Chapter X: Front Matter (10)

It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the
ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the
seede is ripe in Iuly.

The Names.

Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils,
for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted
the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill,
which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the
fourth place, whereupon many doe call it _Narcissus quartus
Matthioli_, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna
calleth it _Hyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore_. Clusius
(to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee
desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,
_Ornithogalum Neapolitanum_, and we thereafter call it in
English, The Starre-flower of Naples.

_Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus._ The little Starre-flower of Spaine.

Clusius hath set forth this plant among his _Ornithogala_ or Starre-flowers, and although it doth in my minde come nearer to a _Hyacinthus_, then to _Ornithogalum_, yet pardon it, and let it passe as he doth. From a little round whitish roote, springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, fiue or six small long green leaues, without any white line in the middle of them, among which rise vp one or two small stalkes, an hand length high or better, bearing seuen or eight, or more flowers, growing as it were in a tuft or vmbell, with small long leaues at the foote of euery stalke, the lower flowers being equall in length with the vppermost, of a pale whitish blew or ash colour, with a strake or line downe the backe of euery leafe of them, with some white threeds standing about a blewish head in the middle: these flowers passe away quickly, and giue no seed, so that it is not knowne what seede it beareth.

The Place.

This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.

The Time.

It flowreth in May.

The Names.

It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but
lately found out.

1. _Ornithogalum album vnifolium._ The white starre-flower with one blade.

This little starre-flower I bring into this place, as the fittest in my opinion where to place it, vntill my minde change to alter it. It hath a very small round white roote, from whence springeth vp one very long and round greene leafe, like vnto a rush, but that for about two or three inches aboue the ground, it is a little flat, and from thence springeth forth a small stalke not aboue three or foure inches high, bearing at the top thereof three or foure small white flowers, consisting of six leaues a peece, within which are six white chiues, tipt with yellow pendents, standing about a small three square head, that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middle thereof: the flower is pretty and sweete, but not heady.

_Ornithogalum luteum._ The yellow Starre of Bethlehem.

This yellow Starre-flower riseth vp at the first, with one long, round, greenish leafe, which openeth it selfe somewhat aboue the ground, and giueth out another small leafe, lesser and shorter then the first, and afterward the stalke riseth from thence also, being foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe three or foure small green leaues, and among them foure or fiue small yellow starre-like flowers, with a greenish line or streake downe the backe of euery leafe, and some small reddish yellow threeds in the middle: it seldome giueth seede: the roote is round, whitish, and somewhat cleare, very apt to perish, if it bee any little while kept dry out of the ground, as I haue twice tryed to my losse.

The Place.

The first grew in Portugall, and Clusius first of all others
desciphers it.

The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary,
in the moister grounds.

The Time.

The first flowreth in May: the other in Aprill, and sometimes
in March.

The Names.

Carolus Clusius calleth the first _Bulbus vnifolius_, or
_Bolbine_, but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any
plant; but (as you see) I haue ranked it with the small sorts
of _Ornithogalum_, and giue it the name accordingly.

The other is referred for likenesse of forme, and not for
colour, vnto the _Ornithogala_, or Starres of Bethlehem. It is
called by Tragus and Fuchsius _Bulbus siluestris_, because of
the obuiousnesse. Cordus taketh it to be _Sisyrinchium_. Lacuna
calleth it _Bulbus esculentus_. Lobel and others in these
dayes generally, _Ornithogalum luteum_, and wee thereafter in
English, The yellow Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.

The Vertues.

The first kinde being but lately found out, is not knowne to be
vsed. The rootes of the common or vulgar, are (as Matthiolus
saith) much eaten by poore people in Italy, either rawe or
roasted, being sweeter in taste then any Chestnut, and seruing
as well for a necessary food as for delight. It is doubtfull
whether any of the rest may be so vsed; for I know not any in
our Land hath made any experience.

There are many other sorts of Starre-flowers, which are fitter for a generall then this History; and therefore I referre them thereunto.

CHAP. XIII.

_Moly._ Wilde Garlicke.

Vnto the former Starre-flowers, must needes bee ioyned another tribe or kindred, which carry their straked flowers Starre-fashion, not spikewise, but in a tuft or vmbell thicke thrust or set together. And although diuers of them smell not as the former, but most of their first Grandfathers house, yet all doe not so; for some of them are of an excellent sent. Of the whole Family, there are a great many which I must leaue, I will onely select out a few for this our Garden, whose flowers for their beauty of statelinesse, forme, or colour, are fit to bee entertained, and take place therein, euery one according to his worth, and are accepted of with the louers of these delights.

1. _Moly Homericum, vel potius Theophrasti._ The greatest Moly of Homer.

Homers Moly (for so it is most vsually called with vs) riseth vp most commonly with two, and sometimes with three great, thicke, long, and hollow guttered leaues, of a whitish greene colour, very neare the colour of the Tulipa leafe, hauing sometimes at the end of some of the leaues, and sometimes apart by it selfe, a whitish round small button, like vnto a small bulbe, the like whereof also, but greater, doth grow betweene the bottome of the leaues and the stalke neare the ground, which being planted when it is ripe, will grow into a roote of the same kinde: among these leaues riseth vp a round, strong, and tall stalke, a yard high or better, bare or naked vnto the toppe, where it beareth a great tuft or vmbell of pale purplish flowers, all of them almost standing vpon equall foot-stalkes, or not one much higher then another, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, striped downe the backe with a small pale line, hauing a round head or vmbone with some threeds about it in the midst: These flowers doe abide a great while blowne before they vade, which smell not very strong, like any Onion or Garlicke, but of a faint smell: and after they are past come the seede, which is blacke, wrapped in white close huskes: the roote groweth very great, sometimes bigger then any mans closed fist, smelling strong like Garlicke, whitish on the outside, and greene at the toppe, if it be but a while bare from the earth about it.

2. _Moly Indicum siue Caucason._ The Indian Moly.

The Indian Moly hath such like thicke large leaues, as the Homers Moly hath, but shorter and broader, in the middle whereof riseth vp a short weake stalke, almost flat, not hauing any flowers vpon it, but a head or cluster of greenish scaly bulbes, inclosed at the first in a large thinne skinne, which being open, euery bulbe sheweth it selfe, standing close one vnto another vpon his foot-stalke, of the bignesse of an Acorne, which being planted, will grow to bee a plant of his owne kinde: the roote is white and great, couered with a darke coate or skinne, which encreaseth but little vnder ground; but besides that head, it beareth small bulbes aboue the ground, at the bottome of the leaues next vnto the stalke, like vnto the former.

The Place.

Both these doe grow in diuers places of Spaine, Italy, and
Greece; for the last hath been sent out of Turkie among
other rootes. Ferrantes Imperatus a learned Apothecary of
Naples, sent it to diuers of his friends in these parts,
and hath described it in his naturall history among other
plants, printed in the Italian tongue. It grew also with Iohn
Tradescante at Canterbury, who sent me the head of bulbes to
see, and afterwards a roote, to plant it in my Garden.

The Time.

The first flowreth in the end of May, and abideth vnto the
midst of Iuly, and sometimes longer. The other beareth his head
of bulbes in Iune and Iuly.

The Names.

We haue receiued them by their names expressed in their titles,
yet the last hath also been sent by the name of _Ornithogalum
Italicum_, but as all may easily see, it is not of that kindred.

1. _Moly montanum Pannonicum bulbiferum primum._ The first bulbed Moly of Hungary.

This first Hungarian Moly hath three or foure broad and long greene leaues, folded together at the first, which after open themselues, and are carried vp with the stalke, standing thereon one aboue another, which is a foote high; at the toppe whereof doe grow a few sad reddish bulbes, and betweene them long footstalkes, bearing flowers of a pale purplish colour; after which followeth blacke seede, inclosed in roundish heads: the roote is not great, but white on the outside, very like vnto the roote of Serpents Moly, hereafter described, encreasing much vnder ground, & smelling strong.

2. _Moly montanum Pannonicum bulbiferum secundum._ The second bulbed Moly of Hungary.

The second Moly hath narrower greene leaues then the former: the stalke is about the same height, and beareth at the toppe a great cluster of small greene bulbes, which after turne of a darker colour; from among which come forth long foot-stalks, whereon stand purplish flowers: the roote is couered with a blackish purple coate or skinne.

3. _Moly Serpentinum._ Serpents Moly.

This Moly must also be ioyned vnto the bulbous Molyes, as of kindred with them, yet of greater beauty and delight, because the bulbes on the heads of the small stalkes are redder, and more pleasant to behold: the stalke is lower, and his grassie winding leaues, which turne themselues (whereof it tooke the name) are smaller, and of a whiter greene colour: it beareth among the bulbes purplish flowers also, but more beautifull, the sent whereof is nothing so strong: the roote is small, round, and whitish, encreasing into a number of small rootes, no bigger then pease round about the greater roote.

4. _Moly caule & folijs triangularibus._ The three cornered Moly.

This three square Moly hath foure or fiue long, and somewhat broad pale greene leaues, flat on the vpper side, and with a ridge downe the backe of the leafe, which maketh it seeme three square: the stalke which riseth vp a foote and a halfe high or better, is three square or three cornered also, bearing at the toppe out of a skinnie huske diuers white flowers, somewhat large and long, almost bell-fashion, with stripes of greene downe the middle of euery leafe, and a few chiues tipt with yellow in the middle about the head, wherein when it is ripe, is inclosed small blacke seede: the roote is white on the outside, and very like the yellow Moly; both roote, leafe, and flower hath a smacke, but not very strong of Garlicke.

1 _Moly Homericum vel potius Theophrasti._ The greatest Moly of
Homer.
2 _Moly Indicum siue Caucason._ The Indian Moly.
3 _Moly Pannonicum bulbiferum._ The bulbed Moly of Hungary.
4 _Moly Serpentinum._ Serpents Moly.
5 _Moly purpureum Neapolitanum._ The purplish Moly of Naples.
6 _Moly caule & folijs triangularibus._ The three cornered Moly.
7 _Moly latifolium flore luteo._ The yellow Moly.
8 _Moly Dioscorideum Hispanicum._ The Spanish Moly of Dioscorides.
9 _Moly Zibettinum vel Moschatinum._ The sweete smelling Moly of
Mompelier.
10 _Moly serotinum Coniferum._ The late Pine apple Moly.
]

5. _Moly Narcissinis folijs._ Daffodill leafed Moly.

This Moly hath many long, narrow, and flat greene leaues, very like vnto the leaues of a Daffodill, from whence it tooke his name (or rather of the early greater _Leucoium_ _bulbosum_, or bulbed Violet before described, ioyned next vnto the Daffodils, because it is so like them) among which riseth vp two or three stalkes sometimes, each of a foot and a halfe high, bearing at the toppe, inclosed in a skinny hose, as all the Molyes haue, a number of small purplish flowers, which doe not long abide, but quickly fade: the seede is blacke as others are; the roote is sometimes knobbed, and more often bulbed, hauing in the knobs some markes of the old stalkes to be seene in them, and smelleth somewhat like Garlicke, whereby it may be knowne.

6. _Moly montanum latifolium luteo flore._ The yellow Moly.

The yellow Moly hath but one long and broad leafe when it doth not beare flower, but when it will beare flower, it hath two long and broad leaues, yet one alwaies longer and broader then the other, which are both of the same colour, and neare the bignesse of a reasonable Tulipa leafe: betweene these leaues groweth a slender stalke, bearing at the toppe a tuft or vmbell of yellow flowers out of a skinnie hose, which parteth three wayes, made of six leaues a peece, laid open like a Starre, with a greenish backe or outside, and with some yellow threeds in the middle: the seede is blacke, like vnto others: the roote is whitish, two for the most part ioyned together, which encreaseth quickly, and smelleth very strong of Garlicke, as both flowers and leaues doe also.

7. _Moly Pyrenæum purpureum._ The purple mountaine Moly.

This purple Moly hath two or three leaues, somewhat like the former yellow Moly, but not so broad, nor so white: the stalke hath not so many flowers thereon, but more sparingly, and of an vnpleasant purple colour: the roote is whitish, smelling somewhat strongly of Garlicke, but quickly perisheth with the extremity of our cold Winters, which it will not abide vnlesse it be defended.

8. _Moly montanum latifolium purpureum Hispanicum._ The purple Spanish Moly.

This Moly hath two broad and very long greene leaues, like vnto the yellow Moly, in this, that they doe compasse one another at the bottome of them, between which riseth vp a strong round stalke, two foote high or more, bearing at the toppe, out of a thinne huske, a number of faire large flowers vpon long foot-stalkes, consisting of six leaues a peece, spread open like a Starre, of a fine delayed purple or blush colour, with diuers threeds of the same colour, tipt with yellow, standing about the middle head: betweene the stalke and the bottome of the leaues it hath some small bulbes growing, which being planted, will soone spring and encrease: the roote also being small and round, with many fibres thereat, hath many small bulbes shooting from them; but neither roote, leafe, nor flower, hath any ill sent of Garlicke at all.

9. _Moly purpureum Neapolitanum._ The purple Moly of Naples.

The Neapolitane Moly hath three of foure small long greene leaues set vpon the stalke after it is risen vp, which beareth a round head of very fine purple flowers, made of six leaues a peece, but so closing together at the edge, that they seeme like vnto small cuppes, neuer laying themselues open, as the other doe; this hath some sent of his originall, but the roote more then any part else, which is white and round, quickly encreasing as most of the Molyes doe.

10. _Moly pyxidatum argenteum Hispanicum._ The Spanish siluer cupped Moly.

This Spanish Moly hath two or three very long rush like leaues, which rise vp with the stalke, or rather vanish away when the stalke is risen vp to bee three foote high or more, bearing a great head of flowers, standing close at the first, but afterwards spreading much one from another, euery flower vpon a long foote-stalke, being of a white siluer colour, with stripes or lines on euery side, and fashioned small and hollow, like a cuppe or boxe: the seede I could neuer obserue, because it flowreth so late, that the Winter hindereth it from bearing seede with vs: the roote is small and round, white, and in a manner transparent, at least so shining, as if it were so, and encreaseth nothing so much, as many of the other sorts: this hath no ill sent at all, but rather a pretty smell, not to bee misliked.

11. _Moly serotinum Coniferum._ The late Pineapple Moly.

This late Moly that was sent me with the last described, and others also from Spain, riseth vp with one long greene leafe, hollow and round vnto the end, towards this end on the one side, breaketh out a head of flowers, enclosed in a thinne skinne, which after it hath so stood a good while, (the leafe in the meane time rising higher, and growing harder, becommeth the stalke) breaketh, and sheweth a great bush or head of buds for flowers, thicke thrust together, fashioned very like vnto the forme of a Pineapple (from whence I gaue it the name) of the bigness of a Walnut: after this head hath stood in this manner a moneth or thereabouts, the flowers shew themselues to bee of a fine delayed or whitish purple colour, with diuers stripes in euery of them, of the same cup-fashion with the former, but not opening so plainly, so that they cannot bee discerned to bee open, without good heede and obseruation. It flowreth so late in Autume, that the early frosts doe quickly spoile the beauty of it, and soone cause it to rotte: the roote is small and round, and shining like the last, very tender also, as not able to abide our sharpe Winters, which hath caused it vtterly to perish with me.

12. _Moly Dioscorideum._ Dioscorides his Moly.

The roote of this small Moly is transparent within, but couered with a thicke yellowish skinne, of the bignesse of an Hasell Nut, or somewhat bigger, which sendeth forth three or foure narrow grassie leaues, long and hollow, and a little bending downwards, of a whitish greene colour, among which riseth vp a slender weake stalke, a foot and a halfe high, bearing at the toppe, out of a thinne skinne, a tuft of milke white flowers, very like vnto those of Ramsons, which stand a pretty while in their beauty, and then passe away for the most part without giuing any seede: this hath little or no sent of Garlicke.

We haue anothor of this sort that is lesser, and the flowers rounder pointed.

13. _Moly Dioscorideum Hispanicum._ The Spanish Moly of Dioscorides.

This Moly came vnto me among other Molyes from Spaine, and is in all things like vnto the last described, but fairer, larger, and of much more beauty, as hauing his white flowers twice as great as the former; but (as it seemeth) very impatient of our Winters, which it could not at any hand endure, but quickly perished, as some others that came with it also.

14. _Moly Moschatinum vel Zibettinum Monspeliense._ The sweete smelling Moly of Mompelier.

This sweete Moly, which I haue kept for the last, to close vp your senses, is the smallest, and the finest of all the rest, hauing foure or fiue small greene leaues, almost as fine as haires, or like the leaues of the Feather-grasse: the stalke is about a foote high, bearing fiue or six or more small white flowers, laid open like Starres, made of six leaues a peece, of an excellent sweete sent, resembling Muske or Ciuet; for diuers haue diuersly censured of it. It flowreth late in the yeare, so that if the precedent Summer bee either ouer moist, or the Autumne ouer early cold, this will not haue that sweete sent, that it will haue in a hot drie time, and besides must be carefully respected: for it will hardly abide the extremity of our sharpe Winters.

The Place.

The places of these Molyes, are for the most part expressed in
their titles, or in their descriptions.

The Time.

The time is set downe, for the most part to bee in Iune and
Iuly, the rest later.

The Names.

To make further relation of names then are expressed in their
titles, were needlesse; let these therefore suffice.

The Vertues.

All these sorts of Molyes are small kindes of wilde Garlicke,
and are to be vsed for the same purposes that the great Garden
Garlicke is, although much weaker in their effects. For any
other especiall property is in any of these, more than to
furnish a Garden of variety, I haue not heard at all.

And thus much may suffice of these kindes for our Garden, reseruing manie others that might be spoken of, to a generall worke, or to my Garden of Simples, which as God shall enable me, and time giue leaue, may shew it selfe to the world, to abide the iudicious and criticke censures of all.

CHAP. XIIII.

_Asphodelus._ The Asphodill.

There remaine some other flowers, like vnto the last described, to be specified, which although they haue no bulbous rootes, yet I thinke them fittest to bee here mentioned, that so I may ioyne those of neerest similitude together, vntill I haue finished the rest that are to follow.

1. _Asphodelus maior albus ramosus._ The great white branched Asphodill.

The great white Asphodill hath many long, and narrow, hollow three square leaues, sharpe pointed, lying vpon the ground round about the roote: the stalke is smooth, round, and naked without leaues, which riseth from the midst of them, diuided at the toppe into diuers branches, if the plant bee of any long continuance, or else but into two or three small branches, from the sides of the maine great one, whereon doe stand many large flowers Starre-fashion, made of six leaues a peece, whitish on the inside, and straked with a purplish line downe the backside of euery leafe, hauing in the middle of the flowers some small yellow threeds: the seede is blacke, and three square, greater then the seede of Bucke wheate, contained in roundish heads, which open into three parts: the roote is composed of many tuberous long clogges, thickest in the middle, and smaller at both ends, fastened together at the head, of a darke grayish colour on the outside, and yellow within.

2. _Asphodelus albus non ramosus._ The white vnbranched Asphodill.

The vnbranched Asphodill is like vnto the former, both in leaues and flowers, but that the flowers of this are whiter, and without any line or strake on the backe side, and the stalkes are without branches: the rootes likewise are smaller, and fewer, but made after the same fashion.

3. _Asphodelus maior flore carneo._ The blush coloured Asphodill.

This Asphodill is like to the last in forme of leaues and branches, and differeth in this, that his leaues are marked with some spots, and the flowers are of a blush or flesh colour, in all other things alike.

4. _Asphodelus minimus albus._ The least white Asphodill.

This least Asphodill hath foure or fiue very narrow long leaues, yet seeming three square like the greatest, bearing a small stalke, of about a foote high among them, without any branches, and at the toppe a few white flowers, straked both within and without, with a purplish line in the middle of euery leafe. The rootes are such like tuberous clogges as are in the former, but much lesser.

5. _Asphodelus albus minor siue Fistulosus._ The little hollow white Asphodill.

This little white Asphodill hath a number of leaues growing thicke together, thicker and greener then those of the small yellow Asphodill, or Kings Speare next following, among which riseth vp diuers round stalkes, bearing flowers from the middle to the toppe, Starre-fashion, with small greene leaues among them, which are white on the inside, and striped on the backe with purple lines like vnto the first described: the seede, and heads containing them, are three square, like the seede of the little yellow Asphodill: the rootes of this kinde are not glandulous, as the former, but stringie, long and white: the whole plant is very impatient of our cold Winters, and quickly perisheth, if it be not carefully preserued, both from the cold, and much wet in the Winter, by housing it; and then it will abide many yeares: for it is not an annuall plant, as many haue thought.

6. _Asphodelus luteus minor, siue Hastula regia._ The small yellow Asphodill, or Kings speare.

This small yellow Asphodill, which is vsually called the Kings speare, hath many long narrow edged leaues, which make them seeme three square, of a bluish or whitish greene colour: the stalke riseth vp three foote high oftentimes, beset with small long leaues vp vnto the very flowers, which grow thicke together spike-fashion one aboue another, for a great length, and wholly yellow, laid open like a Starre, somewhat greater then the last white Asphodill, and smaller then the first, which when they are past yeeld round heads, containing blacke cornered seede, almost three square: the rootes are many long yellow strings, which spreading in the ground, doe much encrease.

The Place.

All these Asphodils doe grow naturally in Spaine and France,
and from thence were first brought vnto vs, to furnish our
Gardens.

The Time.

All the glandulous rooted Asphodils doe flower some in May,
and some in Iune; but the two last doe flower, the yellow or
last, of them in Iuly, and the former white one in August and
September, and vntill the cold and winter hinder it.

The Names.

Their seuerall names are giuen them in their titles, as much as
is fit for this discourse. For to shew you that the Greekes
doe call the stalke of the great Asphodill Ανθερίκη, and the
Latines _Albucum_, or what else belongeth to them, is fitter
for another worke, vnto which I leaue them.

The bastard Asphodils should follow next in place, if this worke were fit for them; but because I haue tyed my selfe to expresse onely those flowers and plants, that for their beauty, or sent, or both, doe furnish a Garden of Pleasure, and they haue none, I leaue them to a generall History of plants, or that Garden of Simples before spoken of, and will describe the Lilly Asphodils, and the _Phalangia_ or Spider-worts, which are remaining of those, that ioyne in name or fashion, and are to be here inserted, before I passe to the rest of the bulbous rootes.

1. _Liliasphodelus phœniceus._ The gold red Day Lilly.

Because the rootes of this and the next, doe so nearely agree with the two last recited Asphodils, I haue set them in this place, although some doe place them next after the Lillies, because their flowers doe come nearest in forme vnto Lillies; but whether you will call them Asphodils with Lilly flowers, as I thinke it fittest, or Lillies with Asphodill rootes, or Lillies without bulbous rootes, as others doe, I will not contend.

The red Day Lilly hath diuers broad and long fresh greene leaues, folded at the first as it were double, which after open, and remaine a little hollow in the middle; among which riseth vp a naked stalke three foot high, bearing at the toppe many flowers, one not much distant from another, and flowring one after another, not hauing lightly aboue one flower blown open in a day, & that but for a day, not lasting longer, but closing at night, and not opening againe; whereupon it had his English name, The Lilly for a day: these flowers are almost as large as the flowers of the white Lilly, and made after the same fashion, but of a faire gold red, or Orange tawny colour. I could neuer obserue any seede to follow these flowers; for they seeme the next day after they haue flowred, (except the time be faire and dry) to bee so rotten, as if they had lyen in wet to rotte them, whereby I thinke no seede can follow: the rootes are many thicke and long yellow knobbed strings, like vnto the small yellow Asphodill rootes, but somewhat greater, running vnder ground in like sort, and shooting young heads round about.

2. _Liliasphodelus luteus._ The yellow Day Lilly.

I shall not neede to make a repetition of the description of this Day Lilly, hauing giuen you one so amply before, because this doth agree thereunto so nearely, as that it might seeme the same; these differences onely it hath, the leaues are not fully so large, nor the flower so great or spread open, and the colour thereof is of a faire yellow wholly, and very sweet, which abideth blowne many daies before it fade, and hath giuen blacke round seede, growing in round heads, like the heads of the small yellow Asphodill, but not so great.

Clusius hath set downe, that it was reported, that there should be another Liliasphodill with a white flower, but we can heare of none such as yet; but I rather thinke, that they that gaue that report might be mistaken, in thinking the Sauoye Spider-wort to be a white Liliasphodill, which indeede is so like, that one not well experienced, or not well regarding it, may soone take one for another.

1 _Asphodelus maior albus ramosus._ The great white branched
Asphodill.
2 _Asphodelus minor albus seu fistulosus._ The little hollow white
Asphodill.
3 _Asphodelus minor luteus, siue Hastula regia._ The small yellow
Asphodill, or Kings speare.
4 _Liliasphodelus luteus._ The yellow Day Lilly.
5 _Liliasphodelus phœniceus._ The gold red Day Lilly.
]

The Place.

Their originall is many moist places in Germany.

The Time.

They flower in May and Iune.

The Names.

They are called by some _Liliago_, and _Lilium non bulbosum_,
and _Liliasphodelus_. In English we call them both Day
Lillies, but the name doth not so well agree with the last, as
with the first, for the causes aboue specified.

The Vertues.

The rootes of Asphodill haue formerly beene had in great
account, but now are vtterly neglected; yet by reason of their
sharpnesse they open and cleanse, and therefore some haue of
late vsed them for the yellow Iaundise. The Day Lillies haue no
physicall vse that I know, or haue heard.

CHAP. XV.

_Phalangium._ Spider-wort.

These plants doe so nearely resemble those that are last set forth, that I thinke none that knowes them, will doubt, but that they must follow next vnto them, being so like vnto them, and therefore of the fairest of this kinde first.

1. _Phalangium Allobrogicum._ The Sauoye Spider-wort.

The Sauoye Spider-wort springeth vp with foure or fiue greene leaues, long and narrow, yet broader at the bottome, narrower pointed at the end, and a little hollow in the middle; among which riseth vp a round stiffe stalke, a foote and a halfe high, bearing at the toppe one aboue another, seuen or eight, or more flowers, euery one as large almost as the yellow Day Lilly last described, but much greater then in any other of the Spider-worts, of a pure white colour, with some threeds in the middle, tipt with yellow, and a small forked pointell: after the flowers are past, the heads or seede vessels grow almost three square, yet somewhat round, wherein is contained blackish seede: the rootes are many white, round, thicke, brittle strings, ioyned together at the head, but are nothing so long, as the rootes of the other _Phalangia_ or Spider-worts.

2. _Phalangium maius Italicum album._ The great Italian Spider-wort.

This great Spider-wort hath diuers long and narrow leaues spread vpon the ground, and not rising vp as the former, and not so broad also as the former, but somewhat larger then those that follow: the stalke is bigger, but seldome riseth vp so high as the next, whereof this is a larger kinde, hauing a long vnbranched stalke of white flowers, laid open like starres as it hath, but somewhat greater: the rootes are long and white, like the next, but somewhat larger.

3. _Phalangium non ramosum vulgare._ Vnbranched Spider-wort.

The leaues of this Spider-wort doe seeme to bee little bigger or longer then the leaues of grasse, but of a more grayish green colour, rising immediately from the head or tuft of rootes; among which rise vp one or two stalkes, sometimes two or three foote long, beset toward the toppe with many white Starre-like flowers, which after they are past turne into small round heads, containing blacke seede, like vnto the seed of the little yellow Asphodill, but lesser: the rootes are long white strings, running vnder ground.

4. _Phalangium ramosum._ Branched Spider-wort.

The branched Spider-wort hath his leaues somewhat broader then the former, and of a more yellowish greene colour: the stalke hereof is diuersly branched at the top, bearing many white flowers, like vnto the former, but smaller: the seedes and rootes are like the former in all things.

1 _Phalangium Allobrogicum._ The Sauoye Spider-wort.
2 _Phalangium non ramosum._ Vnbranched Spider-wort.
3 _Phalangium ramosum._ Branched Spider-wort.
4 _Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum._ Iohn Tradescante’s
Spider-wort.
]

The Place.

The first groweth on the Hils neare vnto Sauoye, from whence
diuers, allured with the beauty of the flower, haue brought it
into these parts.

The second came vp in my Garden, from the seede receiued out of
Italy. The others grow in Spaine, France, &c.

The Time.

The vnbranched Spider-wort most commonly flowreth before all
the other, and the branched a moneth after it: the other two
about one time, that is, towards the end of May, and not much
after the vnbranched kinde.

The Names.

The first (as I said before) hath beene taken to be a white
Lilliasphodill, and called _Liliasphodelus flore albo_; but
Clusius hath more properly entituled it a _Phalangium_,
and from the place of his originall, gaue him his other
denomination, and so is called of most, as is set downe in the
title.

The other haue no other names then are expressed in their
titles, but only that Cordus calleth them _Liliago_; and
Dodonæus, _lib._ 4. _hist. plant._ would make the branched
kinde to bee _Moly alterum Plinij_, but without any good
ground.

The Vertues.

The names _Phalangium_ and _Phalangites_ were imposed on
these plants, because they were found effectual, to cure the
poyson of that kinde of Spider, called _Phalangium_, as also
of Scorpions and other Serpents. Wee doe not know, that any
Physitian hath vsed them to any such, or any other purpose in
our dayes.

5. _Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum Ioannis Tradescant._ The soon fading Spider-wort of Virginia, or Tradescant his Spider-wort.

This Spider-wort is of late knowledge, and for it the Christian world is indebted vnto that painfull industrious searcher, and louer of all natures varieties, Iohn Tradescant (sometimes belonging to the right Honourable Lord Robert Earle of Salisbury, Lord Treasurer of England in his time, and then vnto the right Honourable the Lord Wotton at Canterbury in Kent, and lastly vnto the late Duke of Buckingham) who first receiued it of a friend, that brought it out of Virginia, thinking it to bee the Silke Grasse that groweth there, and hath imparted hereof, as of many other things, both to me and others; the description whereof is as followeth:

From a stringie roote, creeping farre vnder ground, and rising vp againe in many places, springeth vp diuers heads of long folded leaues, of a grayish ouer-worne greene colour, two or three for the most part together, and not aboue, compassing one another at the bottome, and abiding greene in many places all the Winter; other-where perishing, and rising anew in the Spring, which leaues rise vp with the great round stalke, being set thereon at the ioynts, vsually but one at a ioynt, broad at the bottome where they compasse the stalke, and smaller and smaller to the end: at the vpper ioynt, which is the toppe of the stalke, there stand two or three such like leaues, but smaller, from among which breaketh out a dozen, sixteene, or twenty, or more round green heads, hanging downe their heads by little foot-stalkes, which when the flower beginneth to blow open, groweth longer, and standeth vpright, hauing three small pale greene leaues for a huske, and three other leaues within them for the flower, which lay themselues open flat, of a deepe blew purple colour, hauing an vmbone or small head in the middle, closely set about with six reddish, hairy, or feathered threeds, tipt with yellow pendents: this flower openeth it selfe in the day, & shutteth vsually at night, and neuer openeth againe, but perisheth, and then hangeth downe his head againe; the greene huske of three leaues, closing it selfe againe into the forme of a head, but greater, as it was before, the middle vmbone growing to bee the seede vessell, wherein is contained small, blackish, long seede: Seldome shall any man see aboue one, or two at the most of these flowers blowne open at one time vpon the stalke, whereby it standeth in flowring a long time, before all the heads haue giuen out their flowers.

The Place.

This plant groweth in some parts of Virginia, and was deliuered
to Iohn Tradescant.

The Time.

It flowreth from the end of May vntill Iuly, if it haue had
greene leaues all the Winter, or otherwise, vntill the Winter
checke his luxuriousnesse.

The Names.

Vnto this plant I confesse I first imposed the name, by
considering duely all the parts thereof, which vntill some can
finde a more proper, I desire may still continue, and to call
it _Ephemerum Virginianum Tradescanti_, Iohn Tradescante’s
Spider-wort of Virginia, or _Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum_,
The soone fading or Day Spider-wort of Virginia.

The Vertues.

There hath not beene any tryall made of the properties since
wee had it, nor doe we know whether the Indians haue any vse
thereof.

CHAP. XVI.

_Colchicum._ Medowe Saffron.

To returne to the rest of the bulbous and tuberous rooted plants, that remaine to bee entreated of, the _Colchica_ or Medowe Saffrons are first to bee handled, whereof these later dayes haue found out more varieties, then formerly were knowne; some flowring in the Spring, but the most in Autumne, and some bearing double, but the greatest part single flowers: whereof euery one in their order, and first of our owne Country kindes.

1. _Colchicum Anglicum album._ The white English Medowe Saffron.

It is common to all the Medowe Saffrons, except that of the Spring, and one other, to beare their flowers alone in Autumne or later, without any green leaues with them, and afterwards in February, their greene leaues: So that I shall not neede to make manie descriptions, but to shew you the differences that consist in the leaues, and colours of the flowers; and briefly to passe (after I haue giuen you a full description of the first) from one vnto another, touching onely those things that are note worthy. The white English Medowe Saffron then doth beare in Autumne three or foure flowers at the most, standing seuerally vpon weake foote-stalkes, a fingers length or more aboue the ground, made of six white leaues, somewhat long and narrow, and not so large as most of the other kindes, with some threeds or chiues in the middle, like vnto the Saffron flowers of the Spring, wherein there is no colour of Saffron, or vertue to that effect: after the flowers are past and gone, the leaues doe not presently follow, but the roote remaineth in the ground without shew of leafe aboue ground, most part of the Winter, and then in February there spring vp three or foure large and long greene leaues, when they are fully growne vp, standing on the toppe of a round, weake, green, and short foote-stalke, somewhat like the leaues of white Lillies, but not so large, and in the middest of these leaues, after they haue been vp some time, appeare two or three loose skinny heads, standing in the middle of the leaues vpon short, thicke, greene stalkes, and being ripe, conteine in them round small brownish seede, that lye as it were loose therein, and when the head is dry, may bee heard to rattle being shaken: the roote is white within, but couered with a thicke blackish skinne or coate, hauing one side thereof at the bottome longer then the other, with an hollownesse also on the one side of that long eminence, where the flowers rise from the bottome, and shooting downe from thence a number of white fibres, whereby it is fastened in the ground: the greene leaues afterwards rising from the top or head of the roote.

2. _Colchicum Anglicum purpureum._ The purple English Medowe Saffron.

There is no difference at all in this Medowe Saffron from the former, but only in the colour of the flowers, which as they were wholly white in the former, so in this they are of a delayed purple colour, with a small shew of veines therein.

3. _Colchicum Pannonicum album._ The white Hungary Medowe Saffron.

The greatest difference in this _Colchicum_ from the former English white one, is, that it is larger both in roote, leafe, and flower, and besides, hath more store of flowers together, and continuing longer in beauty, without fading so soone as the former, and are also somewhat of a fairer white colour.

4. _Colchicum Pannonicum purpureum._ The purple Hungary Medowe Saffron.

This purple Medowe Saffron is somewhat like vnto the white of this kinde, but that it beareth not so plentifully as the white, nor doth the roote grow so great; but the flowers are in a manner as large as they, and of the like pale delayed purple colour, or somewhat deeper, as is in the purple English, with some veines or markes vpon the flowers, making some shew of a checker on the out side, but not so conspicuous, as in the true checkerd kindes. Wee haue a kinde hereof is party coloured with white streakes and edges, which abide constant, and hath been raised from the seede of the former.

5. _Colchicum Byzantinum._ Medowe Saffron of Constantinople.

This Medowe Saffron of Constantinople hath his leaues so broad and large, that hardly could any that neuer saw it before, iudge it to be a _Colchicum_; for they are much larger then any Lilly leaues, and of a darke greene colour: the flowers are correspondent to the leaues, larger and more in number then in any of the former purple kindes, of the same colour with the last purple kinde, but of a little deeper purple on the inside, with diuers markes running through the flowers, like vnto it, or vnto checkers, but yet somewhat more apparently: the roote is in the middle greater and rounder then the others, with a longer eminence, whereby it may easily bee knowne from all other sorts.

6. _Colchicum Lusitanicum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Portugall.

The flowers of this Medowe Saffron are larger and longer then the flowers of either the English or Hungarian, and almost as large as the last before mentioned, and of the same colour, but a little deeper, the spots and markes whereof are somewhat more easie to be seene euen a farre off, like vnto the flower of a Fritillaria, from whence it tooke his significatiue name: the leaues of this Medowe Saffron doe rise vp sooner then in any other of the Autumne kindes, for they are alwayes vp before Winter, and are foure or fiue in number, short rather then long, broad belowe, and pointed at the end, canaled or hollow, and standing round aboue the ground, one encompassing another at the bottome, like the great Spanish Starre Iacinth, called the Iacinth of Peru, but shorter, and of a pale or grayish greene colour, differing from the colour of all the other Medowe Saffrons: the roote is like the roote of the English or Hungarian without any difference, but that it groweth somewhat greater. It is one of the first Medowe Saffrons that flower in the Autumne.

1 _Colchicum Pannonicum._ The Hungarian Medow Saffron.
2 _Colchicum Byzantinum._ Medowe Saffron of Constantinople.
3 _Colchicum Lusitanicum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe Saffron
of Portugall.
4 _Colchicum Neapolitanum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe
Saffron of Naples.
5 _Colchicum Fritillaricum Chiense._ The Checkerd Medowe Saffron of
Chio or Sio.
6 _Colchicum Hermodactylum._ Physicall Medowe Saffron.
]

7. _Colchicum Neapolitanum Fritillaricum._ The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Naples.

This checkerd Medowe Saffron of Naples, is very like vnto the last recited checkerd Saffron of Portugall, but that the flower is somewhat larger, yet sometimes very little, or not at all: the greatest marke to distinguish them is, that the flowers of this are of a deeper colour, and so are the spots on the flowers likewise, which are so conspicuous, that they are discerned a great way off, more like vnto the flowers of a deepe Fritillaria, then the former, and make a goodlier and a more glorious shew: the leaues of this doe rise vp early after the flowers, and are somewhat longer, of a darker greene colour, yet bending to a grayish colour as the other, not lying so neatly or round, but stand vp one by another, being as it were folded together: neither of both these last named checkerd Medowe Saffrons haue giuen any seede in this Countrey, that euer I could learne or heare of, but are encreased by the roote, which in this is like the former, but a little bigger.

8. _Colchicum Fritillaricum Chiense._ The checkerd Medowe Saffron of Chio or Sio.

This most beautifull Saffron flower riseth vp with his flowers in the Autumne, as the others before specified doe, although not of so large a size, yet farre more pleasant and delightfull in the thicke, deepe blew, or purple coloured beautifull spots therein, which make it excell all others whatsoeuer: the leaues rise vp in the Spring, being smaller then the former, for the most part three in number, and of a paler or fresher greene colour, lying close vpon the ground, broad at the bottome, a little pointed at the end, and twining or folding themselues in and out at the edges, as if they were indented. I haue not seene any seede it hath borne: the roote is like vnto the others of this kinde, but small and long, and not so great: it flowreth later for the most part then any of the other, euen not vntill Nouember, and is very hard to be preserued with vs, in that for the most part the roote waxeth lesse and lesse euery yeare, our cold Country being so contrary vnto his naturall, that it will scarce shew his flower; yet when it flowreth any thing early, that it may haue any comfort of a warme Sunne, it is the glorie of all these kindes.

9. _Colchicum versicolor._ The party coloured Medowe Saffron.

The flowers of this Medowe Saffron most vsually doe not appeare, vntill most of the other Autumne sorts are past, except the last, which are very lowe, scarce rising with their stalkes three fingers breadth aboue the ground, but oftentimes halfe hid within the ground: the leaues whereof are smaller, shorter, and rounder, then in any of the other before specified, some being altogether white, and others wholly of a very pale purple, or flesh colour; and some againe parted, the one halfe of a leafe white, and the other halfe of the same purple, and sometimes striped purple and white, in diuers leaues of one and the same flower: and againe, some will be the most part of the leafe white, and the bottome purple, thus varying as nature list, that many times from one roote may bee seene to arise all these varieties before mentioned: these flowers doe stand long before they fade and passe away; for I haue obserued in my Garden some that haue kept their flower faire vntill the beginning of Ianuary, vntill the extremitie of the Winter frosts and snowes haue made them hide their heads: the leaues therefore accordingly doe rise vp after all other, and are of a brownish or darke greene colour at their first springing vp, which after grow to be of a deepe greene colour: the roote is like the former English or Hungarian kindes, but thicker and greater for the most part, and shorter also.

10. _Colchicum variegatum alterum._ Another party coloured Medowe Saffron.

There is another, whose party coloured flowers rise a little higher, diuersly striped and marked, with a deeper purple colour, and a pale or whitish blush throughout all the leaues of the flower.

11. _Colchicum montanum Hispanicum minus._ The little Spanish Medowe Saffron.

The flowers of this little Medowe Saffron are narrower and smaller then any of the former, and of a deeper reddish purple colour then either the English or Hungarian kindes: the greene leaues also are smaller then any other, lying on the ground, of a deepe or sad greene colour, rising vp within a while after the flowers are past, and doe abide greene all the Winter long: the roote is small and long, according to the rest of the plant, and like in forme to the others.

12. _Colchicum montanum minus versicolore flore._ The small party coloured Medowe Saffron.

This little kinde differeth not from the Spanish kinde last set forth, but in the varietie of the flower, which is as small as the former; the three inner leaues being almost all white, and the three outer leaues some of them pale or blush, and some party coloured, with a little greene on the backe of some of them.

13. _Colchicum Hermodactilum._ Physicall Medowe Saffron.

This Physicall Medowe Saffron springeth vp with his leaues in Autumne, before his flowers appeare beyond the nature of all the former kindes, yet the flower doth, after they are vp, shew it selfe in the middle of the greene leaues, consisting of six white leaues, with diuers chiues in the middle, and passeth away without giuing any seede that euer I could obserue: the greene leaues abide all the Winter and Spring following, decaying about May, and appeare not vntill September, when (as I said) the flowers shew themselues presently after the leaues are sprung vp.

14. _Colchicum atropurpureum._ The darke purple Medowe Saffron.

The greatest difference in this kinde consisteth in the flower, which at the first appearing is as pale a purple, as the flower of the former Hungarian kinde: but after it hath stood in flower two or three dayes, it beginneth to change, and will after a while become to bee of a very deepe reddish purple colour, as also the little foote-stalke whereon it doth stand: the flower is of the bignesse of the Hungarian purple, and so is the greene leafe: the seede and roote is like the English purple kinde.

15. _Colchicum atropurpureum variegatum._ The party coloured darke purple Medowe Saffron.

We haue of late gained another sort of this kinde, differing chiefly in the flower, which is diuersly striped thorough euery leafe of the flower, with a paler purple colour, whereby the flower is of great beauty: this might seeme to bee a degeneration from the former, yet it hath abiden constant with me diuers yeares, and giueth seede as plentifully as the former.

16. _Colchicum flore pleno._ Double flowred Medowe Saffron.

The double Medowe Saffron is in roote and leafe very like unto the English kinde: the flowers are of a fine pale or delayed purple colour, consisting of many leaues set thicke together, which are somewhat smaller, as in the English flower, being narrow and long, and as it were round at the points, which make a very double flower, hauing some chiues with their yellow tips, dispersed as it were among the leaues in the middle: it flowreth in September, a little after the first shew of the earlier Medowe Saffrons are past.

17. _Colchicum variegatum pleno flore._ The party coloured double Medowe Saffron.