onely against the poison of the poisonfull Helmet flower, and
all others of that kinde, but also against the poison of all
venemous beasts, the plague or pestilence, and other infectious
diseases, which raise spots, pockes, or markes in the outward
skinne, by expelling the poison from within, and defending
the heart as a most soueraigne Cordiall. It it vsed also with
good successe against the wormes of the belly, and against the
paines of the Wind collick.
CHAP. XXVII.
_Ranunculus._ The Crowfoote.
Next vnto the Aconites, of right are to follow the _Ranunculi_ or
Crowfeete, for the nearenesse both of forme, of leaues, and nature of
the plants, although lesse hurtfull, yet all of them for the most part
being sharpe and exulcerating, and not without some danger, if any
would be too bold with them. The whole Family of the _Ranunculi_ is of
a very large extent, and I am constrained within the limits of a Garden
of Pleasure; I must therefore select out onely such as are fit for
this purpose, and set them here downe for your knowledge, leauing the
rest for that other generall worke, which time may perfect and bring
to light, if the couetous mindes of some that should be most affected
towards it, doe not hinder it: or if the helpe of generous spirits
would forward it.
1. _Ranunculus montanus albus humilior._
The lowe white mountaine Crowfoot.
This lowe Crowfoote hath three or foure broad and thicke leaues,
almost round, yet a little cut in and notched about the edges, of a
fine greene and shining colour on the vpperside, and not so green
vnderneath, among which riseth a small short stalke, bearing one snow
white flower on the toppe, made of fiue round pointed leaues, with
diuers yellow threads in the middle, standing about a greene head,
which in time groweth to be full of seede, in forme like vnto a small
greene Strawberry: the roote is composed of many white strings.
[Sidenote: _Duplici flore._]
There is another of this lowe kinde, whose leaues are somewhat more
deeply cut in on the edges, and the flower larger, and sometimes a
little double, as it were with two rowes of leaues, in other things not
differing from the former.
2. _Ranunculus montanus albus maior vel elatior._
The great single white mountaine Crowfoote.
The leaues of this Crowfoote are large and greene, cut into three,
and sometimes into fiue speciall diuisions, and each of them besides
cut or notched about the edges, somewhat resembling the leaues of the
Globe Crowfoote, but larger: the stalke is two foote and a halfe high,
hauing three small leaues set at the ioynt of the stalke, where it
brancheth out into flowers, which stand foure or fiue together vpon
long foote-stalkes, made of fiue white leaues a peece, very sweete, and
somewhat larger then the next white Crowfoote, with some yellow threads
in the middle compassing a greene head, which bringeth seede like vnto
other wilde Crowfeete: the roote hath many long thicke whitish strings,
comming from a thicke head.
3. _Ranunculus montanus albus minor._
The lesser single white Crowfoote.
This Crowefoote hath faire large spread leaues, cut into fiue
diuisions, and somewhat notched about the edges, greene on the
vpperside, and paler vnderneath, hauing many veines running through the
leaues: the stalke of this riseth not so high as the former, although
this be reasonable tall, as being neare two foote high, spread into
many branches, bearing such like white flowers, as in the former, but
smaller: the seede of this is like the former, and so are the rootes
likewise.
4. _Ranunculus albus flore pleno._ The double white Crowfoote.
The double white Crowfoote is of the same kinde with the last single
white Crowfoote, hauing such like leaues in all respects: the onely
difference is in the flowers, which in this are very thicke and double.
Some doe make mention of two sorts of double white Crowfeete, one
somewhat lower then another, and the lower likewise bearing more store
of flowers, and more double then the higher: but I confesse, I haue
neuer seene but one sort of double, which is the same here expressed,
not growing very high, and reasonably well stored with flowers.
5. _Ranunculus præcox Rutæfolio siue Coriandrifolio._
The early Coriander leafed Crowfoote.
This Crowfoote hath three or foure very greene leaues, cut and diuided
into many small peeces, like vnto the wing of leaues of Rue, or rather
like the lower leaues of the Coriander (for they well resemble either
of them) euery of them standing vpon a long purplish stalke, at the
toppe whereof groweth the flower alone, being composed or made of
twelue small white leaues, broad pointed, and a little endented at
the ends, somewhat purplish on the outside, and white on the inside,
sustained by diuers small greene leaues, which are in stead of a cup or
huske: in the middle of the flower are many small white threads, tipt
with yellow pendents, standing about a small greene head, which after
groweth to bee full of seedes like a Strawberry, which knobs giue small
blackish seede: the roote is white and fibrous.
6. _Ranunculus Thalictrifolio maior._
The great colombine leafed Crowfoot.
The lower leaues of this Crowfoote haue long stalkes, and are very
like vnto the smaller leaues of Colombines, or the great Spanish
_Thalictrum_, which hath his leaues very like vnto a Colombine, foure
or fiue rising from the roote: the stalke riseth about a foote and
a halfe high, somewhat reddish, beset here and there with the like
leaues, at the toppe whereof stand diuers small white flowers, made of
fiue leaues a peece, with some pale white threads in the middle: the
seede is round and reddish, contained in small huskes or hornes: the
roote is made of a bush or tuft of white strings.
7. _Ranunculus Thalictrifolio minor Asphodeli radice._
The small white Colombine leafed Crowfoote.
This small Crowfoote hath three or foure winged leaues spread vpon the
ground, standing vpon long stalkes, and consisting of many small leaues
set together, spreading from the middle ribbe, euery leafe somewhat
resembling both in shape and colour the smallest and youngest leaues
of Colombines: the flowers are white, standing at the toppe of the
stalkes, made of fiue round leaues: the root hath three or foure thick,
short, and round yellowish clogs hanging at the head, like vnto the
Asphodill roote. The great Herball of Lyons, that goeth vnder the name
of _Daleschampius_, saith, that Dʳ. Myconus found it in Spaine, and
sent it vnder the name of Oenanthe; and therefore Ioannes Molineus who
is thought to haue composed that booke, set it among the vmbelliferous
plants, because the Oenanthes beare vmbels of flowers and seede, and
haue tuberous or cloggy rootes; but with what iudgement, let others
say, when they haue compared the vmbels of flowers and seede of the
Oenanthes, with the flowers and seede of this plant, and whether I haue
not more properly placed it among the _Ranunculi_ or Crowfeete, and
giuen it a denomination agreeable to his forme.
8. _Ranunculus Globosus._ The Globe Crowfoot.
This Crowfoote (which in the Northerne countries of England where it
groweth plentifully, is called Locker goulons) hath many faire, broad,
darke greene leaues next the ground, cut into fiue, sixe, or seuen
diuisions, and iagged besides at the edges; among which riseth vp a
stalke, whereon are set such like leaues as are belowe, but smaller,
diuided toward the toppe into some branches, on the which stand
seuerall large yellow flowers, alwayes folded inward, or as a close
flower neuer blowing open, as other flowers doe, consisting of eleuen
leaues for the most part, set or placed in three rowes, with many
yellow threads in the middle, standing about a greene rough head, which
in time groweth to be small knops, wherein are contained blacke seede:
the roote is composed of many blackish strings.
9. _Ranunculus pratensis flore multiplici._
The double yellow field Crowfoot.
There is little or no difference in the leaues of this double Crowfoot,
from those of the single kindes that growe in euery medowe, being large
and diuided into foure or fiue parts, and indented about the edges, but
they are somewhat smaller, and of a fresher greene: the flowers stand
on many branches, much diuided or separated, being not very great, but
very thicke and double: the roote runneth and creepeth vnder ground
like as the single doth.
10. _Ranunculus Anglicus maximus multiplex._
The Garden double yellow Crowfoot or Batchelours buttons.
This great double Crowfoote, which is common in euery Garden through
England, hath many great blackish greene leaues, iagged and cut into
three diuisions, each to the middle ribbe: the stalkes haue some
smaller leaues on them, and those next vnder the branches long and
narrow: the flowers are of a greenish yellow colour, very thicke and
double of leaues, in the middle whereof riseth vp a small stalke,
bearing another double flower, like to the other, but smaller: the
roote is round, like vnto a small white Turnep, with diuers other
fibres annexed vnto it.
[Illustration:
1 _Aconitum Hyemale._ Winter Wolfesbane.
2 _Aconitum flore albido siue luteum Ponticum._ The whitish yellow
Wolfesbane.
3 _Napellus verus._ Blew Helmets or Monkes hood.
4 _Anthora._ The counterpoison Monkes hood.
5 _Ranunculus humilis albus simplex._ The single white low Crowfoot.
6 _Ranunculus humilis albus duplici flore._ The double lowe white
Crowfoot.
7 _Ranunculus Coriandrifolio._ The early Coriander leafed Crowfoot.
8 _Ranunculus montanus elatior albus._ The great single white
mountain Crowfoot.
9 _Ranunculus montanus albus flore pleno._ The double white mountain
Crowfoot.
10 _Ranunculus Thalictrifolio minor._ The lesser Colombine leafed
Crowfoot.
11 _Ranunculus globosus._ The globe Crowfoot.
]
11. _Ranunculus Gramineus._ Grasse leafed Crowfoot
The leaues of this Crowfoote are long and narrow, somewhat like vnto
Grasse, or rather like the leaues of single Gilloflowers or Pinckes,
being small and sharpe pointed, a little hollow, and of a whitish
greene colour; among these leaues rise vp diuers slender stalkes,
bearing one small flower at the toppe of each, consisting of fiue
yellow leaues, with some threads in the middle: the roote is composed
of many thicke, long, round white strings.
There is another of this kinde that beareth flowers with two rowes of
leaues, as if it were double, differing in nothing else.
12. _Ranunculus Lusitanicus Autumnalis._
The Portugall Autumne Crowfoot.
This Autumne Crowfoote hath diuers broad round leaues lying on the
ground, set vpon short foote-stalkes, of a faire greene colour aboue,
and grayish vnderneath, snipt all about the edges, hauing many veines
in them, and sometimes swelling as with blisters or bladders on them;
from among which rise vp two or three slender and hairy stalkes,
bearing but one small yellow flower a peece, consisting of fiue and
sometimes of six leaues, and sometimes of seuen or eight, hauing a few
threads in the middle, set about a small greene head, like vnto many of
the former Crowfeete, which bringeth small blacke seede: the roote is
made of many thicke short white strings, which seeme to be grumous or
kernelly rootes, but that they are somewhat smaller, and longer then
any other of that kinde.
13. _Ranunculus Creticus latifolius._
The broad leafed Candy Crowfoot.
This Crowfoote of Candy, hath the greatest and broadest leaues of all
the sorts of Crowfeete, being almost round, and without any great
diuisions, but onely a few notches about the edges here and there,
as large or larger sometimes then the palme of a mans hand; among
which riseth vp the stalke, not very high when it doth first flower,
but afterwards, as the other flowers doe open themselues, the stalke
groweth to be a foote and a halfe high, or thereabouts, hauing some
leaues on it, deeply cut in or diuided, and bearing many faire yellow
flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, being somewhat whitish in
the middle, when the flower hath stood blowne a little time: the roote
is composed of a number of small kernelly knobs, or long graines, set
thicke together. This flowreth very early, being vsually in flower
before the end of March, and oftentimes about the middle thereof.
14. _Ranunculus Creticus albus._ The white Candy Crowfoote.
The leaues of this Crowfoote are very like vnto the leaues of the red
Crowfoote of Tripoli or Asia, hereafter set downe, being somewhat
broad and indented about the edges, some of the leaues being also cut
in or gashed, thereby making it as it were three diuisions, of a pale
greene colour, with many white spots in them: the stalke riseth vp a
foote high, with some leaues on it, more diuided then the lower, and
diuided at the toppe into two and sometimes into three branches, each
of them bearing a faire snow white flower, somewhat large, included at
the first in a brownish huske or cup of leaues, which afterwards stand
vnder the flowers, consisting of fiue white large round pointed leaues,
in the middle whereof is set many blackish purple thrums, compassing
a small long greene head, composed of many scales or chaffie whitish
huskes, when they are ripe, which are the seede, but vnprofitable in
all that euer I could obserue: the rootes are many small graines or
kernels, set together as in the former, and much about the same colour,
that is, of a darke or duskie grayish colour, but much smaller.
[Sidenote: _Alba purpureis oris & venis._]
There is another of this kinde, whose flowers haue purple edges, and
sometimes some veines of the same purple in the leaues of the flowers,
not differing in any other thing from the former.
[Sidenote: _Alba oris rubris._]
And another, whose edges of the flowers are of a bright red colour.
[Illustration:
1 _Ranunculus gramineus flore simplici & duplici._ The single and
the double grasse Crowfoot.
2 _Ranunculus Lusitanicus Autumnalis._ The Portugall Autumne
Crowfoot.
3 _Ranunculus Creticus latifolius._ The broad leafed Candy Crowfoot.
4 _Ranunculus Anglicus maximus multiplex._ The double English
Crowfoot.
5 _Ranunculus pratensis flore multiplici._ The double yellow field
Crowfoot.
6 _Ranunculus Creticus albus._ The white Candy Crowfoot.
7 _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore albo vel pallido vario._ The white or
the straw coloured Crowfoot with red tops or edges.
8 _Ranunculus Tripolitanus flore rubro simplici._ The single red
Crowfoot of Tripoli.
9 _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore rubro amplo._ The large single red
Crowfoot of Asia.
10 _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore rubro pleno._ The double red Crowfoot
of Asia.
11 _Caltha palustris flore pleno._ Double Marsh Marigold or
Batchelours buttons.
]
15. _Ranunculus Creticus flore argenteo._
The Argentine, or cloth of siluer Crowfoot.
The greene leaues of this Crowfoote are as small and thinne, cut in
or diuided on the edges, as the last two sorts; the stalke riseth
vp somewhat higher, and diuided into some branches, bearing at the
toppe of euery of them one flower, somewhat smaller then the former,
composed of six, seuen, and sometimes of eight small round pointed
leaues, of a whitish yellow blush colour on the inside wholly, except
sometimes a little stript about the edges: but the outside of euery
leafe is finely stript with crimson stripes, very thicke, somewhat
like vnto a Gilloflower: in the middle riseth vp a small blacke head,
compassed about with blackish blew threads or thrums, which head is as
vnfruitfull for seede in our Countrey as the former. This flower hath
no such greene leaues vnder it, or to enclose it before it be blowne
open as the former: the rootes are in all things like the former.
16. _Ranunculus Asiaticus siue Tripolitanus flore rubro._
The single red Crowfoote of Asia or Tripoli.
The lower leaues of this red Crowfoote are alwayes whole without
diuisions, being onely somewhat deeply indented about the edges, but
the other that rise after them are more cut in, sometimes into three,
and sometimes into fiue diuisions, and notched also about the edges:
the stalke riseth higher then any of the former, and hath on it two or
three smaller leaues, more cut in and diuided then those belowe: at the
toppe whereof standeth one large flower, made of fiue leaues, euery one
being narrower at the bottome then at the toppe, and not standing close
and round one to another, but with a certaine distance betweene, of a
duskie yellowish red colour on the outside, and of a deepe red on the
inside, the middle being set with many thrums of a darke purple colour:
the head for seede is long, and scaly or chaffie, and idle in like
manner as the rest: the roote is made of many graines or small kernels
set together, and closing at the head, but spreading it selfe, if it
like the ground, vnder the vpper crust of the earth into many rootes,
encreasing from long strings, that runne from the middle of the small
head of graines, as well as at the head it selfe.
17. _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore amplo rubro._
The large single red Crowfoot of Asia.
There hath come to vs out of Turkie, together with the former, among
many other rootes, vnder the same title, a differing sort of this
Crowfoote, whose leaues weare broader, and much goaler; the flower also
larger, and the leaues thereof broader, sometimes eight in a flower,
standing round and close one to another, which maketh the fairer shew:
in all other things it is like the former.
18. _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore rubro vario simplici._
The red stript single Crowfoote of Asia.
This party coloured Crowfoote differeth not eyther in roote or leafe
from the former, the chiefest difference is in the flower, which being
red, somewhat like the former, hath yet some yellow stripes or veines
through euery leafe, sometimes but little, and sometimes so much, that
it seemeth to bee party coloured red and yellow: this sort is very
tender; for we haue twice had it, and yet perished with vs.
19. _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore luteo vario simplici._
The yellow stript single Crowfoote of Asia.
There is little difference in the roote of this Crowfoote from the last
described, but the leaues are much different, being very much diuided,
and the flower is large, of a fine pale greenish yellow colour,
consisting of six and seuen, and sometimes of eight or nine round
leaues; the toppes whereof haue reddish spots, and the edges sometimes
also, with such purplish thrums in the middle that the other haue. None
of these former Crowfeete with kernelly rootes, haue euer beene found
to haue giuen so good seed in England, as that being sowne, any of them
would spring vp; for hereof tryall hath been often made, but all they
haue lost their labour, that haue bestowed their paines therein, as
farre as I know.
20. _Ranunculus Asiaticus flore rubro pleno._
The double red Crowfoote of Asia.
The double red Crowfoote hath his rootes and leaues so like vnto the
single red kinde, that none can perceiue any difference, or know the
one from the other, vntill the budde of the flower doe appeare, which
after it is any thing forward, may be perceiued to be greater and
fuller then the budde of the single kinde. This kinde beareth most
vsually but one faire large double flower on the toppe of the stalke,
composed of many leaues, set close together in three or foure rowes, of
an excellent crimson colour, declining to Scarlet, the outter leaues
being larger then the inner; and instead of thrummes, hath many small
leaues set together: it hath likewise six small narrow greene leaues on
the backside of the flower, where the stalke is fastened to the flower.
[Sidenote: _Prolifero flore._]
There is of this double kinde another sort, whose flower is of the same
colour with the former, but out of the middle of the flower ariseth
another double flower, but smaller.
The Place.
These plants grow naturally in diuers Countries; some in
France, and Germany, and some in England, some in Spaine,
Portugall, and Italy, and some haue been sent out of Turkie
from Constantinople, and some from other parts, their titles
for the most part descrying their Countries.
The Time.
Some of them flower early, as is set downe in their
descriptions, or titles. The others in Aprill and May. The
white Candy Crowfoote, and the other single and double sorts
of Asia, about the same time, or somewhat later, and one in
Autumne, as it is set downe.
The Names.
The names that are giuen seuerally to them may well serue
this worke, that thereby they may bee distinguished one from
another: For to set downe any further controuersie of names,
how fitly or vnfitly they haue beene called, and how variably
by diuers former Writers, is fitter for a generall History,
vnto which I leaue what may be said, both concerning these
and the rest: Onely this I would giue you to vnderstand, that
the Turkie kindes haue been sent to vs vnder the names of
_Terobolos_ for the single, and _Terobolos Catamer lale_ for
the double, and yet oftentimes, those that haue been sent for
double, haue proued single, so little fidelity is to bee found
among them.
The Vertues.
All or most of these plants are very sharpe and exulcerating,
yet the care and industry of diuers learned men haue found many
good effects in many of them. For the rootes and leaues both of
the wilde kindes, and of some of these of the Garden, stamped
and applyed to the wrists, haue driuen away the fits in Feuers.
The roote likewise of the double English kinde is applyed for
pestilent sores, to helpe to breake them, by drawing the venome
to the place. They helpe likewise to take away scarres and
markes in diuers places of the body.
CHAP. XXVIII.
_Caltha palustris flore pleno._ Double Marsh Marigold.
As an appendix to the Crowfeete, I must needes adde this plant, yet
seuerally by it selfe, because both it and his single kinde are by
most adioyned thereunto, for the neare resemblance both in shape and
sharpnesse of quality. The single kinde I leaue to the Ditch sides, and
moist grounds about them, as the fittest places for it, and onely bring
the double kinde into my Garden, as fittest for his goodly proportion
and beauty to be entertained, and haue place therein.
The double Marsh Marigold hath many broad and round greene leaues, a
little endented about the edges, like vnto the single kinde, but not
altogether so large, especially in a Garden where it standeth not very
moist: the stalkes are weake, round, hollow, and greene, diuided into
three or foure branches at the toppe, with leaues at the seuerall
ioynts, whereon stand very double flowers, of a gold yellow colour:
the fiue outer leaues being larger then any of the rest that are
encompassed by them, which fall away after they haue stood blowne a
great while (for it endureth in flower a moneth or more, especially if
it stand in a shadowie place) without bearing any seed: the rootes are
composed of many thicke, long, and round whitish strings, which runne
downe deep into the ground, and there are fastened very strongly.
The Place.
This plant groweth naturally in diuers Marshes, and moist
grounds in Germany, yet in some more double then in others; it
hath long agoe beene cherished in our Gardens.
The Time.
It flowreth in Aprill or May, as the yeare proueth earlier or
later: all his leaues doe in a manner quite perish in Winter,
and spring anew in the end of February, or thereabouts.
The Names.
There is great controuersie among the learned about the single
kinde, but thereof I shall not neede to speake in this place;
if God permit I may in a fitter. This is called generally in
Latine, _Caltha palustris multiplex_, or _flore pleno_. And
wee in English (after the Latine, which take _Caltha_ to be
that which wee vsually call _Calendula_, a Marigold) The double
Marsh Marigold.
The Vertues.
The roote hereof is sharpe, comming neare vnto the quality of
the Crowfeete, but for any speciall property, I haue not heard
or found any.
CHAP. XXIX.
_Hepatica nobilis siue trifolia._ Noble Liuerwort.
Next vnto the Crowfeete are to follow the Hepaticas, because of the
likenesse with them, seeming to be small Crowfeete in all their
parts, but of another and more wholsome kinde. Their diuersity among
themselues consisteth chiefly in the colour of the flowers, all of them
being single, except one which is very thicke and double.
1. _Hepatica flore cæruleo simplici maior._
The great single blew Hepatica or noble Liuerwort.
The flowers of this Hepatica doe spring vp, blow open, and sometimes
shed and fall away, before any leaues appeare or spread open. The
rootes are composed of a bush of blackish things, from the seuerall
heads or buttons whereof, after the flowers are risen and blowne, arise
many fresh greene leaues, each seuerally standing vpon his foot-stalke,
folded together, and somewhat browne and hairy at their first comming,
which after are broad, and diuided at the edges into three parts: the
flowers likewise stand euery one vpon his owne seuerall foote-stalke,
of the same height with the leaues for the most part, which is about
foure or fiue fingers breadth high, made of six leaues most vsually,
but sometimes it will haue seuen or eight, of a faire blew colour, with
many white chiues or threads in the middle, standing about a middle
green head or vmbone, which after the flower is fallen groweth greater,
and sheweth many small graines or seede set close together (with three
small greene leaues compassing them vnderneath, as they did the flower
at the bottome) very like the head of seed of manie Crowfeete.
2. _Hepatica minor flore pallido cæruleo._ The small blew Hepatica.
The leaues of this Hepatica are smaller by the halfe then the former,
and grow more aboundantly, or bushing thicke together: the flowers
(when it sheweth them, for I haue had the plant halfe a score yeares,
and yet neuer saw it beare flower aboue once or twice) are of a pale or
bleake blew colour, not so large as the flowers of the former.
3. _Hepatica flore purpureo._ Purple Hepatica or noble Liuerwort.
This Hepatica is in all things like vnto the first, but onely the
flowers are of a deeper blew tending to a Violet purple: and therefore
I shall not neede to reiterate the former description.
4. _Hepatica flore albo minor._ The lesser white Hepatica.
The flowers of this Hepatica are wholly white, of the bignesse of the
red or purple, and the leaues somewhat smaller, and of a little whiter
of paler greene colour, else in all other things agreeing with the
former.
5. _Hepatica alba magno flore._ The great white Hepatica.
There is no other difference herein from the last, but that the flower
being as white, is as large as the next.
6. _Hepatica albida siue argentea._
Ash-coloured of Argentine Hepatica.
Both the leaues and the flowers of this Hepatica are larger then any of
the former, except the last: the flowers hereof at the first opening
seeme to bee of a blush ash-colour, which doe so abide three or foure
dayes, decaying still vntill it turne almost white, hauing yet still a
shew of that blush ash-colour in them, till the very last.
7. _Hepatica alba straminibus rubris._
White Hepatica with red threads.
There is no difference between this Hepatica and the first white one,
sauing that the threads in the middle of the flower, being white, as in
the former, are tipt at the ends with a pale reddish colour, which adde
a great beauty to the flowers.
8. _Hepatica flore rubro._ Red Hepatica or noble Liuerwort.
The leaues of this Hepatica are of a little browner red colour, both at
their first comming vp, and afterwards, especially in the middle of the
leafe more then any of the former: the flowers are in forme like vnto
the rest, but of a bright blush, or pale red colour, very pleasant to
behold, with white threads or chiues in the middle of them.
9. _Hepatica flore purpureo multiplici siue pleno._
The double purple Hepatica.
The double Hepatica is in all things like vnto the single purple
kinde, sauing onely that the leaues are larger, and stand vpon longer
foote-stalkes, and that the flowers are small buttons, but very thicke
of leaues, and as double as a flower can be, like vnto the double white
Crowfoote before described, but not so bigge, of a deepe blew or purple
colour, without any threads or head in the middle, which fall away
without giuing any seede.
10. _Hepatica flore cæruleo pleno._ The double blew Hepatica.
In the colour of this flower, consisteth the chiefest difference from
the last, except one may say it is a little lesse in the bignesse of
the flower, but not in doublenesse of leaues.
The Place.
All these plants with single flowers grow naturally in the
Woods, and shadowie Mountaines of Germany in many places, and
some of them in Italy also. The double kinde likewise hath been
sent from Alphonsus Pantius out of Italy, as Clusius reporteth,
and was also found in the Woods, neare the Castle of Starnbeg
in Austria, the Lady Heusenstains possession, as the same
Clusius reporteth also.
The Time.
These plants doe flower very early, and are of the first
flowers that shew themselues presently after the deepe frosts
in Ianuary, so that next vnto the Winter Wolfesbane, these
making their pride appeare in Winter, are the more welcome
early guests. The double kinde flowreth not altogether so
early, but sheweth his flower, and abideth when the others are
past.
The Names.
They haue obtained diuers names; some calling them _Hepatica_,
_Hepatica nobilis_, _Hepaticum trifolium_, _Trifolium
nobile_, _Trifolium aureum_, and some _Trinitas_, and _Herba
Trinitatis_. In English you may call them either Hepatica,
after the Latine name, as most doe, or Noble Liuerwort, which
you please.
The Vertues.
These are thought to coole and strengthen the liuer, the name
importing as much; but I neuer saw any great vse of them by any
the Physitians of our London Colledge, or effect by them that
haue vsed them in Physicke in our Country.
[Illustration:
1 _Hepatica flore albo amplo simplici._ The large white Hepatica.
2 _Hepatica flore rubro simplici._ The red Hepatica.
3 _Hepatica flore purpureo pleno._ The double purple Hepatica.
4 _Geranium tuberosum._ Knobbed Cranes bill.
5 _Geranium Batrachoides flore albo vel cæruleo._ The blew or white
Crowfoote Cranes bill.
6 _Geranium Hematodes._ The red Rose Cranes bill.
7 _Geranium Romanum striatum._ The variable stript Cranes bill.
8 _Geranium Creticum._ Candy Cranes bill.
]
CHAP. XXX.
_Geranium._ Storkes bill or Cranes bill.
As was said before concerning the Crowfeet, of their large extent and
restraint, the like may be said of the Storkes bils or Cranes bils;
for euen of these as of them, I must for this worke set forth the
descriptions but of a few, and leaue the rest to a generall worke.
1. _Geranium tuberosum vel bulbosum._ Bulbous or knobbed Cranes bill.
The knobbed Cranes hath three or foure large leaues spread vpon the
ground, of a grayish or rather dusty greene colour, euery one of them
being as it were of a round forme, but diuided or cut into six or
seuen long parts or diuisions, euen vnto the middle, which maketh it
seeme to be so many leaues, each of the cuts or diuisions being deeply
notched or indented on both sides; among which riseth vp a stalke a
foote high or better, bearing thereon diuers pale but bright purple
flowers, made of fiue leaues a peece, after which come small heads with
long pointed beakes, resembling the long bill of a Storke or Crane, or
such like bird, which after it is ripe, parteth at the bottome where
it is biggest, into foure or fiue seedes, euery one whereof hath a
peece of the beake head fastened vnto it, and falleth away if it bee
not gathered: the roote is tuberous and round, like vnto the roote of
the _Cyclamen_ or ordinary Sowbread almost, but smaller, and of a darke
russet colour on the outside, and white within, which doth encrease
vnder ground, by certaine strings running from the mother root into
small round bulbes, like vnto the rootes of the earth Chesnut, and will
presently shoote leaues, and quickly grow to beare flowers, but will
not abide to be kept long dry out of the ground, without danger to be
vtterly spoiled.
2. _Geranium Batrachoides flore cæruleo._
The blew Crowfoote Cranes bill.
This Crowfoote Cranes bill hath many large leaues, cut into fiue or
fix parts or diuisions, euen to the bottome, and iagged besides on the
edges, set vpon very long slender foote-stalkes, very like the leaues
of the wilde Crowfoot; from among which rise vp diuers stalkes with
great ioynts, somewhat reddish, set with leaues like the former: the
toppes of the stalkes are spread into many branches, whereon stand
diuers flowers, made of fiue leaues a peece, as large as any of the
wilde or field Crowfeete, round pointed, of a faire blew or watchet
colour, which being past, there doe arise such heads or bils, as other
of the Cranes bils haue: the roote is composed of many reddish strings,
spreading in the ground, from a head made of diuers red heads, which
lye oftentimes eminent aboue the ground.
3. _Geranium Batrachoides flore albo._
The white Crowfoote Cranes bill.
This Cranes bill is in leafe and flower altogether like the former, the
onely difference betweene them consisteth in the colour of the flower,
which in this is wholly white, and as large as the former: but the
roote of this hath not such red heads as the other hath.
4. _Geranium Batrachoides flore albo & cæruleo vario._
The party coloured Crowfoote Cranes bill.
The flowers of this Cranes bill are variably striped and spotted, and
sometimes diuided, the one halfe of euery leafe being white, and the
other halfe blew, sometimes with lesser or greater spots of blew in the
white leafe, very variably, and more in some years then in others, that
it is very hard to expresse all the varieties that may be obserued in
the flowers, that blow at one time. In all other parts of the plant, it
is so like vnto the former, that vntill it be in flower, the one cannot
be knowne from the other.
5. _Geranium Batrachoides alterum flore purpureo._
Purple Crowfoote Cranes bill.
This purple Cranes bill hath many leaues rising from the roote, set
vpon long foot-stalkes, somewhat like vnto the other, yet not so broad,
but more diuided or cut, that is, into seuen or more slits, euen to
the middle, each whereof is likewise cut in on the edges more deeply
then the former; the stalkes are somewhat knobbed at the ioynts, set
with leaues like vnto the lower, and bearing a great tuft of buds at
the toppes of the branches, which breake out into faire large flowers,
made of fiue purple leaues, which doe somewhat resemble the flower of
a Mallow, before it be too full blowne, each whereof hath a reddish
pointell in the middle, and many small threads compassing it, this
vmbell or tuft of buds doe flower by degrees, and not all at once, and
euery flower abideth open little more then one day, and then sheddeth,
so that euery day yeeldeth fresh flowers, which because they are so
many, are a long while before they are all past or spent: after the
flowers are past, there arise small beake heads or bils, like vnto the
other Cranes bils, with small turning seede: the roote is composed of a
great tuft of strings, fattened to a knobby head.
6. _Geranium Romanum versicolor siue striatum._
The variable stript Cranes bill.
This beautifull Cranes bill hath many broad yellowish greene leaues
arising from the roote, diuided into fiue or six parts, but not vnto
the middle as the first kindes are: each of these leaues hath a
blackish spot at the bottome corners of the diuisions, the whole leafe
as well in forme as colour and spots, is very like vnto the leafe of
the _Geranium fuscum_, or spotted Cranes bill, next following to be
described, but that the leaues of this are not so large as the other:
from among these leaues spring vp sundry stalkes a foote high and
better, ioynted and knobbed here and there, bearing at the tops two
or three small white flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, so
thickly & variably striped with fine small reddish veines, that no
green leafe that is of that bignesse can shew so many veines in it,
nor so thick running as euery leafe of this flower doth: in the middle
of the flower standeth a small pointell, which when the flower is part
doth grow to be the seed vessell, whereon is set diuers small seeds,
like vnto the small seedes of other Cranes bils: the root is made of
many small yellow threads or strings.
7. _Geranium fuscum siue maculatum._
Swart tawny or spotted Cranes bill.
The leaues of this Cranes bill are in all points like the last
described, as well in the forme and diuisions as colour of the leaues,
being of a yellowish greene colour, but larger and stronger by much:
the stalkes of this rise much higher, and are ioynted or knobbed with
reddish knees or ioynts, on the tops whereof stand not many although
large flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, each whereof is round
at the end, and a little snipt round about, and doe bend or turne
themselues backe to stalkewards, making the middle to be highest or
most eminent; the colour of the flower is of a darke or deepe blackish
purple, the bottome of euery leafe being whiter than the rest; it hath
also a middle pointell standing out, which afterwards bring forth seede
like vnto others of his kinde: the roote consisteth of diuers great
strings, ioyned to a knobby head.
8. _Geranium Hematodes._ The red Rose Cranes bill.
This Cranes bill hath diuers leaues spread vpon the ground, very much
cut in or diuided into many parts, and each of them againe slit or cut
into two or three peeces, standing vpon slender long foote-stalkes,
of a faire greene colour all the Spring and Summer, but reddish in
Autumne: among these leaues spring vp slender and weake stalkes, beset
at euery ioynt (which is somewhat reddish) with two leaues for the most
part, like vnto the lower: the flowers grow seuerally on the toppe of
the stalkes, and not many together in bunches or branches, as in all
other Cranes bils, euery flower being as large as a single Rose Campion
flower, consisting of fiue large leaues, of a deeper red colour then
in any other Cranes bill at the first opening, and will change more
blewish afterwards: when the flower is past, there doth arise such like
beakes as are in others of the same kinde, but small: the roote is
hard, long, and thicke, with diuers branches spreading from it, of a
reddish yellow colour on the outside, and whitish within, which abideth
and perisheth not, but shooteth forth some new greene leaues, which
abide all the Winter, although those that turne red doe fall away.
_Geranium Creticum._ Candy Cranes bill.
Candy Cranes bill beareth long and tender stalkes, whereon growe diuers
broad and long leaues, cut in or iagged on the edges: the toppes of
the stalkes are branched into many flowers, made of fiue leaues of a
reasonable bignesse, and of a faire blew or watchet colour, with a
purplish pointell in the middle, which being past, there follow beake
heads like other Cranes bils, but greater, containing larger, greater,
and sharper pointed seede, able to pierce the skinne, if one be not
warie of it: the roote is white and long, with some fibres at it, and
perisheth when it hath perfected his seede, and will spring of it owne
sowing many times, if the Winter be not too sharpe, otherwise (being
annuall) it must be sowne in the Spring of the yeare.
The Place.
Most of these Cranes bils are strangers vnto vs by nature,
but endenizond in our English Gardens. It hath beene reported
vnto mee by some of good credit, that the second or Crowfoot
Cranes bill hath been found naturally growing in England, but
yet I neuer saw it, although I haue seen many sorts of wilde
kindes in many places. Matthiolus saith that the first groweth
in Dalmatia and Illyria very plentifully. Camerarius, Clusius,
and others, that most of the rest grow in Germany, Bohemia,
Austria, &c. The last hath his place recorded in his title.
The Time.
All these Cranes bils doe for the most part flower in Aprill,
and May, and vntill the middle of Iune. The variable or stript
Cranes bill is vsually the latest of all the rest.
The Names.
The first is vsually called _Geranium tuberosum_, of some
_Geranium bulbosum_, of the likenesse of the roote vnto
a bulbe: It is without controuersie _Geranium primum_ of
Dioscorides. The second is called _Geranium Gratia Dei_, of
others, _Geranium cæruleum_. The blew Cranes bill Lobel calleth
it _Batrachoides_, because both leafe and flower are like vnto
a Crowfoote; and the affinity with the Cranes bils in the
seede causeth it rather to be referred to them then to the
Crowfeete. The stript Cranes bill is called by some _Geranium
Romanum_. The last sauing one is called _Geranium Hæmatodes_,
or _Sanguineum_, of Lobel _Geranium Gruinale Hæmatodes supinum
radice repente_. In English it may be called after the Greek
and Latine, The bloudy Cranes bill, but I rather call it, The
Rose Cranes bill, because the flowers are as large as single
Roses, or as the Rose Campion. Some of them are called in many
places of England Bassinets.
The Vertues.
All the kindes of Cranes bils are accounted great wound herbes,
and effectuall to stay bleedings, yet some more than others.
The Emperickes of Germanie, as Camerarius saith, extoll it
wonderfully, for a singular remedie against the Stone, both in
the reines and bladder.
CHAP. XXXI.
_Sanicula guttata maior._ Spotted Sanicle.
Hauing long debated with my selfe, where to place this & the other
plants that follow in the two next Chapters, I haue thought it not
amisse for this worke to set them downe here, both before the Beares
eares, which are kindes of Sanicle, as the best Authors doe hold, and
after the Cranes bils, both for some qualities somewhat resembling
them, and for some affinity of the flowers with the former.
The spotted Sanicle hath many small round leaues, bluntly endented
about the edges, somewhat like vnto the leaues of our white Saxifrage,
of a full greene colour aboue, and whitish hairy, and somewhat reddish
withall vnderneath: the stalkes are set here and there with the like
leaues, rising a foote and a halfe high or more, very much diuided at
the toppe into sundry small branches, bearing many very small white
flowers, consisting of fiue small leaues, wherein are many small red
spots to be seene, as small as pins points, of a pretty sweete sent,
almost like Hawthorne flowers, in the middle whereof are many small
threads compassing a head, which when it is ripe containeth small
blacke seede: the roote is scaly, or couered with a chaffie matter,
hauing many small white fibres vnderneath, whereby it is fastened in
the ground.
[Sidenote: _Minor non guttata._]
There is another of this kinde, like both in roote, leafe, and flower
to the former, the onely difference is, that this is lesser then the
former, and hath no spots in the flower, as the other hath.
[Sidenote: _Minus guttata._]
We haue also another smaller kinde then the last, both in leafe and
flower, the leaues whereof are smaller, but rounder, and more finely
snipt or indented about the edges, like the teeth of a fine sawe: the
stalke is little aboue a span high, hauing many small white flowers
spotted as the first, but with fewer spots.
The Place.
These growe in the shadowie Woods of the Alpes, in diuers
places, and with vs they more delight in the shade then the
sunne.
The Time.
All these Sanicles doe flower in May, and continue flowring
vntill Iune, and the seede soone ripeneth after: the rootes
abide all the Winter, with some leaues on them, springing a
fresh in the beginning of the yeare.
The Names.
The former two are called by Clusius _Sanicula montana_, and by
others _Sanicula guttata_: by Lobel _Geum Alpinum_. The third
or last hath been sent vs vnder the name of _Sanicula montana
altera minor_.
The Vertues.
The name imposed on these plants doe certainly assure vs of
their vertues, from the first founders, that they are great
healers, and from their taste, that they are great binders.
CHAP. XXXII.
_Cotyledon altera Matthioli._ Spotted Nauelwort.
This spotted Nauelwort, as many doe call it, hath many thicke small
leaues, not so broad as long, of a whitish greene colour, lying on the
ground in circles, after the manner of the heads of Houseleeke, and
dented about the edges; from the middle whereof sometimes (for it doth
not flower euery yeare in many places) ariseth vp a stalke, scarce a
foote high, beset with such like leaues as are belowe, but somewhat
longer: from the middle of the stalke vp to the top it brancheth forth
diuersly, with a leafe at euery ioynt, bearing three or foure flowers
on euery branch, consisting of fiue white leaues, spotted with small
red spots, like vnto the spotted Sanicle, but with fewer and greater
spots, hauing a yellowish circle or eye in the bottome of euery flower,
and many whitish threads with yellowish tips in it: the seede is small
and blacke, contained in small round heads: the roote is small, long,
and threadie, shooting out such heads of leaues, which abide all the
Winter, those that beare flower perishing.
_Cotyledon altera minor._ Small dented Nauelwort.
There is another like vnto that before described in most things, the
differences be these: It hath shorter leaues then the former, and
dented about the edges in the like manner: the flowers hereof are
white, but greater, made of six leaues, and most vsually without any
spots at all in them, some are seene to haue spots also: the heads or
seede vessels are more cornered then the former.
_Cotyledon altera flore rubro stellato._ Small red flowred Nauelwort.
This hath also many heads of leaues, but more open, which are longer,
greener, and sharper pointed then eyther of the former, somewhat
reddish also, and not dented about the edges, but yet a little rough
in handling: the stalke ariseth from among the leaues, being somewhat
reddish, and the leaues thereon are reddish pointed, diuided at the
toppe into many branches, with diuers flowers thereon, made of twelue
small long leaues, standing like a starre, of a reddish purple colour,
with many threads therein, set about the middle head, which is diuided
at the toppe into many small ends, like pods or hornes, containing
therein very small seede: the roote is small like the former.
_Sedum serratum flore rubente maculato._ The Princes Feather.
This kinde of Sengreene is composed of heads of larger, broader, and
thinner leaues then any of the former, of a sadder greene colour,
somewhat vneuenly endented about the edges, and not so close set
together, but spreading forth into seuerall heads like as the former
sorts doe, although not so plentifully; from the middle of diuers of
which heads rise vp brownish or reddish stalkes, set with smaller
leaues thereon to the middle thereof, and then brancheth forth into
seuerall sprigs, set with diuers small reddish flowers consisting of
fiue leaues a peece, the innerside of which are of a pale red, somewhat
whitish, spotted with many small bloud red spots, as small almost as
pins points, with some small threads in the middle, standing about a
small greene head, which turneth into the seede vessell, parted foure
wayes at the head, wherein is contained small blackish seede: the
rootes are small threads, which spread vnder the ground, and shoote vp
seuerall heads round about it.
The Place.
All these growe in Germany, Hungarie, Austria, the Alpes, and
other such like places, where they cleaue to the rocke it
selfe, that hath but a crust of earth on it to nourish them.
They will abide in Gardens reasonable well, if they be planted
in shadowie places, and not in the sun.
[Illustration:
1 _Sanicula guttata._ Spotted Sanicle.
2 _Cotyledon altera Matthioli._ Spotted Nauelwort.
3 _Cotyledon altera minor._ Small dented Nauelwort.
4 _Cotyledon altera flore rubro stellato._ Small red flowred
Nauelwort.
5 _Sedum serratum flore rubente maculato._ The Princes Feather.
6 _Soldanella Alpina._ Blew Moonwort.
]
The Time.
They flower for the most part in the end of May, and sometimes
sooner or later, as the yeare falleth out.
The Names.
The first is called by Matthiolus, _Cotyledon altera
Dioscoridis_, and _Vmbilicus alter_, but it is not the true
_Cotyledon altera_ of Dioscorides; for _Sedum vulgare maius_,
Our common Houseleeke, by the consent of the best moderne
Writers, is the true _Cotyledon altera_ of Dioscorides, or
_Vmbilicus Veneris alter_. I hold it rather to bee a kinde of
small Houseleeke, as the other two likewise are. The second is
called by some _Aizoum_ or _Sedum minus serratum_. The third
hath his name in his title. Wee doe call them Nauelworts in
English rather then Houseleekes, _Euphoniæ gratia_. The last
may be called dented Sengreene with reddish spotted flowers,
but some of our English Gentlewomen haue called it, The Princes
Feather, which although it be but a by-name, may well serve for
this plant to distinguish it, and whereby to be knowne.
The Vertues.
They are all held to be cold and moist, like vnto other
Houseleekes.
CHAP. XXXIII.
_Soldanella Alpina._ Mountaine Soldanella or blew Moonewort.
This beautifull plant hath many round and hard leaues, set vpon long
foote-stalkes, a little vneuenly cut about the edges, greene on the
vpperside, and of a grayish greene vnderneath, and sometime reddish
like the leaues of Sowbread, which because they doe somewhat resemble
the leaues of _Soldanella marina_, which is the Sea Bindweede, tooke
the name thereof: the stalkes are slender, small, round, and reddish,
about a span high, bearing foure or fiue flowers at the toppe, euery
one hanging downe their heads, like vnto a Bell flower, consisting but
of one leafe (as most of the Bindweeds doe) plated into fiue folds,
each of them ending in a long point, which maketh the flower seem to
haue fiue leaues, each whereof is deeply cut in on the edges, and
hauing a round greene head in the middle, with a pricke or pointell at
the end thereof: the flower is of a faire blew colour, sometimes deeper
or paler, or white, as nature listeth without any smell at all: the
middle head, after the flower is fallen, riseth to be a long round pod,
bearing that pricke it had at the end thereof, wherein is contained
small greenish seede: the roote hath many fibres shooting from a long
round head or roote.
The Place.
This groweth on the Alpes, which are couered with snow the
greatest part of the yeare, and will hardly abide transplanting.
The Time.
In the naturall places it flowreth not vntill the Summer
moneths, Iune, Iuly, and August, after the snow is melted from
the Hils, but being brought into Gardens, it flowreth in the
beginning of Aprill or thereabouts.
The Names.
This plant, by reason of the likenesse of leaues with
_Soldanella_, as was before said, is called by many
_Soldanella_, but yet is no Bindweede; and therefore I rather
call it in English a Mountaine Soldanella, then as Gerrard
doth, Mountaine Bindweede. It is likewise called by some,
_Lunaria minor cærulea_, The lesser blew Lunary or Moonwort,
and so I would rather haue it called.
The Vertues.
They that imposed the name of _Lunaria_ vpon this plant, seeme
to referre it to the wound or consolidating herbes, but because
I haue no further relation or experience, I can say no more
thereof vntill tryall hath taught it. Some also from the name
_Soldanella_, which is giuen it, because of the likenesse of
the leaues, haue vsed it to help the Dropsie, for which the Sea
plant is thought to be effectuall.
CHAP. XXXIIII.
_Auricula Vrsi._ Beares eares.
There are so many sundry and seuerall sorts of Beares eares, the
variety consisting as well in the differing colours of the flowers, as
the forme and colour of the leaues, that I shall not comprehend and set
downe vnto you all the diuersities by many, that are risen vp to those
that haue beene industrious in the sowing of the seedes of the seuerall
sorts of them; yet if you accept of these that I doe here offer vnto
you, I shall giue you the knowledge of others, as time, occasion, and
the view of them shall enable me. And because they are without all
question kinds of Cowslips, I haue set them downe before them in the
first place, as being of more beautie and greater respect, or at the
least of more rarity vnto vs. To dispose them therefore into order, I
shall ranke them vnder three principall colours, that is to say, Red or
Purple, White, and Yellow, and shew you the varieties of each of them
(for so many as are come to my knowledge) apart by themselues, and not
promiscuously as many others haue done.
1. _Auricula Vrsi flore purpureo._
Purple Beares eare, or The Murrey Cowslip.
This purple Beares eare or Cowslip hath many greene leaues, somewhat
long and smooth, narrow from the bottome of the leafe to the middle,
and broad from thence to the end, being round pointed, and somewhat
snipt or endented about the edges; in the middle of these leaues, and
sometimes at the sides also, doe spring round greene stalkes foure or
fiue fingers high, bearing at the top many flowers, the buds whereof,
before they are blowne, are of a very deepe purple colour, and being
open, are of a bright, but deepe purple, vsually called a Murrey
colour, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, cut in at the end as it were
into two, with a whitish ring or circle at the bottome of each flower,
standing in small greene cups, wherein after the flowers are fallen,
are contained very small heads, not rising to the height of the cups,
bearing a small pricke or pointell at the toppe of them, wherein is
little blackish seede: the roote hath many whitish strings fastened to
the maine long roote, which is very like vnto a Primrose or Cowslip
roote, as it is in all other parts besides.
2. _Auricula Vrsi purpurea absque orbe._
The murrey Cowslip without eyes.
There is another of this kinde, whose leafe is somewhat lesse, as the
flower is also, but of the same colour, and sometimes somewhat redder,
tending to a Scarlet, without any circle at the bottome of the flower,
in no other things differing from it.
3. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore tannetto._ Tawney Beares eares.
The leaues of this kinde haue a greater shew of mealinesse to be seene
in them, and not much smaller then the former, yet snipt or endented
about the ends like vnto them: the flowers are many, of the same
fashion with the former, but smaller, each whereof is of as deepe a
murrey or tawnie colour when it is blowne, as the buds of the former
are before they are blowne, hauing a white circle at the bottome of the
flower, and yellowish in the middle belowe the circle.
4. _Auricula Vrsi flore rubro saturo orbe luteo._
Deepe or bloud red Beares eares with eyes.
This kinde hath small and long greene leaues, nothing mealy, but snipt
about the edges, from the middle of the leaues forwards to the ends:
the flowers hereof are of a deepe red colour, tending to a bloud red,
with a deepe yellow circle, or rather bottome in the middle.
[Sidenote: _Auricula Vrsi flore rubro saturo absque orbe._]
There is another of this kinde, whose leaues are somewhat mealy, and
smaller then any (that I haue seene) that haue mealy leaues: the
flowers are of the same deepe red colour with the last described, yet
hath no circle or bottome of any other colour at all.
5. _Auricula Vrsi flore purpuro cæruleo._
The Violet coloured Beares eare.
We haue another, whose leaues are somewhat mealy and large; the flowers
whereof are of a paler purple then the first, somewhat tending to a
blew.
6. _Auricula Vrsi flore obsoleto magno._
The Spaniards blush Beares eare.
This great Beares eare hath as large leaues as any other of this
kindred whatsoeuer, and whitish or mealy withall, somewhat snipt
about the edges, as many other of them are: the flowers stand at the
toppe of a strong and tall stalke, larger then any of the other that
I haue seene, being of a duskie blush colour, resembling the blush of
a Spaniard, whose tawney skinne cannot declare so pure a blush as the
English can; and therefore I haue called it the Spaniards blush.
7. _Auricula Vrsi flore rubello._ Scarlet or light red Beares eares.
The leaues of this kinde are very like the leaues of the first purple
kinde, but that they are not so thicke; of a little paler greene
colour, and little or nothing snipt about the edges: the flowers are
of a bright, but pale reddish colour, not halfe so deepe as the two
last with white circles in the bottomes of them, in other things this
differeth not from others.
8. _Auricula Vrsi roseo colore._ The Rose coloured Beares eare.
We haue another, whose leafe is a little mealy, almost as large as any
of the former, whose flowers are of a light red colour, very neare the
colour of an ordinary Damaske Rose, with a white eye at the bottome.
[Illustration:
1 _Auricula Vrsi flore purpureo._ Purple Cowslips or Beares eares.
2 _Auricula Vrsi flore tannetto._ Tawney Beares eare.
3 _Auricula Vrsi flore & folio Boraginis._ Blew Beares eares with
Borage leaues.
4 _Auricula Vrsi flore carneo._ Blush Beares eare.
5 _Auricula Vrsi maxima lutea flore eleganti._ The greatest faire
yellow Beares eares with eyes.
6 _Auricula Vrsi altera flore luteo._ The yellow Beares eare.
7 _Auricula Vrsi crinis coloris siue flore fusco._ The haire
coloured Beares eare.
8 _Cortusa Matthioli._ Beares eare Sanicle.
]
9. _Auricula Vrsi flore cæruleo folio Boraginis._
Blew Beares eares with Borage leaues.
This plant is referred to the kindred or family of the Beares eares,
onely for the forme of the flower sake, which euen therein it doth not
assimilate to the halfe; but because it hath passed others with that
title, I am content to insert it here, to giue you the knowledge
thereof, and rather to satisfie others then my selfe with the place
thereof: the description whereof is as followeth: It hath diuers broad
rough hairy leaues spread vpon the ground, somewhat like vnto the
leaues of Borage for the roughnesse, but not for the largenesse; the
leaues hereof being somewhat rent in some places at the edges: from
among these leaues rise vp one, or two, or more brownish, round, and
hairy stalkes, a span high or thereabouts, bearing at the toppes three
or foure flowers a peece, consisting of fiue large pointed leaues, of a
faire blew or light azur colour, with some small yellow threads in the
middle, standing in small greene cups: the roote is long and brownish,
hauing many small fibres annexed vnto it.
10. _Auricula Vrsi maior flore albo._ The great white Beares eare.
This white Beares eare hath many faire whitish greene leaues, somewhat
paler then the leaues of any of the kindes of Beares eares, and a
little snipt about the ends, as manie other are: among these leaues
rise vp stalkes foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe many
flowers like vnto the small yellow Beares eare hereafter set downe,
of a pale whitish colour, tending to yellow at the first opening of
the flower, which after two or three dayes change into a faire white
colour, and so continue all the while it flowreth: the roote is like
the purple kinde, as all or most of the rest are, or very little
differing.
11. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore albo._ The lesser white Beares eare.
The lesser Beares eare hath smaller leaues, of a little darker green
colour: the stalke and flowers are likewise lesser then the former, and
haue no shew of yellownesse at all, eyther in budde or flower, but is
pure white, differing not in other things from the rest.
12. _Auricula Vrsi maxima lutea flore eleganti._
The greatest faire yellow Beares eare with eyes.
This yellow Beares eare hath many faire large thicke leaues, somewhat
mealy or hoary vpon the greennesse, being larger then any other kinde,
except the sixth, and the next yellow that followeth, smooth about the
edges, and without any endenting at all: the stalke is great, round,
and not higher then in other of the former, but bearing manie more
flowers thereon then in any other kinde, to the number of thirty many
times, standing so round and close together, that they seeme to be a
Nosegay alone, of the same fashion with the former, but that the leaues
are shorter and rounder, yet with a notch in the middle like the rest,
of a faire yellow colour, neither very pale nor deepe, with a white
eye or circle in the bottome, about the middle of euery flower, which
giueth it the greater grace: the seede is of a blackish browne colour,
like vnto others, but contained in greater round heads then any other,
with a small pointell sticking in the middle: the roote is greater and
thicker then any other, with long strings or fibres like vnto the other
sorts, but greater.
13. _Auricula Vrsi maior lutea folio incano._
The greater yellow Beares eare.
This greater yellow Beares eare hath his leaues larger, and more mealy
or hoarie then the last, or any other of these kindes: the flowers are
not so many, but longer, and not so thicke thrusting together as the
first, but of a deeper yellow colour, without any eye or circle in the
middle.
14. _Auricula Vrsi maior flore pallido._
The great Straw coloured Beares eare.
This hath almost as mealy leaues as the last, but nothing so large;
the flowers are of a faire strawe colour, with a white circle at the
bottome of them, these three last haue no shew or shadow of any other
colour in any part of the edge, as some others that follow haue.
15. _Auricula Vrsi minor flore pallente._
The lesser straw coloured Beares eare.
We haue another, whose leafe is lesse mealy, or rather pale green,
and a little mealy withall; the flowers whereof are of a paler yellow
colour then the last, and beareth almost as many vpon a stalke as the
first great yellow.
16. _Auricula Vrsi minor lutea._ The lesser yellow Beares eares.
The leaues of this Beares eare are nothing so large as either of the
three former yellow kindes, but rather of the bignesse of the first
white kinde, but yet a little larger, thicker, and longer then it,
hauing vnder the greennesse a small shew of mealinesse, and somewhat
snipt about the edges: the flowers are of a pale yellow colour, with
a little white bottome in them: the seed and rootes are like vnto the
other kindes.
17. _Auricula Vrsi flore flauo._
The deepe yellow or Cowslip Beares eare.
This kinde hath somewhat larger leaues then the last, of a yellowish
greene colour, without any mealinesse on them, or endenting about the
edges, but smooth and whole: the flowers are not larger but longer, and
not laide open so fully as the former, but of as deepe a yellow colour
as any Cowslip almost, without any circle in the bottome: neither of
these two last haue any shew of other colour then yellow in them,
sauing the white in the eye.
18. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor prima siue flore rubescente._
The blush Beares eare.
The blush Beares eare hath his leaues as large, and as hoary or mealy
as the third greater yellow, or straw coloured Beares eare; among
which riseth vp a stalke about foure inches high, bearing from six
to twelue, or more faire flowers, somewhat larger then the smaller
yellow Beares eare before described, hauing the ground of the flower
of a darke or dunne yellow colour, shadowed ouer a little with a shew
of light purple, which therefore we call a blush colour, the edges of
the flower being tipt with a little deeper shew of that purple colour,
the bottome of the flower, abiding wholly yellow, without any circle,
and is of very great beauty, which hath caused me to place it in the
forefront of the variable coloured Beares eares. And although some
might thinke it should be placed among the first ranke of Beares eares,
because it is of a blush colour, yet seeing it is assuredly gained from
some of the yellow kindes by sowing the seede, as many other sorts are,
as may be seene plainly in the ground of the flower, which is yellow,
and but shadowed ouer with purple, yet more then any of the rest that
follow; I thinke I haue giuen it his right place: let others of skill &
experience be iudges herein.
19. _Auricula Vrsi crinis coloris._ Haire coloured Beares eares.
The leaues of this kinde are more mealy like then the last blush kinde,
but somewhat longer and larger, and snipt about the edges in the same
manner, from the middle of the leafe forwards: the flower is vsually of
a fine light browne yellow colour, which wee doe vsually call an Haire
colour, and sometimes browner, the edges of the flower haue a shew or
shadow of a light purple or blush about them, but more on the outside
then on the inside.
20. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor lutea._
The yellow variable Beares eare.
This variable Beares eare hath his greene leaues somewhat like vnto the
deepe yellow, or Cowslip Beares eare before described, but somewhat of
a fresher greene, more shining and smaller, and snipt about the edges
towards the ends, as many of those before are: the flowers are of a
faire yellow colour, much laid open when it is full blowne, that it
seemeth almost flat, dasht about the edges onely with purple, being
more yellow in the bottome of the flower, then in any other part.
21. _Auricula Vrsi versicolor lutescente viridi flore._
The variable greene Beares eare.
This kinde of Beares eare hath greene leaues, very like vnto the last
described, and snipt in the like manner about the edges, but in this
it differeth, that his leaues do turne or fold themselues a little
backwards: the flowers are of a yellowish greene colour, more closed
then the former, hauing purplish edges, especially after they haue
stood blowne some time, and haue little or none at the first opening:
these haue no circles at all in them.
Many other varieties are to be found, with those that are curious
conseruers of these delights of nature, either naturally growing on the
mountaines in seuerall places, from whence they (being searched out by
diuers) haue been taken and brought, or else raised from the seede of
some of them, as it is more probable: for seuerall varieties haue beene
obserued (and no doubt many of these before specified) to bee gotten
by sowing of the seedes, euery yeare lightly shewing a diuersity, not
obserued before, either in the leafe, diuers from that from whence it
was taken, or in the flowers. I haue onely set downe those that haue
come vnder mine owne view, and not any by relation, euen as I doe with
all or most of the things contained in this worke.
The Place.
Many of these goodly plants growe naturally on mountaines,
especially the Alpes, in diuers places; for some kindes that
growe in some places, doe not in others, but farre distant one
from the other. There hath likewise some beene found on the
Pyrenæan mountaines, but that kinde with the blew flower and
Borage leafe, hath beene gathered on the mountaines in Spaine,
and on the Pyrenæans next vnto Spaine.
The Time.
They all flower in Aprill and May, and the seede is ripe in
the end of Iune, or beginning of Iuly, and sometimes they will
flower againe in the end of Summer, or in Autumne, if the yeare
proue temperate, moist, and rainie.
The Names.
It is very probable, that none of these plants were euer knowne
vnto the ancient Writers, because we cannot be assured, that
they may be truely referred vnto any plant that they name,
vnlesse we beleeue Fabius Columna, that it should be _Alisma_
of Dioscorides, for thereunto hee doth referre it. Diuers of
the later Writers haue giuen vnto them diuers names, euery one
according to his owne conceit. For Gesner calleth it _Lunaria
arthritica_, and _Paralytica Alpina_. Matthiolus accounteth it
to bee of the kindred of the Sanicles, and saith, that in his
time it was called by diuers Herbarists, _Auricula Vrsi_, which
name hath since bin receiued as most vsuall. We in English call
them Beares eares, according to the Latine, or as they are
called by diuers women, French Cowslips; they may be called
Mountaine Cowslips, if you will, for to distinguish betweene
them and other Cowslips, whereof these are seuerall kindes.
_Sanicula Alpina siue Cortusa Matthioli._ Beares eare Sanicle.
I cannot chuse but insert this delicate plant in the end of the Beares
eares, for that it is of so neare affinity, although it differ much in
the forme of the leaues, the description whereof is in this manner:
The leaues that spring vp first are much crumpled, and as it were
folded together, which afterwards open themselues into faire, broad,
and roundish leaues, somewhat rough or hairy, not onely cut into fine
diuisions, but somewhat notched also about the edges, of a darke
greene colour on the vpperside, and more whitish greene vnderneath;
amongst these leaues riseth vp one or two naked round stalkes, fiue or
six inches high, bearing at the toppes diuers small flowers, somewhat
sweete, like vnto the first purple Beares eare, hanging downe their
heads, consisting of fiue small pointed leaues a peece, of a darke
reddish purple colour, with a white circle or bottome in the middle,
and some small threads therein: after the flowers are past, there
come small round heads, somewhat longer then any of the Beares eares,
standing vpright vpon their small foot-stalkes, wherein is contained
small round and blackish seede: the roote consisteth of a thicke tuft
of small whitish threads, rather then rootes, much enterlaced one among
another: the leaues of this plant dye downe euery yeare, and spring vp
a new in the beginning of the yeare, whereas all the Beares eares doe
hold their leaues greene all the Winter, especially the middlemost,
which stand like a close head, the outermost for the most part
perishing after seed time.
The Place.
This groweth in many shadowie Woods both of Italy and Germany;
for both Clusius hath described it, finding it in the Woods of
Austria and Stiria; and Matthiolus setteth it downe, hauing
receiued it from Anthonius Cortusus, who was President of
the Garden at Padua, and found it in the woody mountaines of
Vicenza, neare vnto Villestagna; whereon (as Matthiolus saith)
there is found both with white flowers as well as with blew,
but such with white flowers or blew we neuer could see or heare
further of.
The Time.
It flowreth much about the time of the Beares eares; or rather
a little later, and the seede is ripe with them.
The Names.
Clusius calleth it _Sanicula montana_, and _Sanicula Alpina_,
and referreth it to the _Auricula Vrsi_, or Beares eare, which
it doth most nearly resemble: but Matthiolus referreth it to
the _Cariophyllata_ or _Auens_, making it to be of that tribe
or family, and calleth it _Cortusa_ of him that first sent it
him. Wee may call it eyther _Cortusa_, as for the most part all
Herbarists doe, or Beares eare Sanicle as Gerrard doth.
The Vertues.
All the sorts of Beares eares are Cephalicall, that is,
conducing helpe for the paines in the head, and for the
giddinesse thereof, which may happen, eyther by the sight
of steepe places subiect to danger, or otherwise. They are
accounted also to be helping for the Palsey, and shaking of the
ioynts; and also as a Sanicle or wound-herbe. The leaues of
the _Cortusa_ taste a little hot, and if one of them bee laide
whole, without bruising, on the cheeke of any tender skind
woman, it will raise an orient red colour, as if some _fucus_
had beene laide thereon, which will passe away without any
manner of harme, or marke where it lay: This is Cortusus his
obseruation Camerarius in his _Hortus Medicus_ saith, that an
oyle is made thereof, that is admirable for to cure wounds.
CHAP. XXXV.
_Primula veris & Paralysis._ Primroses and Cowslips.
We haue so great variety of Primroses and Cowslips of our owne Country
breeding, that strangers being much delighted with them, haue beene
often furnished into diuers Countries, to their good content: And
that I may set them downe in some methodicall manner, as I haue done
other things, I will first set downe all the sorts of those we call
Primroses, both single and double, and afterwards the Cowslips with
their diuersities, in as ample manner as my knowledge can direct me.
And yet I know, that the name of _Primula veris_ or Primrose, is
indifferently conferred vpon those that I distinguish for _Paralyses_
or Cowslips. I doe therefore for your better vnderstanding of my
distinction betweene Primroses and Cowslips, call those onely Primroses
that carry but one flower vpon a stalke, be they single or double,
except that of Master Hesket, and that with double flowers many vpon
a stalke, set out in Gerards Herball, which is his onely, not found
(as I thinke) _in rerum natura_, I am sure, such a one I could neuer
heare of: And those Cowslips, that beare many flowers vpon a stalke
together constantly, be they single or double also. I might otherwise
distinguish them also by the leafe; that all the Primroses beare their
long and large broad yellowish greene leaues, without stalkes most
vsually; and all the Cowslips haue small stalkes vnder the leaues,
which are smaller, and of a darker greene, as vsually, but that this
distinction is neither so certaine and generall, nor so well knowne.
1. _Primula veris flore albo._ The single white Primrose.
The Primrose that groweth vnder euery bush or hedge, in all or most
of the Woods, Groues, and Orchards of this Kingdome, I may well leaue
to his wilde habitation, being not so fit for a Garden, and so well
knowne, that I meane not to giue you any further relation thereof: But
we haue a kinde hereof which is somewhat smaller, and beareth milke
white flowers, without any shew of yellownesse in them, and is more
vsually brought into Gardens for the rarity, and differeth not from the
wilde or ordinary kinde, either in roote or leafe, or any thing else,
yet hauing those yellow spots, but smaller, and not so deepe, as are in
the other wilde kinde.
2. _Primula veris flore viridi simplici._ The single greene Primrose.
The single greene Primrose hath his leaues very like vnto the greater
double Primrose, but smaller, and of a sadder greene colour: the
flowers stand seuerally vpon long foot-stalkes, as the first single
kinde doth, but larger then they, and more laide open, of the same,
or very neare the same yellowish greene colour that the huske is of,
so that at the first opening, the huske and the flower seeme to make
one double greene flower, which afterwards separating themselues, the
single flower groweth aboue the huske, and spreadeth it selfe open much
more then any other single Primrose doth, growing in the end to be of a
paler greene colour.
3. _Primula veris flore viridante & albo simplici._
The single greene and white Primrose.
The leaues of this differ in a manner nothing from the former, neither
doth the flower but only in this, that out of the large yellowish green
huskes, which contain the flowers of the former, there commeth forth
out of the middle of each of them either a small peece of a whitish
flower, or else a larger, sometimes making vp a whole flower, like an
ordinary Primrose.
[Illustration:
1 _Primula veris flore albo._ The white Primrose.
2 _Primula veris flore viridi & albo simplici._ The green and white
Primrose.
3 _Primula veris flore viridi duplici._ The double green Primrose.
4 _Primula veris Hesketi._ Master Heskets double Primrose.
5 _Primula veris flore pleno vulgaris._ The ordinary double
Primrose.
6 _Paralysis veris flore viridante simplici._ The single green
Cowslip.
7 _Paralysis flore geminato odorato._ Double Cowslips or hose in
hose.
8 _Paralysis inodora flore geminato._ Double Oxelips hose in hose.
9 _Paralysis hortensis flore & calice crispo._ Curld Cowslips or
Gaskins.
10 _Paralysis minor angustifolia flore rubro._ Red Birds eyen.
11 _Paralysis hortensis flore pleno vulgaris._ Double Paigles.
12 _Paralysis fatuo._ The foolish Cowslip or Iacke an Apes on horse
backe.
13 _Paralysis flore viridi roseo calamistrato._ The double greene
feathered Cowslip.
]
4. _Primula veris flore viridi duplici._ The double greene Primrose.
This double Primrose is in his leaues so like the former single greene
kindes, that the one cannot be knowne from the other vntill it come
to flower, and then it beareth vpon euery stalke a double green flower,
of a little deeper green colour then the flower of the former single
kinde consisting but of two rowes of short leaues most vsually, and
both of an equall height aboue the huske, abiding a pretty time in
flower, especially if it stand in any shadowed place, or where the Sun
may come but a while vnto it.
5. _Primula veris Hesketi flore multiplici separatim diviso._
Master Heskets double Primrose.
Master Heskets double Primrose is very like vnto the small double
Primrose, both in leafe, roote, and height of growing, the stalke not
rising much higher then it, but bearing flowers in a farre different
manner; for this beareth not only single flowers vpon seuerall stalkes,
but sometimes two or three single flowers vpon one stalk, and also at
the same time a bigger stalke, and somewhat higher, hauing one greene
huske at the toppe thereof, sometimes broken on the one side, and
sometimes whole, in the middle whereof standeth sometimes diuers single
flowers, thrust together, euery flower to be seene in his proper forme,
and sometimes there appeare with some whole flowers others that are but
parts of flowers, as if the flowers were broken in peeces, and thrust
into one huske, the leaues of the flowers (being of a white or pale
Primrose Colour, but a little deeper) seldome rising aboue the height
of the very huske it selfe; and sometimes, as I haue obserued in this
plant, it will haue vpon the same stalke, that beareth such flowers
as I haue here described vnto you, a small flower or two, making the
stalke seeme branched into many flowers, whereby you may perceiue, that
it will vary into many formes, not abiding constant in any yeare, as
all the other sorts doe.
6. _Primula hortensis flore pleno vulgaris._
The ordinary double Primrose.
The leaues of this Primrose are very large, and like vnto the single
kind, but somewhat larger, because it growth in gardens: the flowers
doe stand euery one seuerally vpon slender long footestalkes, as the
single kinde doth, in greenish huskes of a pale yellow colour, like
vnto the field Primrose, but very thicke and double, and of the same
sweete sent with them.
7. _Primula veris flore duplici._ The small double Primrose.
This Primrose is both in leafe, roote, and flower, altogether like
vnto the last double Primrose, but that it is smaller in all things;
for the flower riseth not aboue two or three fingers high, and but
twice double, that is, with two rowes of leaues, yet of the very same
Primrose colour that the former is of.
8. _Paralysis vulgaris pratensis flore flauo simplici odorato._
The Common field Cowslip.
The common fielde Cowslip I might well forbeare to set downe, being
so plentifull in the fields: but because many take delight in it, and
plant it in their gardens, I will giue you the description of it here.
It hath diuers green leaues, very like vnto the wilde Primrose, but
shorter, rounder, stiffer, rougher, more crumpled about the edges, and
of a sadder greene colour, euery one standing vpon his stalke, which
is an inch or two long: among the leaues rise vp diuers round stalkes,
a foote or more high, bearing at the toppe many faire yellow single
flowers, with spots of a deeper yellow, at the bottome of each leafe,
smelling very sweete. The rootes are like to the other Primroses,
hauing many fibres annexed to the great roote.
9. _Paralysis altera odorata flore pallido polyanthos._
The Primrose Cowslip.
The leaues of this Cowslip are larger then the ordinary fielde Cowslip,
and of a darke yellowish greene colour; the flowers are many, standing
together, vpon the toppes of the stalkes, to the number of thirty
sometimes vpon one stalke, as I haue counted them in mine owne Garden,
and sometimes more, euery one hauing a longer foote stalke then
the former, and of as pale a yellowish colour almost as the fielde
Primrose, with yellow spots at the bottome of the leaues, as the
ordinary hath, and of as sweet a sent.
10. _Paralysis flore viridante simplici._ The single greene Cowslip.
There is little difference in leafe or roote of this from the first
Cowslip, the chiefest varietie in this kinde is this, that the leaues
are somewhat greener, and the flowers being in all respects like in
forme vnto the first kinde, but somewhat larger, are of the same colour
with the greene huskes, or rather a little yellower, and of a very
small sent; in all other things I finde no diuersitie, but that it
standeth much longer in flower before it fadeth, especially if it stand
out of the Sunne.
11. _Paralysis flore & calice crispo._
Curl’d Cowslips or Gallegaskins.
There is another kinde, whose flowers are folded or crumpled at the
edges, and the huskes of the flowers bigger than any of the former,
more swelling out in the middle, as it were ribbes, and crumpled on the
sides of the huskes, which doe somewhat resemble mens hose that they
did weare, and tooke the name of Gallegaskins from thence.
12. _Paralysis flore geminato odorato._
Double Cowslips one within another, or Hose in Hose.
The only difference of this kinde from the ordinary field Cowslip is,
that it beareth one single flower out of another, which is as a greene
huske, of the like sent that the first hath, or somewhat weaker.
13. _Paralysis flore flauo simplici inodoro absque calicibus._
Single Oxe lippes.
This kinde of Cowslip hath leaues much like the ordinary kinde, but
somewhat smaller: the flowers are yellow like the Cowslip, but smaller,
standing many vpon a stalke, but bare or naked, that is, without any
huske to containe them, hauing but little or no sent at all; not
differing in any thing else from the ordinary Cowslip.
14. _Paralysis flore geminato inodora._ Double Oxelips Hose in Hose.
As the former double Cowslip had his flowers one within another, in the
very like manner hath this kinde of Cowslip or Oxelippe, sauing that
this hath no huske to containe them, no more then the former single
Oxelippe hath, standing bare or naked, of the very same bignesse each
of them, and of the same deepe yellow colour with it, hauing as small a
sent as the former likewise.
[Sidenote: _Flore pallidiora._]
Wee haue another of this kinde, whose leaues are somewhat larger, and
so are the flowers also, but of a paler yellow colour.
15. _Paralysis inodora calicibus dissectis._
Oxelips with iagged huskes.
This kinde differeth not from the first Oxelip in the smalnesse of the
greene leaues, but in the flower, which standing many together on a
reasonable high stalke, and being very small and yellow, scarce opening
themselues or layde abroade as it, hath a greene huske vnder each
flower, but diuided into sixe seuerall small long peeces.
16. _Paralysis flore fatuo._
The Franticke, or Foolish Cowslip: Or Iacke an apes on horse backe.
Wee haue in our gardens another kinde, not much differing in leaues
from the former Cowslip, and is called Fantasticke or Foolish, because
it beareth at the toppe of the stalke a bush or tuft of small long
greene leaues, with some yellow leaues, as it were peeces of flowers
broken, and standing among the greene leaues. And sometimes some
stalkes among those greene leaues at the toppe (which are a little
larger then when it hath but broken peeces of flowers) doe carry whole
flowers in huskes like the single kinde.
17. _Paralysis minor flore rubro._ Red Birds eyes.
This little Cowslippe (which will hardly endure in our gardens, for
all the care and industrie we can vse to keepe it) hath all the
Winter long, and vntill the Spring begin to come on, his leaues so
closed together, that it seemeth a small white head of leaues, which
afterwards opening it selfe, spreadeth round vpon the ground, and
hath small long and narrow leaues, snipt about the edges, of a pale
greene colour on the vpperside, & very white or mealy vnderneath,
among these leaues rise vp one or two stalks, small & hoary, halfe a
foot high, bearing at the top a bush or tuft of much smaller flowers,
standing vpon short foot stalkes, somewhat like vnto Cowslips, but more
like vnto the Beares eares, of a fine reddish purple colour, in some
deeper, in others paler, with a yellowish circle in the bottomes of the
flowers, like vnto many of the Beares eares, of a faint or small sent:
the seede is smaller than in any of the former kindes, and so are the
rootes likewise, being small, white and threddy.
18. _Paralysis minor flore albo._ White Birds eyes.
This kinde differeth very little or nothing from the former, sauing
that it seemeth a little larger both in leafe and flower, and that the
flowers hereof are wholly white, without any great appearance of any
circle in the bottome of them, vnlesse it be well obserued, or at least
being nothing so conspicuous, as in the former.
[Sidenote: _Flore geminato._]
These two kindes haue sometimes, but very seldome, from among the
middle of the flowers on the stalke, sent out another small stalke,
bearing flowers thereon likewise.
19. _Paralysis hortensis flore pleno._ Double Paigles or Cowslips.
The double Paigle or Cowslip hath smaller and darker greene leaues
then the single kinde hath, and longer stalkes also whereon the leaues
doe stand: it beareth diuers flowers vpon a stalke, but not so many as
the single kinde, euery one whereof is of a deeper and fairer yellow
colour then any of the former, standing not much aboue the brimmes of
the huskes that hold them, consisting of two or three rowes of leaues
set round together, which maketh it shew very thicke and double, of a
prettie small sent, but not heady.
20. _Paralysis flore viridante pleno._ Double greene Cowslips.
This double greene Cowslip is so like vnto the single greene kinde
formerly expressed, that vntill they be neare flowring, they can hardly
be distinguished; but when it is in flower, it hath large double
flowers, of the same yellowish greene colour with the single, and more
laid open then the former double Paigle.
21. _Paralysis flore viridante siue calamistrato._
The greene Rose Cowslip, or double greene feathered Cowslip.
There is small difference in the leaues of this double kinde from
the last, but that they are not of so darke a greene: the chiefest
difference consisteth in the flowers, which are many, standing together
at the toppes of the stalkes, but farre differing from all other of
these kindes: for euery flower standing vpon his owne stalke, is
composed of many very small and narrow leaues, without any huske
to containe them, but spreading open like a little Rose, of a pale
yellowish greene colour, and without any sent at all, abiding in
flower, especially if it stand in a shadowie place out of the sunne,
aboue two moneths, almost in as perfect beauty, as in the first weeke.
The Place.
All those kindes as they haue been found wilde, growing in
diuers places in England, so they haue been transplanted into
Gardens, to be there nourished for the delight of their louers,
where they all abide, and grow fairer then in their naturall
places, except the small Birds eyes, which will (as I said)
hardly abide any culture, but groweth plentifully in all the
North Countries, in their squally or wet grounds.
The Time.
These doe all flower in the Spring of the yeare, some earlier
and some later, and some in the midst of Winter, as they are
defended from the colds and frosts, and the mildnesse of the
time will permit; yet the Cowslips doe alwayes flower later
then the Primroses, and both the single and double greene
Cowslips latest, as I said in their descriptions, and abide
much after all the rest.
The Names.
All these plants are called most vsually in Latine, _Primulæ
veris_, _Primulæ pratenses_, and _Primulæ siluarum_, because
they shew by their flowring the new Spring to bee comming on,
they being as it were the first Embassadours thereof. They haue
also diuers other names, as _Herba Paralysis_, _Arthritica_,
_Herba Sancti Petri_, _Claues Sancti Petri_, _Verbasculum
odoratum_, _Lunaria arthritica_, _Phlomis_, _Alisma siluarum_,
and _Alismatis alterum genus_, as Fabius Columna calleth them.
The Birds eyes are called of Lobel in Latine, _Paralytica
Alpina_, _Sanicula angustifolia_, making a greater and a
lesser. Others call them _Sanicula angustifolia_, but generally
they are called _Primula veris minor_. I haue (as you see)
placed them with the Cowslips, putting a difference betweene
Primroses and Cowslips. And some haue distinguished them,
by calling the Cowslips, _Primula veris Elatior_, that is,
the Taller Primrose, and the other _Humilis_, Lowe or Dwarfe
Primroses. In English they haue in like manner diuers names,
according to seuerall Countries, as Primroses, Cowslips,
Oxelips, Palsieworts, and Petty Mulleins. The first kindes,
which are lower then the rest, are generally called by the name
of Primroses (as I thinke) throughout England. The others are
diuersly named; for in some Countries they call them Paigles
or Palsieworts, or Petty Mulleins, which are called Cowslips
in others. Those are vsually called Oxelips, whose flowers are
naked, or bare without huskes to containe them, being not so
sweete as the Cowslip, yet haue they some little sent, although
the Latine name doth make them to haue none. The Franticke,
Fantasticke, or Foolish Cowslip, in some places is called by
Country people, Iacke an Apes on horse-backe, which is an
vsuall name with them, giuen to many other plants, as Daisies,
Marigolds, &c. if they be strange or fantasticall, differing
in the forme from the ordinary kinde of the single ones. The
smallest are vsually called through all the North Country,
Birds eyen, because of the small yellow circle in the bottomes
of the flowers, resembling the eye of a bird.
The Vertues.
Primroses and Cowslips are in a manner wholly vsed in
Cephalicall diseases, either among other herbes or flowers,
or of themselues alone, to ease paines in the head, and
is accounted next vnto Betony, the best for that purpose.
Experience likewise hath shewed that they are profitable
both for the Palsie, and paines of the ioynts, euen as the
Beares eares are, which hath caused the name of _Arthritica_,
_Paralysis_, and _Paralytica_ to bee giuen them. The iuice of
the flowers is commended to cleanse the spots or marks of the
face, whereof some Gentlewomen haue found good experience.
CHAP. XXXVI.
_Pulmonaria._ Lungwort, or Cowslips of Ierusalem.
Although these plants are generally more vsed as Pot-herbes for the
Kitchen, then as flowers for delight, yet because they are both called
Cowslips, and are of like forme, but of much lesse beauty, I haue
ioyned them next vnto them, in a distinct Chapter by themselues, and so
may passe at this time.
1. _Pulmonaria maculosa._ Common spotted Cowslips of Ierusalem.
The Cowslip of Ierusalem hath many rough, large, and round leaues, but
pointed at the ends, standing vpon long foot-stalkes, spotted with many
round white spots on the vppersides of the sad greene or browne leaues,
and of a grayer greene vnderneath: among the leaues spring vp diuers
browne stalkes, a foote high, bearing many flowers at the toppe, very
neare resembling the flowers of Cowslips, being of a purple or reddish
colour while they are buds, and of a darke blewish colour when they
are blowne, standing in brownish greene huskes, and sometimes it hath
beene found with white flowers: when the flowers are past, there come
vp small round heads, containing blacke seed: the roote is composed of
many long and thicke blacke strings.
2. _Pulmonaria altera non maculosa._ Vnspotted Cowslips of Ierusalem.
The leaues of this other kinde are not much vnlike the former, being
rough as they are, but smaller, of a fairer greene colour aboue, and of
a whiter greene vnderneath, without any spots at all vpon the leaues:
the flowers also are like the former, and of the same colour, but a
little more branched vpon the stalkes then the former: the rootes also
are blacke like vnto them.
3. _Pulmonaria angustifolia._ Narrow leafed Cowslips of Ierusalem.
The leaues hereof are somewhat longer, but not so broad, and spotted
with whitish spots also as the former: the stalke hereof is set with
the like long hairy leaues, but smaller, being a foote high or better,
bearing at the toppe many flowers, standing in huskes like the first,
being somewhat reddish in the bud, and of a darke purplish blew colour
when they are blowne open: the seede is like the former, all of them
doe well resemble Buglosse and Comfrey in most parts, except the roote,
which is not like them, but stringie, like vnto Cowslips, yet blacke.
The Place.
The Cowslips of Ierusalem grow naturally in the Woods of
Germany, in diuers places, and the first kinde in England
also, found out by Iohn Goodier, a great searcher and louer of
plants, dwelling at Maple-durham in Hampshire.
The Time.
They flower for the most part very early, that is, in the
beginning of Aprill.
The Names.
They are generally called in Latine, _Pulmonaria_, and
_maculosa_, or _non maculosa_, is added for distinctions sake.
Of some it is called _Symphitum maculosum_, that is, spotted
Comfrey. In English it is diuersly called, as spotted Cowslips
of Ierusalem, Sage of Ierusalem, Sage of Bethlehem, Lungwort,
and spotted Comfrey, and it might bee as fitly called spotted
Buglosse, whereunto it is as like as vnto Comfrey, as I said
before.
The Vertues.
It is much commended of some, to bee singular good for vlcered
lungs, that are full of rotten matter. As also for them that
spit bloud, being boyled and drunke. It is of greatest vse for
the pot, being generally held to be good, both for the lungs
and the heart.
CHAP. XXXVII.
1. _Buglossum & Borrago._ Buglosse and Borage.
Although Borage and Buglosse might as fitly haue been placed, I
confesse, in the Kitchen Garden, in regard they are wholly in a manner
spent for Physicall properties, or for the Pot, yet because anciently
they haue been entertained into Gardens of pleasure, their flowers
hauing been in some respect; in that they haue alwaies been enterposed
among the flowers of womens needle-worke, I am more willing to giue
them place here, then thrust them into obscurity, and take such of
their tribe with them also as may fit for this place, either for beauty
or rarity.
The Garden Buglosse and Borage are so well knowne vnto all, that I
shall (I doubt) but spend time in waste to describe them; yet not
vsing to passe ouer any thing I name and appropriate to this Garden
so sleightly, they are thus to bee knowne: Buglosse hath many long,
narrow, hairy, or rough sad greene leaues, among which rise vp two
or three very high stalks, branched at the top, whereon stand many
blew flowers, consisting of fiue small round pointed leaues, with a
small pointell in the middle, which are very smooth, shining, and of a
reddish purple while they are buds, and not blowne open, which being
fallen, there groweth in the greene huske, wherein the flower stood,
three or foure roundish blacke seedes, hauing that thread or pointell
standing still in the middle of them: the roote is blacke without, and
whitish within, long, thicke, and full of slimie iuice (as the leaues
are also) and perisheth not euery yeare, as the roote of Borage doth.
2. _Borrago._ Borage.
Borage hath broader, shorter, greener, and rougher leaues then
Buglosse, the stalkes hereof are not so high, but branched into many
parts, whereon stand larger flowers, and more pointed at the end then
Buglosse, and of a paler blew colour for the most part (yet sometimes
the flowers are reddish, and sometimes pure white) each of the flowers
consisting of fiue leaues, standing in a round hairy whitish huske,
diuided into fiue parts, and haue a small vmbone of fiue blackish
threads in the middle, standing out pointed at the end, and broad
at the bottome: the seed is like the other: the root is thicker and
shorter then the roote of Buglosse, somewhat blackish without also, and
whitish within, and perisheth after seede time, but riseth of it owne
seede fallen, and springeth in the beginning of the yeare.
3. _Borrago semper virens._ Euerliuing Borage.
Euerliuing Borage hath many broad greene leaues, and somewhat rough,
more resembling Comfrey then Borage, yet not so large as either; the
stalkes are not so high as Borage, and haue many small blew flowers on
them, very like to the flowers of Buglosse for the forme, and Borage
for the colour; the rootes are blacke, thicker then either of them,
somewhat more spreading, and not perishing, hauing greene leaues all
the Winter long, and thereupon tooke his name.
4. _Anchusa._ Sea Buglosse or Alkanet.
The Sea Buglosse or Alkanet hath many long, rough, narrow, and darke
greene leaues, spread vpon the ground (yet some that growe by the
Sea side are rather hoarie and whitish) among these leaues riseth vp
a stalke, spread at the toppe into many branches, whereon stand the
flowers in tufts, like vnto the Garden Buglosse, or rather Comfrey, but
lesser; in some plants of a reddish blew colour, and in others more red
or purplish, and in others of a yellowish colour: after which come the
seedes, very like vnto Buglosse, but somewhat longer and paler: the
roote of most of them being transplanted, are somewhat blackish on the
outside, vntill the later end of Summer, and then become more red: for
those that grow wilde, will be then so red, that they will giue a very
deepe red colour to those that handle them, which being dryed keepe
that red colour, which is vsed to many purposes; the roote within being
white, and hauing no red colour at all.
5. _Limonium Rauwolfij._ Marsh Buglosse.
This Limonium (which I referre here to the kindes of Buglosse,
presuming it is the fittest place where to insert it) hath many long
narrow, and somewhat rough leaues lying vpon the ground, waued or
cut in on both sides, like an Indenture, somewhat like the leaues
of Ceterach or Miltwast, among which rise vp two or three stalkes,
somewhat rough also, and with thin skinnes like wings, indented on both
sides thereof also, like the leaues, hauing three small, long, rough,
and three square leaues at euery ioynt, where it brancheth forth; at
the toppe whereof stand many flowers vpon their foote stalkes, in such
a manner, as is not seene in any other plant, that I know; for although
that some of the small winged foot stalkes are shorter, and some
longer, standing as it were flatwise, or all on one side, and not round
like an vmbell, yet are they euen at the toppe, and not one higher than
another; each of which small foote stalkes doe beare foure or fiue
greenish heads or huskes, ioyned together, out of each of which doe
arise other pale or bleake blew stiffe huskes, as if they were flowers,
made as it were of parchment, which hold their colour after they
are dry a long time; and out of these huskes likewise, doe come (at
seuerall times one after another, and not all at one time or together)
white flowers, consisting of fiue small round leaues, with some white
threds in the middle: after these flowers are past, there come in their
places small long seede, inclosed in many huskes, many of those heads
being idle, not yeelding any goode seede, but chaffe, especially in out
Countrey, for the want of sufficient heate of the Sunne, as I take it:
the roote is small, long, and blackish on the outside, and perisheth at
the first approach of Winter.
The Place.
Borage and Buglosse grow onely in Gardens with vs, and so doth
the _Semper virens_, his originall being vnknowne vnto vs.
Alkanet or Sea Buglosse groweth neare the Sea, in many places
of France, and Spaine, and some of the kindes also in England.
But the Limonium or Marshe Buglosse groweth in Cales, and
Malacca in Spaine, and is found also in Syria, as Rauwolfius
relateth: and in other places also no doubt; for it hath beene
sent vs out of Italie, many yeares before eyther Guillaume Boel
found it in Cales, or Clusius in Malacca.
The Time.
Borage and Buglosse doe flower in Iune, and Iuly, and sometimes
sooner, and so doth the euer-liuing or neuer-dying Borage, but
not as Gerrard saith, flowring Winter and Summer, whereupon
it should take his name, but leaueth flowring in Autumne, and
abideth greene with his leaues all the Winter, flowring the
next Spring following. The other flower not vntill Iuly, and so
continue, especially the Marshe Buglosse vntill September bee
well spent, and then giueth seede, if early frosts ouertake it
not; for it seldome commeth to be ripe.
[Illustration:
1 _Pulmonaria latifolia maculosa._ Cowslips of Ierusalem.
2 _Pulmonaria angustifolia._ Narrow leafed Cowslips of Ierusalem.
3 _Borrago._ Borage.
4 _Borrago semper virens._ Euerliuing Borage.
5 _Anchusa._ Sea Buglosse or Alkanet.
6 _Limonium Rauwolfij._ Marsh Buglosse.
]
The Names.
Our ordinary Borage by the consent of all the best moderne
Writers, is the true _Buglossum_ of Dioscorides, and that our
Buglosse was vnknowne to the ancients. The _Borago semper
virens_, Lobel calleth _Buglossum semper virens_, that is,
Euer-liuing, or Greene Buglosse: but it more resembleth Borage
then Buglosse; yet because Buglosse abideth greene, to auoyde
that there should not be two _Buglossa semper virentia_, I
had rather call it Borage then Buglosse. Anchusa hath diuers
names, as Dioscorides setteth downe. And some doe call it
_Fucus herba_, from the Greeke word, because the roote giuing
so deepe a colour, was vsed to dye or paint the skinne. Others
call it _Buglossum Hispanicum_, in English Alkanet, and of some
Orchanet, after the French. Limonium was found by Leonhartus
Rauwolfius, neere vnto Ioppa, which he setteth downe in the
second Chapter of the third booke of his trauayles, and from
him first knowne to these parts: I haue, as you see, referred
it to the kindes of Buglosse, for that the flowers haue some
resemblance vnto them, although I know that _Limonium genuinum_
is referred to the Beetes. Let it therefore here finde a place
of residence, vntill you or I can finde a fitter; and call it
as you thinke best, eyther Limonium as Rauwolfius doth, or
Marshe Buglosse as I doe, or if you can adde a more proper
name, I shall not be offended.
The Vertues.
Borage and Buglosse are held to bee both temperate herbes,
beeing vsed both in the pot and in drinkes that are cordiall,
especially the flowers, which of Gentlewomen are candid for
comfitts. The Alkanet is drying, and held to be good for
wounds, and if a peece of the roote be put into a little oyle
of Peter or Petroleum, it giueth as deepe a colour to the oyle,
as the Hypericon doth or can to his oyle, and accounted to be
singular good for a cut or greene wound.
The Limonium hath no vse that wee know, more then for a Garden;
yet as Rauwolfius saith, the Syrians vse the leaues as sallats
at the Table.
CHAP. XXXVIII.
_Lychnis._ Campions.
There bee diuers sorts of Campions, as well tame as wilde, and although
some of them that I shall here entreate of, may peraduenture be found
wilde in our owne Countrey, yet in regard of their beautifull flowers,
they are to bee respected, and noursed vp with the rest, to furnish
a garden of pleasure; as for the wilde kindes, I will leaue them for
another discourse.
1. _Lychnis Coronaria rubra simplex._ The single red Rose Campion.
The single red Rose Campion hath diuers thicke, hoary, or woolly long
greene leaues, abiding greene all the winter, and in the end of the
spring or beginning of summer, shooteth forth two or three hard round
woolly stalkes, with some ioynts thereon, and at euery ioynt two such
like hoary greene leaues as those below, but smaller, diuersly branched
at the toppe, hauing one flower vpon each seuerall long foot stalke,
consisting of fiue leaues, somewhat broade and round pointed, of a
perfect red crimson colour, standing out of a hard long round huske,
ridged or crested in foure or fiue places; after the flowers are fallen
there come vp round hard heads, wherein is contained small blackish
seed: the roote is small, long and wooddy, with many fibres annexed
vnto it, and shooteth forth anew oftentimes, yet perisheth often also.
2. _Lychnis Coronaria alba simplex._ The white Rose Campion.
The white Rose Campion is in all things like the red, but in the colour
of the flower, which in this is of a pure white colour.
3. _Lychnis Coronaria albescens siue incarnata maculata & non
maculata._ The blush Rose Campion spotted and not spotted.
Like vnto the former also are these other sorts, hauing no other
difference to distinguish them, but the flowers, which are of a pale or
bleake whitish blush colour, especially about the brims, as if a very
little red were mixed with a great deale of white, the middle of the
flower being more white; the one being spotted all ouer the flower,
with small spots and streakes, the other not hauing any spot at all.
4. _Lychnis Coronaria rubra multiplex._ The double red Rose Campion.
The double red Rose Campion is in all respects like vnto the single red
kinde, but that this beareth double flowers, consisting of two or three
rowes of leaues at the most, which are not so large as the single, and
the whole plant is more tender, that is, more apt to perish, then any
of the single kindes.
5. _Lychnis Chalcedonica flore simplici miniato._
Single Nonesuch, or Flower of Bristow, or Constantinople.
This Campion of Constantinople hath many broad and long greene leaues,
among which rise vp sundry stiffe round hairy ioynted stalks three foot
high, with two leaues euery ioynt: the flowers stand at the toppes of
them, very many together, in a large tuft or vmbell, consisting of fiue
small long leaues, broade pointed, and notched-in in the middle, of a
bright red orenge colour, which being past, there come in their places
small hard whitish heads or seede vessels, containing blacke seede,
like vnto the seede of sweet Williams, and hauing but a small sent; the
roote is very stringie, fastening it selfe very strongly in the ground,
whereby it is much encreased.
[Sidenote: _Flore albo. Et carneo. Versicolor._]
Of the single kinde there is also two or three other sorts, differing
chiefly in the colour of the flowers. The one is pure white. Another
is of a blush colour wholly, without variation. And a third is very
variable; for at the first it is of a pale red, and after a while
groweth paler, vntill in the end it become almost fully white; and all
these diuersities of the flowers are sometimes to bee seene on one
stalke at one and the same time.
6. _Lychnis Chalcedonica flore miniato pleno._
Double Flower of Bristow, or Nonesuch.
This glorious flower being as rare as it is beautifull, is for rootes
beeing stringie, for leaues and stalkes being hairy and high, and for
the flowers growing in tufts, altogether like the first single kinde;
but herein consisteth the chiefest difference, that this beareth a
larger vmbell or tuft of flowers at the toppe of the stalke, euery
flower consisting of three or foure rowes of leaues, of a deeper orenge
colour then it, which addeth the more grace vnto it, but passeth
away without bearing seede, as most other double flowers doe, yet
recompenceth that defect with encrease from the roote.
7. _Lychnis plumaria siluestris simplex & multiplex._
The featherd wilde Campion single and double.
The leaues of this wilde Campion are somewhat like the ordinary white
wilde Campion, but not so large, or rather resembling the leaues of
sweete Williams, but that they grow not so close, nor so many together:
the stalkes haue smaller leaues at the ioynts then those belowe, and
branched at the toppe, with many pale, but bright red flowers, iagged
or cut in on the edges, like the feathered Pinke, whereof some haue
taken it to be a kinde, and some for a kinde of wilde William, but yet
is but a wilde Campion, as may be obserued, both by his huske that
beareth the flowers, and by the greyish roundish seede, being not of
the Family of Pinkes and Gillowers, but (as I said) of the Campions:
the roote is full of strings or fibres.
[Sidenote: _Flore pleno._]
The double kinde is very like vnto the single kinde, but that it is
lower and smaller, and the flowers very double.
8. _Lychnis siluestris flore pleno rubro._ Red Batchelours buttons.
The double wilde Campion (which of our Countrey Gentlewomen is called
Batchelours buttons) is very like both in rootes, leaues, stalkes, and
flowers vnto the ordinary wilde red Campion, but somewhat lesser, his
flowers are not iagged, but smooth, and very thicke and double, so that
most commonly it breaketh his short huske, wherein the flower standeth
on the one side, seldome hauing a whole huske, and are of a reddish
colour.
9. _Lychnis siluestris flore albo pleno._ White Batchelours buttons.
As the leaues of the former double Campion was like vnto the single
kinde that had red flowers, so this hath his leaues like vnto the
single white kinde, differing in no other thing from it, but in the
doublenesse of the flowers, which by reason of the multiplicity of
leaues in them thrusting forth together, breaketh his huskes wherein
the flowers doe stand, as the other doth, and hath scarce one flower in
many that is whole.
10. _Ocymoides arborea semper virens._ Strange Bassil Campion.
This Strange Campion (for thereunto it must bee referred) shooteth
forth many round, whitish, wooddy, but brittle stalkes, whereon stand
diuers long, and somewhat thicke leaues, set by couples, narrow at
the bottome, and broader toward the point, of a very faire greene and
shining colour, so that there is more beauty in the greene leaues,
which doe so alwaies abide, then in the flowers, which are of a pale
red or blush colour, consisting of fiue small long broad pointed
leaues, notched in the middle, which doe not lye close, but loosly as
it were hanging ouer the huskes: after the flowers are past, there come
heads that containe blackish seede: the roote is small, hard, white,
and threadie.
11. _Muscipula Lobelij siue Ben rubrum Monspeliensium._
Lobels Catch Flie.
I must needes insert this small plant, to finish this part of the
Campions, whereunto it belongeth, being a pretty toye to furnish and
decke out a Garden. It springeth vp (if it haue beene once sowne and
suffered to shed) in the later end of the yeare most commonly, or else
in the Spring with fiue or six small leaues, very like vnto the leaues
of Pinkes, and of the same grayish colour, but a little broader and
shorter, and when it beginneth to shoote vp for flower, it beareth
smaller leaues on the clammy or viscous stalkes (fit to hold any small
thing that lighteth on it); being broad at the bottome compassing them,
and standing two at a ioynt one against another: the toppes of the
stalkes are diuersly branched into seuerall parts, euery branch hauing
diuers small red flowers, not notched, but smooth, standing out of
small, long, round, stript huskes, which after the flowers are past,
containe small grayish seede: the roote is small, and perisheth after
it hath giuen seede; but riseth (as is before said) of its owne seede,
if it be suffered to shed.
[Illustration:
1 _Lychnis Coronaria simplex._ Single Rose Campion.
2 _Lychnis Coronaria rubra multiplex._ The double red Rose Campion.
3 _Lychnis Chalcedonica simplex._ Single None such, or flower of
Bristow.
4 _Lychnis Chalcedonica flore pleno._ Double None such, or flower of
Bristow.
5 _Lychnis plumaria multiplex._ Pleasant in sight.
6 _Lychnis siluestris flore pleno rubro._ Red Batchelours Buttons.
7 _Lychnis siluestris flore pleno albo._ White Batchelours Buttons.
8 _Muscipula Lobelij._ Lobels Catch Flie.
]
The Place.
The Rose Campions, Flowers of Bristow, or Nonesuch, the Bassil
Campion, and the Catch Flie, haue been sent vs from beyond
the Seas, and are onely noursed vp in Gardens with vs; the
other Campions that are double, haue been naturally so found
double wilde (for no art or industry of man, that euer I could
be assured of to be true, be it by neuer so many repetitions of
transplantations, and planeticall obseruations (as I haue said
in the beginning of this worke) could bring any flower, single
by nature, to become double, notwithstanding many affirmations
to that purpose, but whatsoeuer hath been found wilde to be
double, nature her selfe, and not art hath so produced it) and
being brought into Gardens, are there encreased by slipping,
and parting the roote, because they giue no seede.
The Time.
All of them doe flower in the Summer, yet none before May.
The Names.
The first kindes are called _Lychnides satiuæ_, and
_coronariæ_, in English generally Rose Campions. The next is
called _Lychnis Chalcedonica_, and _Byzantina_; in English,
of some Nonesuch, and of others Flower of Bristow, and after
the Latine, Flower of Constantinople, because it is thought
the seede was first brought from thence; but from whence the
double of this kinde came, we cannot tell. The names of the
others of this kinde, both single and double, are set downe
with their descriptions. The feathered Campions are called
_Armoraria pratensis_, and _Flos Cuculi_, and of Clusius and
others thought to be _Odontitis Plinij_. Some call them in
English Crowflowers, and Cuckowe-Flowers; and some call the
double hereof, The faire Maide of France. The Bassil Campions
were sent ouer among many other seedes out of Italy, by the
name of _Ocimoides arborea semper virens_. _Arborea_, because
the stalke is more wooddy and durable then other Campions: And
_semper virens_, because the leaues abide greene Winter and
Summer. Clusius calleth it _Lychnis semper virens_, because
it is certainly a Campion. The last is diuersly called of
Authors; Lobel calleth it _Muscipula_: Others _Armoraria
altera_: Dodonæus _Armerius flos quartus_. Clusius _Lychnis
siluestris altera_, in his Spanish obseruations, and _prima_
in his History of plants, and saith, the learned of Salmantica
in Spaine called it, _Ben rubrum_, as Lobel saith, they of
Mompelier doe also: and by that name I receiued it first out
of Italy. It hath the name of Catch Flie, of _Muscipula_ the
Latine word, because the stalkes in the hot Summer dayes haue a
certaine viscous or clammy humour vpon them, whereby it easily
holdeth (as I said before) whatsoeuer small thing, as Flies,
&c. lighteth vpon it.
The Vertues.
We know none in these dayes, that putteth any of these to any
Physicall vse, although some haue in former times.
CHAP. XXXIX.
_Keiri siue Leucoium luteum._ Wall-flowers, or Wall Gilloflowers.
There are two sorts of Wall-flowers, the one single, the other double,
and of each of them there is likewise some differences, as shall be
shewed in their description.
1. _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum simplex vulgare._
Common single Wall-flowers.
The common single Wall-flower which groweth wilde abroad, and yet is
brought into Gardens, hath sundry small, narrow, long, and darke greene
leaues, set without order vpon small round whitish wooddy stalkes,
which beare at the tops diuers single yellow flowers one aboue another,
euery one hauing foure leaues a peece, and of a very sweete sent: after
which come long pods, containing reddish seede: the roote is white,
hard and thready.
2. _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum simplex maius._
The great single Wall-flower.
There is another sort of single Wall-flower, whose leaues as well as
flowers are much larger then the former: the leaues being of a darker
and shining greene colour, and the flowers of a very deepe gold yellow
colour, and vsually broader then a twentie shilling peece of gold can
couer: the spike or toppe of flowers also much longer, and abiding
longer in flower, and much sweeter likewise in sent: the pods for seede
are thicker and shorter, with a small point at the end: this is slower
to encrease into branches, as also to be encreased by the branches,
and more tender to be preserued; for the hard frosts doe cause it to
perish, if it be not defended from them.
3. _Keiri simplex flore albo._ White Wall-flower.
This Wall-flower hath his leaues as greene as the great kinde, but
nothing so large: the flowers stand at the toppe, but not in so long
a spike, and consisteth of foure leaues, of a very white colour, not
much larger then the common kinde, and of a faint or weaker sent: the
pods are nothing so great as the former great one: this is more easie
to be propagated and encreased also, but yet will require some care in
defending it from the colds of the Winter.
4. _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum vulgare flore pleno._
Common double Wall-flowers.
This ordinary double Wall-flower is in leaues and stalke very like vnto
the first single kinde, but that the leaues hereof are not of so deepe
a greene colour: the flowers stand at the top of the stalkes one aboue
another, as it were a long spike, which flower by degrees, the lowest
first, and so vpwards, by which it is a long time in flowring, and is
very double, of a gold yellow colour, and very sweete.
5. _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum alterum flore pleno._
Pale double Wall-flowers.
Wee haue another sort of this kinde of double Wall-flower, whose double
flowers stand not spike-fashion as the former, but more open spread,
and doe all of them blowe open at one time almost, and not by degrees
as the other doth, and is of a paler yellow colour, not differing in
any thing else, except that the greene leaues hereof are of a little
paler greene then it.
6. _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum maius flore pleno ferrugineo._
Double red Wall-flowers.
We haue also another sort of double Wall-flower, whose leaues are as
greene, and almost as large as the great single yellow kinde, or full
as bigge as the leaues of the white Wall-flower: the flowers hereof are
not much larger then the ordinary, but are of a darker yellow colour
then the great single kinde, and of a more brownish or red colour on
the vnderside of the leaues, and is as it were striped.
7. _Keiri siue Leucoium maximum luteum flore pleno._
The greatest double yellow Wall-flower.
This great double Wall-flower is as yet a stranger in England, and
therefore what I here write is more vpon relation (which yet I beleeue
to be most true) then vpon sight and speculation. The leaues of this
Wall-flower are as greene and as large, if not larger then the great
single kinde: the flowers also are of the same deepe gold yellow colour
with it, but much larger then any of the former double kindes, and of
as sweet a sent as any, which addeth delight vnto beauty.
The Place.
The first single kind is often found growing vpon old wals of
Churches, and other houses in many places of England, and also
among rubbish and stones. The single white and great yellow, as
well as all the other double kindes, are noursed vp in Gardens
onely with vs.
The Time.
All the single kindes doe flower many times in the end of
Autumne, and if the Winter be milde all the Winter long, but
especially in the moneths of February, March, and Aprill, and
vntill the heate of the Spring doe spend them: but the other
double kindes doe not continue flowring in that manner the
yeare throughout, although very early sometimes, and very late
also in some places.
The Names.
They are called by diuers names, as _Viola lutea_, _Leucoium
luteum_, and _Keiri_, or _Cheiri_, by which name it is chiefly
knowne in our Apothecaries shops, because there is an oyle made
thereof called _Cheirinum_: In English they are vsually called
in these parts, Wall-flowers: Others doe call them Bee-flowers;
others Wall-Gilloflowers, Winter-Gilloflowers, and yellow
Stocke-Gilloflowers; but we haue a kinde of Stocke-Gilloflower
that more fitly deserueth that name, as shall be shewed in the
Chapter following.
The Vertues.
The sweetnesse of the flowers causeth them to be generally
vsed in Nosegayes, and to decke vp houses; but physically they
are vsed in diuers manners: As a Conserue made of the flowers,
is vsed for a remedy both for the Appoplexie and Palsie. The
distilled water helpeth well in the like manner. The oyle made
of the flowers is heating and resoluing, good to ease paines of
strained and pained sinewes.
CHAP. XL.
_Leucoium._ Stocke-Gilloflower.
There are very many sorts of Stocke-Gilloflowers, both single and
double, some of the fields and mountaines, others of the Sea marshes
and medowes; and some noursed vp in Gardens, and there preserued by
seede or slippe, as each kinde is aptest to bee ordered. But because
some of these are fitter for a generall History then for this our
Garden of Pleasure, both for that diuers haue no good sent, others
little or no beauty, and to be entreated of onely for the variety, I
shall spare so many of them as are not fit for this worke, and onely
set downe the rest.
[Illustration:
1 _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum vulgare._ Common Wall-flowers.
2 _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum maius simplex._ The great single
Wall-flower.
3 _Keiri siue Leucoium luteum flore pleno vulgare._ Ordinary double
Wall-flowers.
4 _Keiri maius flore pleno ferrugineo._ The great double red
Wall-flower.
5 _Leucoium sativum simplex._ Single Stocke Gilloflowers.
6 _Leucoium sativum simplex flore striato._ Single stript
Stocke-Gilloflowers.
]
1. _Leucoium simplex sativum diversorum colorum._
Garden Stocke-Gilloflowers single of diuers colours.
These single Stocke-Gilloflowers, although they differ in the colour of
their flowers, yet are in leafe and manner of growing, one so like
vnto another, that vntill they come to flower, the one cannot be well
knowne that beareth red flowers, from another that beareth purple; and
therefore one description of the plant shall serue, with a declaration
of the sundry colours of the flowers. It riseth vp with round whitish
woody stalkes, two, three, or foure foot high, whereon are set many
long, and not very broad, soft, and whitish or grayish greene leaues,
somewhat round pointed, and parted into diuers branches, at the toppes
whereof grow many flowers, one aboue another, smelling very sweet,
consisting of foure small, long, and round pointed leaues, standing in
small long huskes, which turne into long and flat pods, sometimes halfe
a foote long, wherein is contained flat, round, reddish seedes, with
grayish ringes or circles about them, lying flat all along the middle
rib of the pod on both sides: the roote is long, white, and woody,
spreading diuers wayes. There is great variety in the colours of the
flowers: for some are wholly of a pure white colour, others of a most
excellent crimson red colour, others againe of a faire red colour,
but not so bright or liuely as the other, some also of a purplish or
violet colour, without any spot, marke, or line in them at all. There
are againe of all these colours, mixed very variably, as white mixed
with small or great spottes, strakes or lines of pure or bright red, or
darke red, and white with purple spots and lines; and of eyther of them
whose flowers are almost halfe white, and halfe red, or halfe white,
and halfe purple. The red of both sorts, and the purple also, in the
like manner spotted, striped, and marked with white, differing neyther
in forme, nor substance, in any other point.
2. _Leucoium satiuum albido luteum simplex._
The single pale yellow Stocke-Gilloflower.
There is very little difference in this kind from the former, for the
manner of growing, or forme of leaues or flower. Only this hath greener
leaues, and pale yellow almost white flowers, in all other things
alike: this is of no great regard, but only for rarity, and diuersity
from the rest.
3. _Leucoium Melancholicum._ The Melancholick Gentleman.
This wilde kinde of stocke gilloflower hath larger, longer and greener
leaues then any of the former kindes, vneuenly gashed or sinuated on
both edges lying on the ground, and a little rough or hairy withall:
from among which rise vp the stalkes, a yard high or more, and hairy
likewise, bearing thereon here and there some such like leaues as
are below, but smaller, and at the top a great number of flowers,
as large or larger then any of the former single kindes, made of 4.
large leaues a peece also, standing in such like long huskes, but of a
darke or sullen yellowish colour: after which come long roundish pods,
wherein lye somewhat long but rounder and greater seede then any stocke
gilloflower, and nearer both in pod and seede vnto the _Hesperis_ or
Dames Violet: this perisheth not vsually after seede bearing, although
sometimes it doth.
4. _Leucoium marinum Syriacum._ Leuant stocke gilloflowers.
This kind of stocke gilloflower riseth vp at the first with diuers long
and somewhat broad leaues, a little vneuenly dented or waued on the
edges, which so continue the first yeare after the sowing: the stalke
riseth vp the next yeare to bee two foot high or more, bearing all
those leaues on it that it first had, which then do grow lesse sinuated
or waued then before: at the top whereof stand many flowers, made of
foure leaues a peece, of a delayed purple colour, but of a small sent
which turne into very long and narrow flat pods, wherein are contained
flat seed like the ordinary stocke gilloflowers, but much larger and
of a darke or blackish browne colour: the root is white, and groweth
deepe, spreading in the ground, but growing woody when it is in seede,
and perisheth afterwards.
5. _Leucoij alterum genus, flore tam multiplici quam simplici ex
feminio oriundum._
Another sort of Stocke gilloflowers bearing as well double as single
flowers from seede.