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 astivus 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: this 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 effectual 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 digestion 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, compassed 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
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 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 the 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.
[Illustration:
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 _Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius subuirescente
flore._ The bulbed Asphodill, or greene starre-flower.
6 _Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus._ The little starre-flower of
Spaine.
7 _Ornithogalum luteum._ The yellow starre-flower of Bethlehem.
8 _Ornithogalum Neapolitanum._ The starre-flower of Naples.
]
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.
The first is called by Clusius _Ornithogalum maximum album_,
because it is greater then the next, which hee tooke formerly
for the greatest: but it might more fitly, in my iudgement, bee
called _Asphodelus bulbosus albus_ (if there be any _Asphodelus
bulbosus_ at all) because this do so nearly resemble that, both
in the early springing, and the decay of the greene leaues,
when the stalkes of flowers doe rise vp. Diuers also doe call
it _Ornithogalum Pannonicum maximum album_.
The second hath his name in his title, as most authors doe set
it downe, yet in the great Herball referred to Dalechampius, it
is called _Ornithogalum magnum Myconi_.
The third hath his name from the place of his birth, and the
other from his popularity, yet Dodonæus calleth it _Bulbus
Leucanthemos_.
The last is called by diuers _Asphodelo-hyacinthinus_, and
_Hyacintho-asphodelus Galeni_. Dodonæus calleth it _Asphodelus
fæmina_, and _Asphodelus bulbosus_. But Lobel, and Gerrard
from him, and Dodonæus, doe make this to haue white flowers,
whereas all that I haue seene, both in mine owne, and in
others Gardens, bore greenish flowers, as Clusius setteth it
truely downe. Lobel seemeth in the description of this, to
confound the _Ornithogalum_ of Mompelier with it, and calleth
it _Asphodelus hyacinthinus forte Galeni_, and saith that
some would call it _Pancratium Monspeliense_, and _Asphodelus
Galeni_. But as I haue shewed, the _Ornithogalum spicatum_ and
this, doe plainly differ the one from the other, and are not
both to be called by one name, nor to be reckoned one, but two
distinct plants.
_Ornithogalum Æthiopicum._ The Starre-flower of Æthiopia.
The leaues of this plant are a foote long, and at the least an inch
broad, which being broken, are no lesse woolly then the woolly Iacinth:
the stalke is a cubit high, strong and greene; from the middle whereof
vnto the toppe, stand large snow white flowers, vpon long, greene,
thicke foot-stalkes, and yellowish at the bottome of the flower; in
the middle whereof stand six white threeds, tipt with yellow chiues,
compassing the head, which is three square, and long containing the
seede: the roote is thicke and round, somewhat like the _Asphodelus
Galeni_.
The Place.
This plant was gathered by some Hollanders, on the West side of
the Cape of good Hope.
The Time.
It flowred about the end of August with those that had it.
The Names.
Because it came from that part of the continent beyond the
line, which is reckoned a part of Æthiopia, it is thereupon so
called as it is set downe.
_Ornithogalum Neapolitanum._ The Starre-flower of Naples.
This beautifull plant riseth out of the ground very early, with foure
or fiue hollow pointed leaues, standing round together, of a whitish
greene colour, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe on the
inside, somewhat narrow, but long, (Fabius Columna saith, three foot
long in Italy, but it is not so with vs) in the middle of these leaues
riseth vp the stalke, a foote and a halfe high, bearing diuers flowers
at the toppe, euery one standing in a little cuppe or huske, which is
diuided into three or foure parts, hanging downe very long about the
heads for seede: after the flower is past, these flowers doe all hang
downe their heads, and open one way, although their little foot-stalkes
come forth on all sides of the greater stalke, being large, and
composed of six long leaues, of a pure white on the inside, and of a
blewish or whitish greene colour on the outside, leauing the edges of
euery leafe white on both sides: in the middle of these flowers stand
other small flowers, each of them also made of six small white leaues
a peece, which meeting together, seeme to make the shew of a cuppe,
within which are contained six white threeds, tipt with yellow, and a
long white pointell in the middle of them, being without any sent at
all: after the flowers are past, come vp great round heads, which are
too heauie for the stalke to beare; and therefore lye downe vpon the
leaues or ground, hauing certaine lines or stripes on the outside,
wherein is contained round, blacke, rough seede: the roote is great and
white, and somewhat flat at the bottome, as diuers of these kindes are,
and doe multiply as plentifully into small bulbes as the common or any
other.
The Place.
This Starre-flower groweth in the Medowes in diuers places
of Naples, as Fabius Columna, and Ferrantes Imperatus doe
testifie, from whence they haue been sent. And Matthiolus, who
setteth out the figure thereof among his Daffodills, had (it
should seeme) seene it grow with him.
The Time.
It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the
ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the
seede is ripe in Iuly.
The Names.
Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils,
for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted
the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill,
which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the
fourth place, whereupon many doe call it _Narcissus quartus
Matthioli_, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna
calleth it _Hyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore_. Clusius
(to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee
desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,
_Ornithogalum Neapolitanum_, and we thereafter call it in
English, The Starre-flower of Naples.
_Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus._ The little Starre-flower of Spaine.
Clusius hath set forth this plant among his _Ornithogala_ or
Starre-flowers, and although it doth in my minde come nearer to a
_Hyacinthus_, then to _Ornithogalum_, yet pardon it, and let it passe
as he doth. From a little round whitish roote, springeth vp in the
beginning of the yeare, fiue or six small long green leaues, without
any white line in the middle of them, among which rise vp one or two
small stalkes, an hand length high or better, bearing seuen or eight,
or more flowers, growing as it were in a tuft or vmbell, with small
long leaues at the foote of euery stalke, the lower flowers being
equall in length with the vppermost, of a pale whitish blew or ash
colour, with a strake or line downe the backe of euery leafe of them,
with some white threeds standing about a blewish head in the middle:
these flowers passe away quickly, and giue no seed, so that it is not
knowne what seede it beareth.
The Place.
This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.
The Time.
It flowreth in May.
The Names.
It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but
lately found out.
1. _Ornithogalum album vnifolium._
The white starre-flower with one blade.
This little starre-flower I bring into this place, as the fittest in
my opinion where to place it, vntill my minde change to alter it. It
hath a very small round white roote, from whence springeth vp one very
long and round greene leafe, like vnto a rush, but that for about
two or three inches aboue the ground, it is a little flat, and from
thence springeth forth a small stalke not aboue three or foure inches
high, bearing at the top thereof three or foure small white flowers,
consisting of six leaues a peece, within which are six white chiues,
tipt with yellow pendents, standing about a small three square head,
that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middle 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 Chestnut, 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 guttered 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 whitish 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 Caucason._ 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 ground, & smelling strong.
2. _Moly montanum Pannonicum bulbiferum secundum._
The second bulbed Moly of Hungary.
The second Moly hath narrower greene leaues then the former: the stalke
is about the same height, and beareth at the toppe a great cluster of
small greene bulbes, which after turne of a darker colour; from among
which come forth long foot-stalks, whereon stand purplish flowers: the
roote is couered with a blackish purple coate or skinne.
3. _Moly Serpentinum._ Serpents Moly.
This Moly must also be ioyned vnto the bulbous Molyes, as of kindred
with them, yet of greater beauty and delight, because the bulbes on the
heads of the small stalkes are redder, and more pleasant to behold: the
stalke is lower, and his grassie winding leaues, which turne themselues
(whereof it tooke the name) are smaller, and of a whiter greene colour:
it beareth among the bulbes purplish flowers also, but more beautifull,
the sent whereof is nothing so strong: the roote is small, round, and
whitish, encreasing into a number of small rootes, no bigger then pease
round about the greater roote.
4. _Moly caule & folijs triangularibus._ The three cornered Moly.
This three square Moly hath foure or fiue long, and somewhat broad
pale greene leaues, flat on the vpper side, and with a ridge downe the
backe of the leafe, which maketh it seeme three square: the stalke
which riseth vp a foote and a halfe high or better, is three square or
three cornered also, bearing at the toppe out of a skinnie huske diuers
white flowers, somewhat large and long, almost bell-fashion, with
stripes of greene downe the middle of euery leafe, and a few chiues
tipt with yellow in the middle about the head, wherein when it is ripe,
is inclosed small blacke seede: the roote is white on the outside, and
very like the yellow Moly; both roote, leafe, and flower hath a smacke,
but not very strong of Garlicke.
[Illustration:
1 _Moly Homericum vel potius Theophrasti._ The greatest Moly of
Homer.
2 _Moly Indicum siue Caucason._ The Indian Moly.
3 _Moly Pannonicum bulbiferum._ The bulbed Moly of Hungary.
4 _Moly Serpentinum._ Serpents Moly.
5 _Moly purpureum Neapolitanum._ The purplish Moly of Naples.
6 _Moly caule & folijs triangularibus._ The three cornered Moly.
7 _Moly latifolium flore luteo._ The yellow Moly.
8 _Moly Dioscorideum Hispanicum._ The Spanish Moly of Dioscorides.
9 _Moly Zibettinum vel Moschatinum._ The sweete smelling Moly of
Mompelier.
10 _Moly serotinum Coniferum._ The late Pine apple Moly.
]
5. _Moly Narcissinis folijs._ Daffodill leafed Moly.
This Moly hath many long, narrow, and flat greene leaues, very like
vnto the leaues of a Daffodill, from whence it tooke his name (or
rather of the early greater _Leucoium_ _bulbosum_, or bulbed Violet
before described, ioyned next vnto the Daffodils, because it is so like
them) among which riseth vp two or three stalkes sometimes, each of a
foot and a halfe high, bearing at the toppe, inclosed in a skinny hose,
as all the Molyes haue, a number of small purplish flowers, which doe
not long abide, but quickly fade: the seede is blacke as others are;
the roote is sometimes knobbed, and more often bulbed, hauing in the
knobs some markes of the old stalkes to be seene in them, and smelleth
somewhat like Garlicke, whereby it may be knowne.
6. _Moly montanum latifolium luteo flore._ The yellow Moly.
The yellow Moly hath but one long and broad leafe when it doth not
beare flower, but when it will beare flower, it hath two long and
broad leaues, yet one alwaies longer and broader then the other, which
are both of the same colour, and neare the bignesse of a reasonable
Tulipa leafe: betweene these leaues groweth a slender stalke, bearing
at the toppe a tuft or vmbell of yellow flowers out of a skinnie hose,
which parteth three wayes, made of six leaues a peece, laid open like
a Starre, with a greenish backe or outside, and with some yellow
threeds in the middle: the seede is blacke, like vnto others: the roote
is whitish, two for the most part ioyned together, which encreaseth
quickly, and smelleth very strong of Garlicke, as both flowers and
leaues doe also.
7. _Moly Pyrenæum purpureum._ The purple mountaine Moly.
This purple Moly hath two or three leaues, somewhat like the former
yellow Moly, but not so broad, nor so white: the stalke hath not so
many flowers thereon, but more sparingly, and of an vnpleasant purple
colour: the roote is whitish, smelling somewhat strongly of Garlicke,
but quickly perisheth with the extremity of our cold Winters, which it
will not abide vnlesse it be defended.
8. _Moly montanum latifolium purpureum Hispanicum._
The purple Spanish Moly.
This Moly hath two broad and very long greene leaues, like vnto the
yellow Moly, in this, that they doe compasse one another at the bottome
of them, between which riseth vp a strong round stalke, two foote high
or more, bearing at the toppe, out of a thinne huske, a number of faire
large flowers vpon long foot-stalkes, consisting of six leaues a peece,
spread open like a Starre, of a fine delayed purple or blush colour,
with diuers threeds of the same colour, tipt with yellow, standing
about the middle head: betweene the stalke and the bottome of the
leaues it hath some small bulbes growing, which being planted, will
soone spring and encrease: the roote also being small and round, with
many fibres thereat, hath many small bulbes shooting from them; but
neither roote, leafe, nor flower, hath any ill sent of Garlicke at all.
9. _Moly purpureum Neapolitanum._ The purple Moly of Naples.
The Neapolitane Moly hath three of foure small long greene leaues set
vpon the stalke after it is risen vp, which beareth a round head of
very fine purple flowers, made of six leaues a peece, but so closing
together at the edge, that they seeme like vnto small cuppes, neuer
laying themselues open, as the other doe; this hath some sent of his
originall, but the roote more then any part else, which is white and
round, quickly encreasing as most of the Molyes doe.
10. _Moly pyxidatum argenteum Hispanicum._
The Spanish siluer cupped Moly.
This Spanish Moly hath two or three very long rush like leaues, which
rise vp with the stalke, or rather vanish away when the stalke is risen
vp to bee three foote high or more, bearing a great head of flowers,
standing close at the first, but afterwards spreading much one from
another, euery flower vpon a long foote-stalke, being of a white
siluer colour, with stripes or lines on euery side, and fashioned small
and hollow, like a cuppe or boxe: the seede I could neuer obserue,
because it flowreth so late, that the Winter hindereth it from bearing
seede with vs: the roote is small and round, white, and in a manner
transparent, at least so shining, as if it were so, and encreaseth
nothing so much, as many of the other sorts: this hath no ill sent at
all, but rather a pretty smell, not to bee misliked.
11. _Moly serotinum Coniferum._ The late Pineapple Moly.
This late Moly that was sent me 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 Autume, 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 anothor 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
titles, 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 selfe 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 Asphodill.
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 Asphodill.
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,
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 bluish 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 Ανθερίκη, 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 phœniceus._ 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. _Liliasphodelus 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.
[Illustration:
1 _Asphodelus maior albus ramosus._ The great white branched
Asphodill.
2 _Asphodelus minor albus seu fistulosus._ 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 phœniceus._ The gold red Day Lilly.
]
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_. 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 haue formerly beene had in great
account, but now are vtterly neglected; yet by reason of their
sharpnesse 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 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 high as the next, whereof this is a
larger kinde, hauing a long vnbranched stalke of white flowers, 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 seede, 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.
[Illustration:
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
Dodonæus, _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 effectual, 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; other-where 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 the Spring, but
the most in Autumne, and some bearing double, but the greatest part
single flowers: whereof euery one in their order, and first of our owne
Country kindes.
1. _Colchicum Anglicum album._ The white English Medowe Saffron.
It is common to all the Medowe Saffrons, except that of the Spring, and
one other, to beare their flowers alone in Autumne or later, without
any green leaues with them, and afterwards in February, their greene
leaues: So that I shall not neede to make manie descriptions, but
to shew you the differences that consist in the leaues, and colours
of the flowers; and briefly to passe (after I haue giuen you a full
description of the first) from one vnto another, touching onely those
things that are note worthy. The white English Medowe Saffron then doth
beare in Autumne three or foure flowers at the most, standing seuerally
vpon weake foote-stalkes, a fingers length or more aboue the ground,
made of six white leaues, somewhat long and narrow, and not so large as
most of the other kindes, with some threeds or chiues in the middle,
like vnto the Saffron flowers of the Spring, wherein there is no colour
of Saffron, or vertue to that effect: after the flowers are past and
gone, the leaues doe not presently follow, but the roote remaineth in
the ground without shew of leafe aboue ground, most part of the Winter,
and then in February there spring vp three or foure large and long
greene leaues, when they are fully growne vp, standing on the toppe of
a round, weake, green, and short foote-stalke, somewhat like the leaues
of white Lillies, but not so large, and in the middest of these leaues,
after they haue been vp some time, appeare two or three loose skinny
heads, standing in the middle of the leaues vpon short, thicke, greene
stalkes, and being ripe, conteine in them round small brownish seede,
that lye as it were loose therein, and when the head is dry, may bee
heard to rattle being shaken: the roote is white within, but couered
with a thicke blackish skinne or coate, hauing one side thereof at the
bottome longer then the other, with an hollownesse also on the one
side of that long eminence, where the flowers rise from the bottome,
and shooting downe from thence a number of white fibres, whereby it is
fastened in the ground: the greene leaues afterwards rising from the
top or head of the roote.
2. _Colchicum Anglicum purpureum._ The purple English Medowe Saffron.
There is no difference at all in this Medowe Saffron from the former,
but only in the colour of the flowers, which as they were wholly white
in the former, so in this they are of a delayed purple colour, with a
small shew of veines therein.
3. _Colchicum Pannonicum album._ The white Hungary Medowe Saffron.
The greatest difference in this _Colchicum_ from the former English
white one, is, that it is larger both in roote, leafe, and flower, and
besides, hath more store of flowers together, and continuing longer in
beauty, without fading so soone as the former, and are also somewhat of
a fairer white colour.
4. _Colchicum Pannonicum purpureum._
The purple Hungary Medowe Saffron.
This purple Medowe Saffron is somewhat like vnto the white of this
kinde, but that it beareth not so plentifully as the white, nor doth
the roote grow so great; but the flowers are in a manner as large as
they, and of the like pale delayed purple colour, or somewhat deeper,
as is in the purple English, with some veines or markes vpon the
flowers, making some shew of a checker on the out side, but not so
conspicuous, as in the true checkerd kindes. Wee haue a kinde hereof is
party coloured with white streakes and edges, which abide constant, and
hath been raised from the seede of the former.
5. _Colchicum Byzantinum._ Medowe Saffron of Constantinople.
This Medowe Saffron of Constantinople hath his leaues so broad and
large, that hardly could any that neuer saw it before, iudge it to be
a _Colchicum_; for they are much larger then any Lilly leaues, and of
a darke greene colour: the flowers are correspondent to the leaues,
larger and more in number then in any of the former purple kindes, of
the same colour with the last purple kinde, but of a little deeper
purple on the inside, with diuers markes running through the flowers,
like vnto it, or vnto checkers, but yet somewhat more apparently: the
roote is in the middle greater and rounder then the others, with a
longer eminence, whereby it may easily bee knowne from all other sorts.
6. _Colchicum Lusitanicum Fritillaricum._
The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Portugall.
The flowers of this Medowe Saffron are larger and longer then the
flowers of either the English or Hungarian, and almost as large as the
last before mentioned, and of the same colour, but a little deeper, the
spots and markes whereof are somewhat more easie to be seene euen a
farre off, like vnto the flower of a Fritillaria, from whence it tooke
his significatiue name: the leaues of this Medowe Saffron doe rise vp
sooner then in any other of the Autumne kindes, for they are alwayes vp
before Winter, and are foure or fiue in number, short rather then long,
broad belowe, and pointed at the end, canaled or hollow, and standing
round aboue the ground, one encompassing another at the bottome, like
the great Spanish Starre Iacinth, called the Iacinth of Peru, but
shorter, and of a pale or grayish greene colour, differing from the
colour of all the other Medowe Saffrons: the roote is like the roote of
the English or Hungarian without any difference, but that it groweth
somewhat greater. It is one of the first Medowe Saffrons that flower in
the Autumne.
[Illustration:
1 _Colchicum Pannonicum._ The Hungarian Medow Saffron.
2 _Colchicum Byzantinum._ Medowe Saffron of Constantinople.
3 _Colchicum Lusitanicum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe Saffron
of Portugall.
4 _Colchicum Neapolitanum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe
Saffron of Naples.
5 _Colchicum Fritillaricum Chiense._ The Checkerd Medowe Saffron of
Chio or Sio.
6 _Colchicum Hermodactylum._ Physicall Medowe Saffron.
]
7. _Colchicum Neapolitanum Fritillaricum._
The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Naples.
This checkerd Medowe Saffron of Naples, is very like vnto the last
recited checkerd Saffron of Portugall, but that the flower is somewhat
larger, yet sometimes very little, or not at all: the greatest marke to
distinguish them is, that the flowers of this are of a deeper colour,
and so are the spots on the flowers likewise, which are so conspicuous,
that they are discerned a great way off, more like vnto the flowers of
a deepe Fritillaria, then the former, and make a goodlier and a more
glorious shew: the leaues of this doe rise vp early after the flowers,
and are somewhat longer, of a darker greene colour, yet bending to a
grayish colour as the other, not lying so neatly or round, but stand
vp one by another, being as it were folded together: neither of both
these last named checkerd Medowe Saffrons haue giuen any seede in this
Countrey, that euer I could learne or heare of, but are encreased by
the roote, which in this is like the former, but a little bigger.
8. _Colchicum Fritillaricum Chiense._
The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Chio or Sio.
This most beautifull Saffron flower riseth vp with his flowers in the
Autumne, as the others before specified doe, although not of so large
a size, yet farre more pleasant and delightfull in the thicke, deepe
blew, or purple coloured beautifull spots therein, which make it excell
all others whatsoeuer: the leaues rise vp in the Spring, being smaller
then the former, for the most part three in number, and of a paler
or fresher greene colour, lying close vpon the ground, broad at the
bottome, a little pointed at the end, and twining or folding themselues
in and out at the edges, as if they were indented. I haue not seene any
seede it hath borne: the roote is like vnto the others of this kinde,
but small and long, and not so great: it flowreth later for the most
part then any of the other, euen not vntill Nouember, and is very hard
to be preserued with vs, in that for the most part the roote waxeth
lesse and lesse euery yeare, our cold Country being so contrary vnto
his naturall, that it will scarce shew his flower; yet when it flowreth
any thing early, that it may haue any comfort of a warme Sunne, it is
the glorie of all these kindes.
9. _Colchicum versicolor._ The party coloured Medowe Saffron.
The flowers of this Medowe Saffron most vsually doe not appeare, vntill
most of the other Autumne sorts are past, except the last, which are
very lowe, scarce rising with their stalkes three fingers breadth
aboue the ground, but oftentimes halfe hid within the ground: the
leaues whereof are smaller, shorter, and rounder, then in any of the
other before specified, some being altogether white, and others wholly
of a very pale purple, or flesh colour; and some againe parted, the
one halfe of a leafe white, and the other halfe of the same purple,
and sometimes striped purple and white, in diuers leaues of one and
the same flower: and againe, some will be the most part of the leafe
white, and the bottome purple, thus varying as nature list, that
many times from one roote may bee seene to arise all these varieties
before mentioned: these flowers doe stand long before they fade and
passe away; for I haue obserued in my Garden some that haue kept their
flower faire vntill the beginning of Ianuary, vntill the extremitie
of the Winter frosts and snowes haue made them hide their heads: the
leaues therefore accordingly doe rise vp after all other, and are of
a brownish or darke greene colour at their first springing vp, which
after grow to be of a deepe greene colour: the roote is like the former
English or Hungarian kindes, but thicker and greater for the most part,
and shorter also.
10. _Colchicum variegatum alterum._
Another party coloured Medowe Saffron.
There is another, whose party coloured flowers rise a little higher,
diuersly striped and marked, with a deeper purple colour, and a pale or
whitish blush throughout all the leaues of the flower.
11. _Colchicum montanum Hispanicum minus._
The little Spanish Medowe Saffron.
The flowers of this little Medowe Saffron are narrower and smaller then
any of the former, and of a deeper reddish purple colour then either
the English or Hungarian kindes: the greene leaues also are smaller
then any other, lying on the ground, of a deepe or sad greene colour,
rising vp within a while after the flowers are past, and doe abide
greene all the Winter long: the roote is small and long, according to
the rest of the plant, and like in forme to the others.
12. _Colchicum montanum minus versicolore flore._
The small party coloured Medowe Saffron.
This little kinde differeth not from the Spanish kinde last set forth,
but in the varietie of the flower, which is as small as the former; the
three inner leaues being almost all white, and the three outer leaues
some of them pale or blush, and some party coloured, with a little
greene on the backe of some of them.
13. _Colchicum Hermodactilum._ Physicall Medowe Saffron.
This Physicall Medowe Saffron springeth vp with his leaues in Autumne,
before his flowers appeare beyond the nature of all the former kindes,
yet the flower doth, after they are vp, shew it selfe in the middle of
the greene leaues, consisting of six white leaues, with diuers chiues
in the middle, and passeth away without giuing any seede that euer
I could obserue: the greene leaues abide all the Winter and Spring
following, decaying about May, and appeare not vntill September, when
(as I said) the flowers shew themselues presently after the leaues are
sprung vp.
14. _Colchicum atropurpureum._ The darke purple Medowe Saffron.
The greatest difference in this kinde consisteth in the flower, which
at the first appearing is as pale a purple, as the flower of the former
Hungarian kinde: but after it hath stood in flower two or three dayes,
it beginneth to change, and will after a while become to bee of a very
deepe reddish purple colour, as also the little foote-stalke whereon it
doth stand: the flower is of the bignesse of the Hungarian purple, and
so is the greene leafe: the seede and roote is like the English purple
kinde.
15. _Colchicum atropurpureum variegatum._
The party coloured darke purple Medowe Saffron.
We haue of late gained another sort of this kinde, differing chiefly
in the flower, which is diuersly striped thorough euery leafe of the
flower, with a paler purple colour, whereby the flower is of great
beauty: this might seeme to bee a degeneration from the former, yet
it hath abiden constant with me diuers yeares, and giueth seede as
plentifully as the former.
16. _Colchicum flore pleno._ Double flowred Medowe Saffron.
The double Medowe Saffron is in roote and leafe very like unto the
English kinde: the flowers are of a fine pale or delayed purple colour,
consisting of many leaues set thicke together, which are somewhat
smaller, as in the English flower, being narrow and long, and as it
were round at the points, which make a very double flower, hauing some
chiues with their yellow tips, dispersed as it were among the leaues in
the middle: it flowreth in September, a little after the first shew of
the earlier Medowe Saffrons are past.
17. _Colchicum variegatum pleno flore._
The party coloured double Medowe Saffron.
We haue another of these double kinds (if it be not the very same with
the former, varying in the flower as nature pleaseth oftentimes; for
I haue this flower in my garden, as I here set it forth, euery yeare)
whose flowers are diuersified in the partition of the colours, as is to
be seene in the single party coloured Medowe Saffron before described,
hauing some leaues white, and others pale purple, and some leaues halfe
white and halfe purple, diuersly set or placed in the double flower,
which doth consist of as many leaues as the former, yet sometime this
party coloured flower doth not shew it selfe double like the former,
but hath two flowers, one rising out of another, making each of them
to be almost but single flowers, consisting of eight or ten leaues a
peece: but this diuersity is not constant; for the same roote that this
yeare appeareth in that manner, the next yeare will returne to his
former kinde of double flowers againe.
18. _Colchicum Vernum._ Medowe Saffron of the Spring.
This Medowe Saffron riseth vp very early in the yeare, that is, in the
end of Ianuarie sometimes, or beginning, or at the furthest the middle
of February, presently after the deepe Frosts and Snowes are past,
with his flowers inclosed within three greene leaues, which opening
themselues as soone almost as they are out of the ground, shew their
buds for flowers within them very white oftentimes, before they open
farre, and sometimes also purplish at their first appearing, which
neuer shew aboue two at the most vpon one roote, and neuer rise aboue
the leaues, nor the leaues much higher then they, while they last: the
flower consisteth of six leaues, long and narrow, euery leafe being
diuided, both at the bottome and toppe, each from other, and ioyned
together onely in the middle, hauing also six chiues, tipt with yellow
in the middle, euery chiue being ioyned to a leafe, of a pale red or
deepe blush colour, when it hath stood a while blowne, and is a smaller
flower then any Medowe Saffron, except the small Spanish kindes onely,
but continueth in his beauty a good while, if the extremity of sharpe
Frosts and Windes doe not spoile it: the leaues wherein these flowers
are enclosed, at their first comming vp, are of a brownish greene
colour, which so abide for a while, especially on the outside, but on
the inside they are hollow, and of a whitish or grayish greene colour,
which after the flowers are past, grow to bee of the length of a mans
longest finger, and narrow withall: there riseth vp likewise in the
middle of them the head or seede vessell, which is smaller and shorter,
and harder then any of the former, wherein is contained small round
browne seede: the roote is small, somewhat like vnto the rootes of the
former, but shorter, and not hauing so long an eminence on the one side
of the bottome.
19. _Colchicum vernum atropurpureum._
Purple Medowe Saffron of the Spring.
The flower of this Medowe Saffron, is in the rising vp of his leaues
and flowers together, and in all things else, like vnto the former,
onely the flowers of this sort are at their first appearing of a deeper
purple colour, and when they are blowne also are much deeper then the
former, diuided in like manner, both at the bottome and toppe as the
other, so that they seeme, like as if six loose leaues were ioyned in
the middle part, to make one flower, and hath his small chiues tipt
with yellow, cleauing in like manner to euery leafe.
[Illustration:
1 _Colchicum montanum Hispanicum._ The little Spanish Medowe
Saffron.
2 _Colchicum montanum minus versicolore flore._ The small party
coloured Medowe Saffron.
3 _Colchicum versicolor._ The party coloured Medowe Saffron.
4 _Colchicum variegatum alterum._ Another party coloured Medowe
Saffron.
5 _Colchicum atropurpureum._ The darke purple Medowe Saffron.
6 _Colchicum atropurpureum variegatum._ The variable darke purple
Medowe Saffron.
7 _Colchicum vernum._ Medowe Saffron of the spring.
8 _Colchicum flore pleno._ Double Medowe Saffron.
]
The Place.
All these Medowe Saffrons, or the most part of them, haue their
places expressed in their titles; for some grow in the fields
and medowes of the champion grounds, others on the mountaines
and hilly grounds. The English kindes grow in the West parts,
as about Bathe, Bristow, Warmister, and other places also.
The double kindes are thought to come out of Germany.
The Time.
Their times likewise are declared in their seuerall
descriptions: those that are earliest in Autumne, flower in
August and September, the later in October, and the latest in
the end of October, and in November. The other are said to bee
of the Spring, in regard they come after the deepe of Winter
(which is most vsually in December and Ianuary) is past.
The Names.
The generall name to all these plants is _Colchicum_, whereunto
some haue added _Ephemerum_, because it killeth within one
dayes space; and some _Strangulatorium_. Some haue called them
also _Bulbus Agrestis_, and _Filius ante Patrem_, The Sonne
before the Father, because (as they thinke) it giueth seede
before the flower: but that is without due consideration;
for the root of this (as of most other bulbous plants) after
the stalke of leaues and seede are dry, and past, may be
transplanted, and then it beginneth to spring and giue flowers
before leaues, (and therein onely it is differing from other
plants) but the leaues and seede follow successiuely after the
flowers, before it may be remoued againe; so that here is not
seede before flowers, but contrarily flowers vpon the first
planting or springing, and seede after, as in all other plants,
though in a diuers manner.
The _Colchicum Hermodactilum_ may seeme very likely to bee
the _Colchicum Orientale_ of Matthiolus, or the _Colchicum
Alexandrinum_ of Lobelius: And some thinke it to be the
true _Hermodactilus_, and so call it, but it is not so. We
doe generally call them all in English Medowe Saffrons, or
_Colchicum_, according to the Latine, giuing to euery one his
other adiunct to know it by.
The Vertues.
None of these are vsed for any Physicall respect, being
generally held to be deadly, or dangerous at the least. Only
the true Hermodactile (if it be of this tribe, and not this
which is here expressed) is of great vse, for paines in the
ioynts, and of the hippes, as the _Sciatica_, and the like,
to be taken inwardly. Costæus in his Booke of the nature of
plants, saith, that the rootes of our common kindes are very
bitter in the Spring of the yeare, and sweet in Autumne, which
Camerarius contradicteth, saying, that he found them bitter in
Autumne, which were (as he saith) giuen by some imposters to
diuers, as an antidote against the Plague.
CHAP. XVII.
_Crocus._ Saffron.
There are diuers sorts of Saffrons, whereof many doe flower in the
Spring time, and some in Autumne, among whom there is but one onely
kinde, that is called tame or of the Garden, which yeeldeth those
blades or chiues that are vsed in meates and medicines, and many wayes
profitable for other respects, none of the rest, which are all wilde
kindes, giuing any blade equall vnto those of the tame kinde, or for
any other vse, then in regard of their beautifull flowers of seuerall
varieties, and as they haue been carefully sought out, and preserued by
diuers, to furnish a Garden of dainty curiosity. To entreate therefore
of these, I must, to obserue an orderly declaration, diuide them into
two primary families: the former shall be of those that yeeld their
pleasant flowers in the Spring of the yeare, and the other that send
out their colours in the Autumne, among whom that _Rex pomarij_ (as
I may so call it) the tame or manured kinde, properly called of the
Garden, is to be comprehended, for that it giueth his pleasant flowers
at that time among others. I shall againe distribute those of the
Spring time into three chiefe colours, that is, into white, purple, and
yellow, and vnder euery one of them, comprehend the seuerall varieties
that doe belong vnto them; which course I will also hold with those of
the Autumne, that thus being rightly ranked, they may the more orderly
be described.
1. _Crocus Vernus albus purus minor._
The smaller pure white Saffron flower of the Spring.
This small Saffron flower springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare,
with three or foure small greene leaues, somewhat broader, but much
shorter then the true Saffron leaues, with a white line downe the
middle of euery leafe: betweene these leaues, out of a white skinne,
riseth vp one or two small flowers, made of six leaues a peece, as all
the rest in generall are, of a pure white colour, without any mixture
in it, which abide not in flower aboue a weeke, or rather lesse, so
sodainly is the pleasure of this, and the purple lost: it flowreth not
for the most part, vntill a moneth after the yellow Crocus appeareth
in flower, and the ordinary stript Crocus is past: the seede is
small, round, and reddish, yet not so red as the seede of the yellow,
contained in three square heads, yet seldome beareth, but encreaseth by
the roote plentifully enough, which is small, round, and flat at the
bottome, somewhat white on the outside, but whiter within, shooting out
small sprouts on euery side of the roote, which is the best note to
know this kinde and the lesser purple, which are both alike, from all
other rootes of Saffron flowers.
2. _Crocus albus maior multiflorus._ The great snow white Crocus.
This greater Saffron flower riseth vp vsually with three or foure
greene leaues, larger then the former, with a white line in euery one
of them: the flowers are greater, and more in number, rising together,
but flowring one after another, of a pure snow white colour, and
abiding but little longer in flower then the former.
3. _Crocus albus maior alter dictus Mæsiacus._
The great white Saffron flower or Crocus of Mesia.
This great white Crocus of Mesia, riseth vp out of the ground, almost
as early as the first sort of the yellow, with foure or fiue leaues,
being very like vnto the leaues of the yellow Crocus, and as large,
with white lines in them: the flowers also are as large as the flowers
of the yellow, and many also rising one after another like vnto it, but
not of so pure a white colour, as the former or last described, but
rather tending to a Milky or Creame colour: the roote is not couered
with any reddish, but rather pale skinnes or coates.
4. _Crocus albus Mæsiacus fundo violaceo._
The great white Crocus of Mesia with a blew bottome.
There is another of this kinde, like vnto the former in all things,
sauing that the bottomes of the flowers of this kinde, with some part
of the stalke next the flower, are of a pale shining purple colour,
and rising vp a pretty way into the flower; whereas another also of
this kind, hath a little shew or marke of blew, and not purple, at the
bottome of the flower onely, which maketh a difference.
5. _Crocus albus fundo purpureo._
The white Crocus with a purple bottome.
This Saffron flower is of the same kinde with the first, both in roote,
leafe, and flower, in none of them differing from it, but in that the
bottome of this flower, with that part of the short foote-stalke next
vnto it, is of violet or purple colour, and sometimes hauing here
and there some purple small lines, or spots on the white leaues: it
flowreth also with the first white, or somewhat later.
6. _Crocus vernus albus striatus._ The white stript Crocus.
This stript Saffron flower is likewise neare the same first kind,
or first white Crocus, hauing the like leaues and flowers, somewhat
larger, but as soone fading almost as it: but herein this flower
differeth, that it hath pale blewish lines and spots in all the leaues
thereof, and more principally in the three outer leaues: the root is
also white on the outside, like the first white, but greater, with
young ones growing round about it.
7. _Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor._
The greater party coloured white Crocus.
The greater party coloured Saffron flower, hath his greene leaues
like vnto the second great white Crocus before mentioned, hauing more
flowers then any of the former, except the first great white, the
leaues whereof haue greater stripes then the last recited Crocus, but
of a purple Violet colour, making each leafe seeme oftentimes to haue
as much purple as white in them: the roote hereof is somewhat like the
second white, but of a little more duskie colour on the outside, and
not budding out on the sides at all, or very little.
8. _Crocus vernus albus versicolor._
The lesser party coloured white Crocus.
The leaues and flowers of this other party coloured Crocus, are for
bignesse in a manner equall with the last, but hath not so many flowers
rising together from the roote: the flower is finely marked with blew
strakes on the white flower, but nothing so much as in the former: the
roote also is like the last.
9. _Crocus Episcopalis._ The Bishops Crocus.
This party coloured or Bishops Saffron flower, is very like both in
leaues and rootes vnto the Neapolitane blew Crocus, but somewhat
greater: the flowers doe abide not so long time blowne, and hath all
the leaues either wholly white, with blew stripes on both sides of
them, or wholly of a fine delayed blew Violet colour, and the three
innermost more blew and finely striped, both on the inside and outside
of them, and sometimes it hath been seen to haue three leaues white,
and three leaues of a pale blew.
10. _Crocus vernus striatus vulgaris._ The ordinary stript Crocus.
There is another sort of stript Saffron flower, which is most common
and plentifull in most Gardens, which I must needes bring vnder the
ranke of these white kinds, although it differre very notably, both
in roote, leafe, and flower, from all of them: the leaues of this
rise vp sooner then the yellow or white Crocus, lying spread vpon the
ground for the most part, but narrower then any of the former: among
these leaues spring vp diuers flowers, almost as large as the former
great white Crocus, of a very bleake or pale purple colour, tending to
white on the inside, and in many almost white, with some small whitish
chiues tipt with yellow in the middle: the three outer leaues are of
a yellowish white colour on the backe side of them, stript euery one
of them with three broad stripes, of a darke murrey or purple colour,
and a little sprinkled with some small purple lines, on both sides of
those stripes; but on the inside, of the same pale purple or white
colour with the rest: the seede hereof is somewhat darker coloured then
of the white, and is more liberall in bearing: the roote is differing
from all the former, being rounder and bigger then any of them, except
the kindes of Misia, yet somewhat flat withall, not hauing any shootes
from the sides, but setting off into rootes plentifully, hauing a round
circle compassing the bottome of the roote, which easily falleth away,
when it is taken vp out of the ground, and couered with a browne coate,
somewhat neare the colour of the yellow Crocus, but not altogether so
bright: it flowreth vsually the first of all these sorts, or with the
first of the early yellowes.
[Illustration:
1 _Crocus vernus albus minor._ The small white Saffron flower of the
spring.
2 _Crocus vernus Mæsiacus albus._ The great white Crocus of Misia.
3 _Crocus vernus albus striatus._ The white stript Crocus.
4 _Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor._ The party coloured
white Crocus.
5 _Crocus albus fundo purpureo._ The white Crocus with a purple
bottome.
6 _Crocus vernus Neapolitanus._ The great blew Crocus of Naples.
7 _Crocus vernus purpureus maximus._ The great purple Crocus.
8 _Crocus vernus purpureus striatus._ The purple stript Crocus.
9 _Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio._ The purple Crocus with
small leaues.
10 _Crocus vernus flavus striatus._ The yellow stript Crocus.
11 _Crocus vernus luteus versicolor._ The cloth of gold Crocus.
]
11. _Crocus vernus striatus Turcitus._ The Turkie stript Crocus.
There is another of this kinde, whose flower is a little larger, and
of a deeper purple colour, both on the inside and outside; the greene
leafe also is bigger, and of a more whitish colour.
12. _Crocus vernus Capillarifolio albus._
The white Crocus with small leaues.
This white Crocus is in all things like vnto the purple of the
same kinde, but that the flower of this is wholly white: the full
description therefore hereof, you shall haue in that purple with small
leaues, of this kinde hereafter set downe, whereunto I referre you.
13. _Crocus vernus purpureus minor._ The smaller purple Crocus.
The smaller purple Saffron flower of the Spring, hath his greene leaues
so like vnto the first white flowred Saffron, that they can hardly be
distinguished, onely they seem to bee a little narrower: the flower
is also much about the same bignesse, or a little bigger, and seldome
beareth aboue one flower from a roote, euen as the first doth, of a
deepe purple Violet colour, the bottome of the flower, with the vpper
part of the stalke next thereunto, being of a deeper or blacker purple;
in the middle of the flower are some pale chiues tipt with yellow
pendents, and a longer pointell, diuided or forked at the toppe: the
roote of this is in all things so like vnto the first white, that it
is impossible for the most cunning and conuersant in them, to know the
one from the other. This beareth seede very sparingly, as the white
doth, and is reddish like vnto it, but recompenseth that defect with
a plentifull encrease by the roote: it likewise flowereth at the very
same time with the white, and endureth as small a time.
14. _Crocus vernus purpureus maximus._ The greatest purple Crocus.
This great purple Crocus is of the same kinde with the next described,
as well in roote as leafe, but greater; for the greene leaues hereof
are the greatest and broadest of all other Crocus, with a large white
line in the middle of euery one: it springeth vp much later then the
former, and doth not shew his flower vntill the other bee past a good
while: the flowers also are the largest of all these Crocus of the
Spring time, and equalling, if not surpassing that purple kinde that
flowreth in Autumne, hereafter set forth, of a very faire and deepe
Violet colour, almost as deepe as the former: the seed vessels are
large also and white, wherein is contained pale reddish seede, like
vnto the next blew kinde, but somewhat greater: the roote is (as I
said before) like vnto the next, that is, flat and round, with a
duskie coloured outside, whose head for springing in it is as hardly
discerned.
[Sidenote: _Alter Apicibus albidis._]
We haue one of this kinde, the toppes onely of whose purple flower
are whitish, for the breadth of halfe the naile of a mans hand, which
abideth constant euery yeare in that manner, and therefore is a
difference fit to be remembred.
15. _Crocus vernus Neapolitanus siue cæruleus maior._
The greater blew Crocus of Naples.
This great blew Crocus riseth vp with diuers greene leaues, broader
then any of the former (except the last) with a white line running
downe the inside of euery leafe, as in the former, among which riseth
vp, out of diuers great long white skinnes, diuers large flowers, but
not fully so great as the former, consisting of six leaues, of a paler
blew or Violet colour then in the former, hauing in the middle of the
flowers a few pale threeds, tipt with yellow, and a longer pointell
of a gold yellow colour, forked or diuided at the toppe, smelling
sweeter then in the former, and abiding a great while longer, being in
flower vsually euen with the stript yellow Crocus, or before the former
purple, and yeelding more plenty of seede: the roote hereof is not very
great, but a little darke on the outside, being round and flat withall,
that one can hardly know which is the vpperside thereof.
[Sidenote: _Crocus Neapolitanus præcocior._]
This kinde differeth very little from the former, either in roote,
leafe, or flower, for the bignesse or colour, but that it seemeth to be
a little bleaker or paler blew, because it flowreth a little earlier.
16. _Crocus vernus purpureus striatus._ The stript purple Crocus.
The leaues of this stript purple Saffron flower, are as large and
broad as the last, or rather a little longer: the flowers also are
as plentifull, and as large, of a fine delayed purple colour on the
outside, with three broad strakes or lines downe the backe of the three
outer leaues, and of a little deeper purple on the inside, as the other
three leaues are also of a deeper purple colour, and are striped with
the same deepe purple about the ground, or bottome of the leaues: this
sometimes yeeldeth three square heads, containing in them brownish
seede: the roote is like vnto the last, and flowreth much about the
time of the former.
17. _Crocus vernus purpureus versicolor._
The siluer stript purple Crocus.
This stript Saffron flower, is in leaues and flowers somewhat like
vnto the last stript purple, but a little smaller: the flowers are
of a little deeper purple through the whole leaues, striped with
white lines, both on the leaues, and towards the edges, which maketh
a peculiar difference from all the rest: the roote of this is not so
flat, though like it, and couered with a darke ash coloured skinne: it
flowreth about the same time.
18. _Crocus purpureus flammeus maior._
The greater purple flame coloured Crocus.
The greene leaues of this Crocus or Saffron flower, are of a reasonable
breadth and length, and of a pleasant fresh greenesse, with a faire
broad white line downe the middle of them, but rising not out of the
ground so early as the next described Crocus: the flowers are likewise
of a meane bignesse, of a pale purple on the outside, somewhat whitish,
especially the three outer leaues; but on the inside of a deeper
purple, and striped with great stripes like flames, hauing some chiues
in the middle, and a longer one also feathered a little at the toppe:
the roote is white on the outside, somewhat flat and round, but not so
flat as the Neapolitane Crocus before described.
19. _Crocus purpureus flammeus minor._
The lesser purple flame coloured Crocus.
This Crocus hath almost as broad and long greene leaues as the former,
and of the same verdure, which rise vp earlier then it, and is in
flower likewise somewhat before it, being smaller for size by a little,
but of as deepe a purple on the outside, as on the inside, flamed with
faire broad stripes from the middle of the leaues, or somewhat lower
vnto the edges: each of these giue seed that is of a pale reddish
colour: the root is very like vnto the former, but a little lesser.
20. _Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio._
The purple Crocus with small leaues.
This small kinde of Saffron flower riseth out of the ground, with two
or three long and small green leaues, very like vnto the leaues of
the fine Fether-Grasse hereafter described, standing vpright at the
first, but afterwards lying vpon the ground; among which come the
flowers, sometimes three, but most vsually two vpon one stalke, if the
roote be not young, which then will beare but one on a stalke, which
is very short, so that the flowers scarce arise aboue the ground, yet
laying themselues open in the day time, if it be faire, and the Sunne
doe shine, otherwise they keepe close, and doe not open at all: and
after one flower is past, which doth not last aboue three or foure
dayes at the most, the others follow, which are of a bleake blewish
purple in the middle of the flower, and of a deeper purple towards the
ends or points or the leaues, but of a more sullen or darke purple on
the outside of them, and yellowish at the bottome, with some yellow
chiues in the middle: the seede is small and darker coloured then any
of the former Crocus, contained also in smaller heads, standing one
by another vpon the same short foote-stalke, which then riseth vp a
little higher, shewing the maner of the standing of the flowers, which
in their flowring time could not so easily bee discerned: the roote is
very small and round, hauing one side at the bottome lower then the
other, very like the roote of a _Colchicum_ or Medowe Saffron, and
somewhat neare resembling also the hoofe of an horse foote, couered
with a very thicke skinne, of a darke or blackish browne colour: this
flowreth the last of all the former sorts of Saffron flowers, euen when
they are all past.
21. _Crocus vernus purpureus striatus Capillarifolio._
The stript purple Crocus with small leaues.
This small stript purple Saffron flower hath such like leaues, as the
last described hath, betweene which riseth the flower vpon as short
a foote-stalke, consisting of six leaues like the former, of a faire
purple colour on the outside of the three outer leaues, with three
lines or strakes downe euery leafe, of a deeper purple colour, and
on the inside of a paler purple, as the other three leaues are also,
with some chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a forked pointell in
the middle: the roote of this is somewhat bigger then the former, and
rounder, but couered with as thicke and as browne a skinne: it flowreth
about the same time with the former.
22. _Crocus vernus luteus siue Mæsiacus._ The yellow Crocus.
The yellow Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with three or foure
leaues out of the ground, being somewhat neare the breadth of the great
purple kindes, with a white line in them, as in most of the rest: the
flowers stand in the middle of these leaues, and are very large, of a
gold yellow colour, with some chiues, and a forked point in the middle:
the seede hereof is of a brighter colour then in any of the other:
the roote is great and round, as great or greater then a Wall Nut
sometimes, and couered with reddish skinnes or coates, yeelding more
store of flowers then most of the former, and beginning to blowe with
the first sorts, or presently after, but outlast many of them, and are
of a pleasant good sent.
[Sidenote: _Flore aureo._]
Of this kinde we haue some, whose flowers are of a deeper gold yellow
colour then others, so that they appeare reddish withall.
[Sidenote: _Flore pallido._]
And we haue also another sort, whose flowers are very pale, betweene a
white and a yellow, not differing in any thing else.
[Sidenote: _Flore viridante luteo._]
And another smaller, whose flower hath a shew of greennesse in the
yellow, and more greene at the bottome.
23. _Crocus vernus flavus striatus._ The yellow stript Crocus.
This kinde of yellow stript Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with
more store of narrower and greener leaues then the former, and after
the leaues are spread, there rise vp many yellow flowers from among
them, which are not of so faire and bright a yellow colour, but more
dead and sullen, hauing on the backside of each of the three outtermost
leaues, three small stripes, of an ouer-worne or dull purple colour,
with some chiues and a pointell in the middle: the roote of this kinde,
is very like the roote of the former yellow, but somewhat smaller
and shorter, and couered with the like reddish skinnes, but a little
sadder: it flowreth not so early as the former yellow, but abideth
almost as long as it.
24. _Crocus vernus luteus versicolor primus._
The best cloth of gold Crocus.
The fairest cloth of gold Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp very
early, euen with the first, or the first of all other Crocus, with
three or foure very narrow and short leaues, of a whiter colour then
any of the former, which by and by after doe shew forth the flowers,
rising from among them out of the same white skinne, which includeth
the leaues, but are not so plentifull as the former yellow, being but
two or three at the most, of a faire gold yellow colour, yet somewhat
paler then the first, hauing on the backe of euery of the three outer
leaues, three faire and great stripes, of a faire deepe purple colour,
with some small lines at the sides or edges of those purple stripes; on
the inside of these flowers, there is no signe or shew of any line or
spot, but wholly of a faire gold yellow, with chiues and a fethertopt
pointell in the middle: the seede hereof is like the former, but not
so red: the roote of this kinde is easily knowne from the roote of any
other Saffron flower, because the outer peelings or shels being hard,
are as it were netted on the outside, hauing certaine ribbes, rising
vp higher then the rest of the skinnes, diuided in the forme of a
net-worke, of a darke browne colour, and is smaller and rounder then
the former yellow, and not encreasing so plentifully by the roote.
25. _Crocus vernus luteus versicolor alter._
The second cloth of gold, or Duke Crocus.
There is no difference either in roote, leafe, or colour of flower, or
time of flowring in this sort from the last before mentioned; for the
flower of this is of the same bignesse and colour, the only note of
difference is in the marking of the three outer leaues, which haue not
three stripes like the former, but are wholly of the same deepe purple
colour on the backe of them, sauing that the edges of them are yellow,
which is the forme of a Duke Tulipa, and from thence it tooke the name
of a Duke Crocus.
26. _Crocus vernus versicolor pallideluteus._
The pale cloth of gold Crocus.
We haue a third sort of this kinde of cloth of gold Crocus, which hath
leaues and flowers like the former, but differeth in this, that the
colour of the flower is of a paler yellow by much, but stript in the
same manner as the first, but with a fainter purple colour: the roote
also is netted like them, to shew that this is but a variation of the
same kinde.
27. _Crocus vernus versicolor albidoluteus._
The cloth of siluer Crocus.
The chiefest note of difference in this Saffron flower is, that being
as large a flower as any of the former of this kinde, it is of so pale
a yellowish white, that it is more white then yellow, which some doe
call a butter colour: the three outer leaues are striped on the backe
of them, with a paler purple blew shining colour, the bottome of the
flower, and the vpper part of the stalke, being of the same purple blew
colour: the roote of this is also netted as the other, to shew it is a
variety of the same kinde.
And thus much for those Saffron flowers that come in the Spring time;
now to those that flower in Autumne onely: and first of the true
Saffron.
1. _Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis._ The true Saffron.
The true Saffron that is vsed in meates and medicines, shooteth out
his narrow long greene leaues first, and after a while the flowers in
the middle of them appeare about the end of August, in September and
October, according to the soile, and climate where they growe; these
flowers are as large as any of the other former or late sorts, composed
of six leaues a peece, of a murrey or reddish purple colour, hauing a
shew of blew in them: in the middle of these flowers there are some
small yellow chiues standing vpright, which are as vnprofitable, as
the chiues in any other of the wilde Saffrons, before or hereafter
specified; but besides these, each flower hath two, three, or foure
greater and longer chiues, hanging downe vpon or betweene the leaues,
which are of a fierie red colour, and are the true blades of Saffron,
which are vsed physically or otherwise, and no other: All these blades
being pickt from the seuerall flowers, are laid and pressed together
into cakes, and afterwards dryed very warily on a Kill to preserue
them; as they are to be seene in the shops where they are sold. I neuer
heard that euer it gaue seede with any: the roote groweth often to be
as great, or greater then a green Wall Nut, with the outer shell on it,
couered with a grayish or ash-coloured skin, which breaketh into long
haire threeds, otherwise then in any other roote of Crocus.
2. _Crocus Byzantium argenteus._ The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.
This Saffron flower springeth vp in October, and seldome before, with
three or foure short greene leaues at the first, but growing longer
afterwards, and in the midst of them, presently after they haue
appeared, one flower for the most part, and seldome two, consisting of
six leaues, the three outermost whereof are somewhat larger then the
other three within, and are of a pale bleake blew colour, almost white,
which many call a siluer colour, the three innermost being of a purer
white, with some yellow chiues in the middle, and a longer pointell
ragged or fethered at the toppe: this very seldome beareth seede, but
when the yeare falleth out to bee very milde; it is small, round, and
of a darke colour: the roote is pretty bigge, and rounder then any
other Crocus, without any flat bottome, and couered with a darke russet
skinne.
3. _Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus._ The purple mountaine Crocus.
This purple Saffron flower of the Autumne, riseth vp but with one
flower vsually, yet sometimes with two one after another, without any
leaues at all, in September, or sometimes in August, standing vpon a
longer foote-stalke then any kinde of Saffron flower, either of the
Spring or Autumne, and is as large as the flower of the greatest purple
Saffron flower of the Spring, of a very deepe Violet purple colour,
which decayeth after it hath stood blowne three or foure dayes, and
becommeth more pale, hauing in the middle some yellow chiues, and a
long fether topt pointell, branched, and rising sometimes aboue the
edges of the flowers: about a moneth after the flowers are past, and
sometimes not vntill the first of the Spring, there riseth vp three or
foure long and broad greene leaues, with a white line in euery one of
them, like vnto the first purple Vernall kindes, which abide vntill
the end of May or Iune: the roote is small and white on the outside,
so like vnto the roote of the lesser Vernall purple or white Crocus,
that it cannot be distinguished, vntill about the end of August, when
it doth begin to shoot, and then by the early shooting vp a long white
sprout for flower, it may be knowne. I neuer could obserue it to giue
any seede, the Winter (as I thinke) comming on it so quickly after the
flowring, being the cause to hinder it.
4. _Crocus montanus Autumnalis._ The Autumne mountaine Crocus.
The mountaine Saffron flower springeth vp later then any of the former,
and doth not appeare vntill the middle or end of October, when all the
flowers of the former are past, appearing first with three or foure
short greene leaues, like vnto the Byzantine Crocus, and afterwards
the flowers betweene them, which are of a pale or bleake blew tending
to a purple, the foote-stalkes of them being so short, that they
scarce appeare aboue ground at the first, but after two or three dayes
they grow a little higher: the roote is very great and flat bottomed,
couered with a grayish duskie coate or skinne, and encreaseth very
little or seldome.
The Place.
The seuerall places of these Saffron flowers, are in part set
downe in their titles; the others haue beene found out, some
in one Countrey, and some in another, as the small purple and
white, and stript white in Spaine: the yellow in Mesia about
Belgrade, the great purple in Italy; and now by such friends
helpes as haue sent them, they prosper as well in our Gardens,
as in their naturall places. Yet I must giue you this to
vnderstand, that some of these formerly expressed, haue been
raised vp vnto vs by the sowing of their seede.
The Time.
Their seuerall times are likewise expressed in their
descriptions; for some shew forth their pleasant flowers in
the Spring, wherein for the three first moneths, our Gardens
are furnished with the varietie of one sort or another: the
rest in Autumne, that so they might procure the more delight,
in yeelding their beauty both early and late, when scarce any
other flowers are found to adorne them.
The Names.
I shall not neede to trouble you with an idle tale of the name
of Crocus, which were to little purpose, nor to reiterate
the former names imposed vpon them; let it suffice that the
fittest names are giuen them, that may distinguish them one
from another; onely this I must giue you to vnderstand, that
the gold yellow _Crocus_ or Saffron flower, is the true _Crocus
Mæsiacus_, as I shewed before; and that neither the yellow
stript, or cloth of gold (which wee so call after the Dutch
name _Gaud Laken_) is the true _Mæsiacus_, as some suppose; and
that the great white Saffron flower, by reason of his likenesse
vnto the gold yellow, is called _Crocus albus Mæsiaci facie_,
or _facie lutei_, that is, The white Saffron flower that is
like the _Mæsiacus_ or yellow.
The Vertues.
The true Saffron (for the others are of no vse) which wee call
English Saffron, is of very great vse both for inward and
outward diseases, and is very cordiall, vsed to expell any
hurtfull or venomous vapours from the heart, both in the small
Pockes, Measels, Plague, Iaundise, and many other diseases, as
also to strengthen and comfort any cold or weake members.
[Illustration:
1 _Crocus vernus luteus vulgaris._ The common yellow spring Crocus.
2 _Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis._ The true Saffron.
3 _Crocus Byzantinus argenteus._ The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.
4 _Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus._ The purple mountaine Crocus.
5 _Crocus montanus Autumnalis._ The Autumne mountaine Crocus.
6 _Sisyrinchium maius._ The greater Spanish Nut.
]
CHAP. XVIII.
_Sisyrinchium._ The Spanish Nut.
I can doe no otherwise then make a peculiar Chapter of this plant,
because it is neither a _Crocus_, although in the roote it come
somewhat neare vnto that kinde that is netted; but in no other part
agreeing with any the delineaments of a Saffron flower, and therefore
could not be thrust into the Chapter amongst them: neither can I place
it in the forefront of the Chapter of the _Iris bulbosa_, or bulbous
Flowerdeluces, because it doth not belong to that Family: and although
the flower thereof doth most resemble a Flowerdeluce, yet in that no
other parts thereof doe fitly agree thereunto, I haue rather chosen to
seate it by it selfe betweene them both, as partaking of both natures,
and so may serue in stead of a bridge, to passe from the one to the
other, that is, from the _Crocus_ or Saffron flower, to the _Iris
bulbosa_ or bulbous rooted Flowerdeluce, which shall follow in the next
Chapter by themselues.
The Spanish Nut hath two long and narrow, soft and smooth greene
leaues, lying for the most part vpon the ground, and sometimes standing
vp, yet bending downewards; betweene these leaues riseth vp a small
stalke, halfe a foote high, hauing diuers smooth soft greene leaues
vpon it, as if they were skinnes, through which the stalke passeth; at
the toppe whereof stand diuers flowers, rising one after another, and
not all flowring at once: for seldome shall you haue aboue one flower
blowne at a time, each whereof doth so quickly passe and fade away,
that one may well say, that it is but one dayes flower, or rather the
flower of a few houres: the flower it selfe hath nine leaues, like
vnto a Flowerdeluce, whereof the three that fall downe, haue in each
of them a yellow spot: the other three, which in the Flowerdeluces are
hollow and ridged, couering the other three that fall downe, in this
stand vpright, and are parted at the ends: the three that stand vp
in the middle are small and short: the whole flower is smaller then
any Flowerdeluce, but of sundry colours; for some are of an excellent
skie colour blew, others of a Violet purple, others of a darker purple
colour, and some white, and many others mixed, either pale blew and
deepe purple, or white and blew mixed or striped together very
variably, quickly fading as I said before: the seede is enclosed in
small cods, so thinne and transparent that one may easily see, and tell
the seeds as they lye, which are of a brownish red colour: the roote is
small, blackish and round, wrapped in a thicke skinne or huske, made
like vnto a net, or somewhat like vnto the roote of the cloth of gold
Crocus: when the plant is in flower, it is found to haue two rootes
one aboue another, whereof the vppermost is firme and sound, and the
vndermost loose and spongie, in like manner as is found in the rootes
of diuers Orchides or Satyrions, Bee-flowers and the like, and without
any good taste, or sweetnesse at all, although Clusius saith otherwise.
_Sisyrinchium Mauritanicum._ The Barbary Nut.
There is another of this kinde, not differing from the former in any
other notable part, but in the flower, which in this is of a delayed
purplish red colour, hauing in each of the three lower leaues a white
spot, in stead of the yellow in the former, but are as soone fading as
they.
The Place.
The former doe grow very plentifully in many parts both of
Spaine and Portugall, where Guillaume Boel, a Dutch man
heretofore remembred often in this Booke, found them; of the
sundry colours specified, whereas Clusius maketh mention but of
one colour that he found.
The other was found in that part of Barbary, where Fez and
Morocco do stand, and brought first into the Lowe-Countries:
but they are both very tender, and will hardly abide the hard
Winters of these colder regions.
The Time.
The first flowreth in May and Iune, the last not vntill August.
The Names.
The name _Sisyrinchium_ is generally imposed vpon this plant,
by all authors that haue written thereof, thinking it to bee
the right _Sisyrinchium_ of Theophrastus: but concerning the
Spanish name _Nozelha_, which Clusius saith it is called by in
Spaine, I haue beene credibly enformed by the aforenamed Boel,
that this roote is not so called in those parts; but that the
small or common stript Crocus is called _Nozelha_, which is
sweete in taste, and desired very greedily by the Shepheards
and Children, and that the roote of this _Sisyrinchium_ or
Spanish Nut, is without any taste, and is not eaten. And
againe, that there is not two kindes, although it grow greater,
and with more flowers, in those places that are neare the Sea,
where both the washing of the Sea water, and the moisture and
ayre of the Sea, causeth the ground to bee more 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 beene 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 cærulea._
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, 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 & purpuro 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.
[Sidenote: _Flore cinereo._]
There is also another, in all other things like vnto the former, but
only in the flower, 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.
[Sidenote: _Flore cinereo striata purpureo._]
And another of that bleake blew or ash-colour, with lines and veines of
purple in the leaues of the flowers, some more or lesse then other.
[Sidenote: _Flore purpureo orbe cinereo._]
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 the
former, not differing in roote, leafe, or flower, from the former,
but onely that the flower in this is of a pale reddish purple colour,
comming somewhat neare vnto the colour of a peach blossome.
5. _Iris bulbosa maior siue latifolia alba._
The great white bulbous Flowerdeluce.
The great white bulbous Flowerdeluce, riseth not vp so early out of the
ground as the blew or purple doth, but about a moneth or more after,
whose leaues are somewhat larger, and broader then of the others: the
stalke is thicker and shorter, bearing vsually two very large and great
flowers, one flowring a little before the other, yet oftentimes both
in flower together in the end, of a bleake blewish white colour, which
wee call a siluer colour, while they are in the budde, and before they
be blowne open, but then of a purer white, yet with an eye or shew of
that siluer colour remaining in them, the three falling leaues being
very large, and hauing that yellow spot in the middle of each of them:
the seedes are likewise inclosed in heads, like vnto the blew or purple
kindes, but larger, and are of a reddish yellow colour like them: the
roote likewise is not differing, but greater.
6. _Iris bulbosa maior alba variegata._
The great white stript bulbous Flowerdeluce.
This white stript Flowerdeluce, is in roote, leafe, and flower, and in
manner of growing, like vnto the former white Flowerdeluce; the onely
difference is in the marking of the flower, being diuers from it: for
this hath in the white flower great veines, stripes, or markes, of a
Violet blew colour, dispersed through the leaues of the flower very
variably, which addeth a superexcellent beauty to the flower.
7. _Iris bulbosa maior siue latifolia versicolor._
The great party coloured bulbous Flowerdeluce.
There is no difference in this from the former, but in the flower,
which is of a whitish colour in the three falling leaues, hauing a
circle of ash-colour about the yellow spot, the three rigged leaues
being likewise whitish, but ridged and edged with that ash-colour, and
the three vpright leaues of a pale blewish white colour, with some
veines therein of a blewish purple.
[Sidenote: _Varietas._]
There hath beene brought vnto vs diuers rootes of these kindes, with
the dryed flowers remaining on them, wherein there hath beene seene
more varieties, then I can well remember to expresse, which variety it
is very probable, hath risen by the sowing of the seeds, as is truely
obserued in the narrower leafed kinde of Flowerdeluce, in the Tulipa,
and in some other plants.
[Sidenote: _Flore luteo._]
Wee haue heard of one of this kinde of broad leafed Flowerdeluces, that
should beare a yellow flower, in the like manner as is to be seene in
the narrow leafed ones: but I haue not seene any such, and therefore I
dare report no further of it, vntill time hath discouered the truth or
falshood of the report.
[Illustration:
1 _Iris bulbosa latifolia prima Clusii._ Clusius his first great
bulbous Flowerdeluce.
2 _Iris bulbosa maior cærulea siue Anglica._ The great blew of
English bulbous Flowerdeluce.
3 _Iris bulbosa maior purpurea variegata._ The great purple stript
bulbous Flowerdeluce.
4 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia maior alba._ The greater white narrow
leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.
5 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia versicolor._ The party coloured narrow
leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.
6 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia Africana._ The purple African bulbous
narrow leafed Flowerdeluce.
]
The Place.
Lobelius is the first reporter, that the blew Flowerdeluce
or first kinde of these broad leafed Flowerdeluces, groweth
naturally in the West parts of England; but I am in some doubt
of the truth of that report: for I rather thinke, that some in
their trauels through Spaine, or other parts where it groweth,
being delighted with the beauty of the flower, did gather the
rootes, and bring them ouer with them, and dwelling in some of
the West parts of England, planted them, and there encreasing
so plentifully as they doe, they were imparted to many,
thereby in time growing common in all Countrey folkes Gardens
thereabouts. They grow also, and all the other, and many more
varieties, about Tholouse, from whence Plantinianus Gassanus
both sent and brought vs them, with many other bulbous rootes,
and rare plants gathered thereabouts.
The Time.
These doe flower vsually in the end of May, or beginning of
Iune, and their seede is ripe in the end of Iuly or August.
The Names.
Lobel calleth the first English blew Flowerdeluce, _Hyacinthus
Poetarum flore Iridis, & propter Hyacinthinum colorem, id est
violaceum dictus_: but I know not any great good ground for
it, more then the very colour; for it is neither of the forme
of a Lilly, neither hath it those mourning markes imprinted in
it, which the Poet faineth to bee in his Hyacinth. It is most
truely called an _Iris_, or Flowerdeluce (and there is great
difference betweene a Lilly and a Flowerdeluce, for the formes
of their flowers) because it answereth thereunto very exactly,
for the flower, and is therefore called vsually by most,
either _Iris bulbosa Anglica_, or _Iris bulbosa maior siue
latifolia_, for a difference betweene it, and the lesser with
narrow leaues: In English, eyther The great English bulbous
Flowerdeluce, or the great broad leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce,
which you will, adding the other name, according to the colour.
And thus much for these broad leafed bulbous Flowerdeluces, so much
as hath come to our knowledge. Now to the seuerall varieties of the
narrow leafed bulbous Flowerdeluces, so much likewise as we haue been
acquainted with.
_Iris bulbosa minor siue angustifolia alba._
The smaller white or narrow leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.