like vnto the cods seede and silke of Asclepias or Swallow-wort but that the cods are greater and more crooked and harder also in the outer shell the roote is long and white of the bignesse of a mans thumbe running vnder ground very far and shooting vp in diuers places the heads being set full of small white grumes or knots yeelding forth many branches if it stand any time in a place the whole plant as well leaues as stalkes being broken yeeld a pale milke The Place It came to me from Virginia where it groweth aboundantly being raised vp from the seede I receiued The Time It flowreth in Iuly and the seede is ripe in August The Names It may seeme very probable to many that this plant is the same that Prosper Alpinus in the twenty fift Chapter of his Booke of Egyptian plants nameth Beidelsar and Honorius Bellus in his third and fourth Epistles vnto Clusius which are at the end of his History of plants calleth Ossar frutex And Clusius himselfe in the same Booke calleth Apocynum Syriacum Palastinum and Aegyptiacum because this agreeth with theirs in very many and notable parts yet verily I thinke this plant is not the same but rather another kinde of it selfe First because it is not frutex a shrub or wooddy plant nor keepeth his leaues all the yeare but loseth both leaues and stalks dying down to the ground euery yeare Secondly the milke is not causticke or violent as Alpinus and Bellus say Ossar is Thirdly the cods are more crooked then those of Clusius or of Alpinus which Honorius Bellus acknowledgeth to be right although greater then those he had out of Egypt And lastly the rootes of these doe runne whereof none of them make any mention Gerard in his Herball giueth a rude figure of the plant but a very true figure of the cods with seede and saith the Virginians call it Wisanck and referreth it to the Asclepias for the likenesse of the cods stuffed with silken doune But what reason Caspar Bauhinus in his Pinax Theatri Botanici had to call it for it is Clusius his Apocynum Syriacum by the name of Lapathum Aegyptiacum lactescens siliqua Asclepiadis I know none in the world for but that he would shew an extreame singularity in giuing names to plants contrary to all others which is very frequent with him how could he thinke that this plant could haue any likenesse or correspondencie with any of the kindes of Dockes that euer he had seene read or heard of in face or shew of leaues flowers or seede but especially in giuing milke I haue you see and that not without iust and euident cause giuen it a differing Latine name from Gerard because the Asclepias giueth no milke but the Periploca or Apocymum doth and therefore fitter to be referred to this then to that And because it should not want an English name answerable to some peculiar property thereof I haue from the silken doune called it Virginian Silke but I know there is another plant growing in Virginia called Silke Grasse which is much differing from this The Vertues I know not of any in our Land hath made any tryall of the properties hereof Captaine Iohn Smith in his booke of the discouery and description of Virginia saith that the Virginians vse the rootes hereof if his be the same with this being bruised and applyed to cure their hurts diseases CHAP. CXXV Ligustrum Primme or Priuet BEcause the vse of this plant is so much and so frequent throughout all this Land although for no other purpose but to make hedges or arbours in Gardens c. whereunto it is so apt that no other can be like vnto it to bee cut lead and drawne into what forme one will either of beasts birds or men armed or otherwise I could not forget it although it be so well knowne vnto all to be an hedge bush growing from a wooddy white roote spreading much within the ground and bearing manie long tough and plyant sprigs and branches whereon are set long narrow and pointed sad greene leaues by couples at euery ioynt at the tops whereof breake forth great tufts of sweete smelling white flowers which when they are fallen turne into small blacke berries hauing a purple iuyce within them and small seede flat on the one side with an hole or dent therein this is seene in those branches that are not cut but suffered to beare out