Chapter XII: Front Matter (12)

There hath beene brought vnto vs diuers rootes of these kindes, with the dryed flowers remaining on them, wherein there hath beene seene more varieties, then I can well remember to expresse, which variety it is very probable, hath risen by the sowing of the seeds, as is truely obserued in the narrower leafed kinde of Flowerdeluce, in the Tulipa, and in some other plants.

[Sidenote: _Flore luteo._]

Wee haue heard of one of this kinde of broad leafed Flowerdeluces, that should beare a yellow flower, in the like manner as is to be seene in the narrow leafed ones: but I haue not seene any such, and therefore I dare report no further of it, vntill time hath discouered the truth or falshood of the report.

1 _Iris bulbosa latifolia prima Clusii._ Clusius his first great
bulbous Flowerdeluce.
2 _Iris bulbosa maior cærulea siue Anglica._ The great blew of
English bulbous Flowerdeluce.
3 _Iris bulbosa maior purpurea variegata._ The great purple stript
bulbous Flowerdeluce.
4 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia maior alba._ The greater white narrow
leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.
5 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia versicolor._ The party coloured narrow
leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.
6 _Iris bulbosa angustifolia Africana._ The purple African bulbous
narrow leafed Flowerdeluce.
]

The Place.

Lobelius is the first reporter, that the blew Flowerdeluce
or first kinde of these broad leafed Flowerdeluces, groweth
naturally in the West parts of England; but I am in some doubt
of the truth of that report: for I rather thinke, that some in
their trauels through Spaine, or other parts where it groweth,
being delighted with the beauty of the flower, did gather the
rootes, and bring them ouer with them, and dwelling in some of
the West parts of England, planted them, and there encreasing
so plentifully as they doe, they were imparted to many,
thereby in time growing common in all Countrey folkes Gardens
thereabouts. They grow also, and all the other, and many more
varieties, about Tholouse, from whence Plantinianus Gassanus
both sent and brought vs them, with many other bulbous rootes,
and rare plants gathered thereabouts.

The Time.

These doe flower vsually in the end of May, or beginning of
Iune, and their seede is ripe in the end of Iuly or August.

The Names.

Lobel calleth the first English blew Flowerdeluce, _Hyacinthus
Poetarum flore Iridis, & propter Hyacinthinum colorem, id est
violaceum dictus_: but I know not any great good ground for
it, more then the very colour; for it is neither of the forme
of a Lilly, neither hath it those mourning markes imprinted in
it, which the Poet faineth to bee in his Hyacinth. It is most
truely called an _Iris_, or Flowerdeluce (and there is great
difference betweene a Lilly and a Flowerdeluce, for the formes
of their flowers) because it answereth thereunto very exactly,
for the flower, and is therefore called vsually by most,
either _Iris bulbosa Anglica_, or _Iris bulbosa maior siue
latifolia_, for a difference betweene it, and the lesser with
narrow leaues: In English, eyther The great English bulbous
Flowerdeluce, or the great broad leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce,
which you will, adding the other name, according to the colour.

And thus much for these broad leafed bulbous Flowerdeluces, so much as hath come to our knowledge. Now to the seuerall varieties of the narrow leafed bulbous Flowerdeluces, so much likewise as we haue been acquainted with.

_Iris bulbosa minor siue angustifolia alba._ The smaller white or narrow leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.

This first Flowerdeluce, which beareth the smaller flower of the two white ones, that are here to bee described, springeth out of the ground alwaies before Winter, which after breaketh forth into foure or fiue small and narrow leaues, a foote long or more, of a whitish greene on the inside, which is hollow and chanalled, and of a blewish greene colour on the outside, and round withall: the stalke of this kinde is longer and slenderer then the former, with some shorter leaues vpon it, at the toppe whereof, out of short skinny leaues, stand one or two flowers, smaller, shorter, and rounder then the flowers of the former broad leafed Flowerdeluces, but made after the same proportion with nine leaues, three falling downewards, with a yellow spot in the middle, other three are made like a long arch, which couer the lower part next the stalke of those falling leaues, and turne vp at the ends of them, where they are diuided into two parts: the other three stand vpright, betweene each of the three falling leaues, being somewhat long and narrow: the flower is wholly, (sauing the yellow spot) of a pure white colour, yet in some hauing a shew of some blew throughout, and in others towards the bottome of the three vpright leaues: after the flowers are past, there rise vp so many long cods or seede vessels, as there were flowers, which are longer and smaller then in the former, and a little bending like a Corner, with three round squares, and round pointed also, which diuiding it selfe when the seede is ripe into three parts, doe shew six seuerall cells or places, wherein is contained such like round reddish yellow seedes, but smaller then the former: the roote is smaller and shorter then the former, and without any haires or threeds, couered with browne thin skinnes, and more plentifull in giuing encrease.

_Iris bulbosa angustifolia alba flore maiore._ The greater white narrow leafed bulbous Flowerdeluce.

I shall not neede to make a seuerall description to euery one of these Flowerdeluces that follow, for that were but to make often repetition of one thing, which being once done, as it is, may well serue to expresse all the rest, and but onely to adde the especiall differences, either in leafe or flower, for bignesse, colour, or forme, as is expedient to expresse and distinguish them seuerally. This greater white bulbous Flowerdeluce is like vnto the last described in all parts, sauing that it is a little larger and higher, both in leafe, stalke, and flower, and much whiter then any of these mixed sorts that follow, yet not so white as the former: the roote hereof is likewise a little bigger and rounder in the middle.

_Albescens._ Milke white.

There is another, whose falling leaues haue a little shew of
yellownesse in them, and so are the middle ridges of the arched
leaues, but the vpright leaues are more white, not differing in
roote or leafe from the first white.

_Argentea._ Siluer colour.

And another, whose falls are of a yellowish white, like the
last, the arched leaues are whiter, and the vpright leaues of a
blewish white, which we call a siluer colour.

_Albida._ Whitish.

Another hath the fals yellowish, and sometimes with a little
edge of white about them, and sometimes without; the vpright
leaues are whitish, as the arched leaues are, yet the ridge
yellower.

_Albida labris luteis._ White with yellow fals.

Another hath his fals yellow, and the vpright leaues white,
all these flowers are about the same bignesse with the first.

_Albida angustior._ The narrow white.

But we haue another, whose flower is smaller, and almost as
white as the second, the lower leaues are small, and doe as
it were stand outright, not hauing almost any fal at all,
so that the yellow spot seemeth to be the whole leafe, the
arched leaues are not halfe so large as in the former, and
the vpright leaues bowe themselues in the middle, so that the
tops doe as it were meete together.

And another of the same, whose falling leaues are a little
more eminent and yellow, with a yellower spot.

_Aurea siue lutea Hispanica._ The Spanish yellow.

We haue another kinde that is called the Spanish yellow, which
riseth not vp so high, as ordinarily most of the rest doe, and
is wholly of a gold yellow colour.

_Pallide lutea._ Straw colour.

There is another, that vsually riseth higher then the former
yellow, and is wholly of a pale yellow, but deeper at the spot.

_Albida lutea._ Pale Straw colour.

There is also another like vnto the pale yellow, but that the
falling leaues are whiter then all the rest of the flower.

_Mauritanica flaua serotina minor._ The small Barbary yellow.

There is a smaller or dwarfe kinde, brought from the backe
parts of Barbary, neare the Sea, like vnto the yellow, but
smaller and lower, and in stead of vpright leaues, hath small
short leaues like haires: it flowreth very late, after all
others haue almost giuen their seede.

_Versicolor Hispanica cærulea labris albis._ The party coloured Spanish.

We haue another sort is called the party coloured Spanish
bulbous Flowerdeluce, whose falling leaues are white, the
arched leaues of a whitish siluer colour, and the vpright
leaues of a fine blewish purple.

_Diuersitas._ The diuersity or variation of this flower.

Yet sometimes this doth vary; for the falling leaues will haue
either an edge of blew, circling the white leaues, the arched
leaues being a little blewer, and the vpright leaues more
purple.

Or the fals will be almost wholly blew, edged with a blewer
colour, the arched leaues pale blew, and the vpright leaues of
a purplish blew Violet colour.

Or the fals white, the arched leaues pale white, as the vpright
leaues are.

Of not of so faire a blewish purple, as the first sort is.

Some of them also will haue larger flowers then others, and be
more liberall in bearing flowers: for the first sort, which
is the most ordinary, seldome beareth aboue one flower on a
stalke, yet sometimes two. And of the others there are some
that will beare vsually two and three flowers, yet some againe
will beare but one. All these kindes smell sweeter then many of
the other, although the most part are without sent.

_Cærulea siue purpurea minor Lusitanica præcox._ The small early purple Portugall.

There is another kinde, that is smaller in all the parts
thereof then the former, the stalke is slender, and not so
high, bearing at the toppe one or two small flowers, all wholly
of a faire, blewish purple, with a yellow spot in euery one
of the three falling leaues, this vsually flowreth early, euen
with the first bulbous Flowerdeluces.

_Purpurea maior._ The greater purple.

We haue another purple, whose flower is larger, and stalke
higher, and is of a very reddish purple colour, a little aboue
the ground, at the foote or bottome of the leaues and stalke:
this flowreth with the later sort of Flowerdeluces.

_Purpurea serotina._ The late purple.

There is another, whose flower is wholly purple, except the
yellow spot, and flowreth later then any of the other purples.

_Purpurea rubescens labris cæruleis._ A reddish purple with blew fals.

There is yet another purple, whose vpright leaues are of a
reddish purple, and the falling leaues of a blew colour.

_Purpurea rubescens labris albido cæruleis._ A reddish purple with whitish blew fals.

And another of a reddish purple, whose falling leaues are of a
whitish blew colour, in nothing else differing from the last.

_Purpurea labris luteis._ Party coloured purple & yellow.

Another hath his falling leaues of a faire gold yellow, without
any stripe, yet in some there are veines running through the
yellow leaues, and some haue an edge of a sullen darke colour
about them: the vpright leaues in euery of these, are a Violet
purple.

_Purpurea labris ex albido cærulea & luteo mixtis._ Party coloured purple with stript yellow fals.

Another is altogether like this last, but that the falling
leaues are of a pale blew and yellow, trauersing one the other,
and the arched leaues of a pale purplish colour.

_Subpurpurea labris luteis._ Pale purple with yellow fals.

Another hath his vpright leaues of a paler purple, and the
falling leaues yellow.

A paler purple.

And another little differing from it, but that the arched
leaues are whitish.

_Subcærulea labris luteis._ Party coloured blew and yellow.

Another whose vpright leaues are of a pale blew, and the
falling leaues yellow.

And another of the same sort, but of a little paler blew.

_Crinis coloris elegantioris._ A faire haire colour.

We haue another sort, whose vpright leaues are of a faire
brownish yellow colour, which some call a _Fuille mort_, and
others an haire colour; the falling leaues yellow.

_Altera obsoletior._ A dull haire colour.

And another of the same colour, but somewhat deader.

_Iris bulbosa Africana serpentriæ caule._ The purple or murrey bulbous Barbary Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce as it is more strange (that is, but lately knowne and possessed by a few) so it is both more desired, and of more beauty then others. It is in all respects, of roote, leafe, and flower, for the forme like vnto the middle sort of these Flowerdeluces, onely the lowest part of the leaues and stalke, for an inch or thereabouts, next vnto the ground, are of a reddish colour, spotted with many spots, and the flower, being of a meane size, is of a deepe purplish red or murrey colour the whole flower throughout, except the yellow spot in the middle of the three lower or falling leaues, as is in all others.

_Purpurea cærulea obsoleta labris fuscis._ The duskie party coloured purple.

And lastly, there is another sort, which is the greatest of
all these narrow leafed Flowerdeluces, in all the parts of it;
for the roote is greater then any of the other, being thicke
and short: the leaues are broader and longer, but of the same
colour: the stalke is stronger and higher then any of them,
bearing two or three flowers, larger also then any of the rest,
whose falling leaues are of a duskie yellow, and sometimes with
veines and borders about the brimmes, of another dunne colour,
yet hauing that yellow spot that is in all: the arched leaues
are of a sullen pale purplish yellow, and the vpright leaues of
a dull or duskie blewish purple colour: the heads or hornes for
seede are likewise greater, and so is the seede also a little.

The Place.

These Flowerdeluces haue had their originall out of Spaine and
Portugall, as it is thought, except those that haue risen by
the sowing, and those which are named of Africa.

The Time.

These flower in Iune, and sometimes abide vnto Iuly, but
vsually not so early as the former broad leafed kindes, and are
soone spoiled with wet in their flowring.

The Names.

The seuerall names, both in Latine and English, are sufficient
for them as they are set downe; for we know no better.

The Vertues.

There is not any thing extant or to be heard, that any of
these kindes of Flowerdeluces hath been vsed to any Physicall
purposes, and serue onely to decke vp the Gardens of the
curious.

And thus much for these sorts of bulbous Flowerdeluces, and yet I doubt not, but that there are many differences, which haue risen by the sowing of the seede, as many may obserue from their owne labours, for that euery yeare doth shew forth some variety that is not seene before. And now I will conuert my discourse a while likewise, to passe through the seuerall rankes of the other kindes of tuberous rooted Flowerdeluces, called Flagges.

CHAP. XX.

_Iris latifolia tuberosa._ The Flagge or Flowerdeluce.

There are two principall kindes of tuberous or knobby rooted Flowerdeluces, that is, the tall and the dwarfe, or the greater and the lesser; the former called _Iris maior_ or _latifolia_, and the other _Iris minor_, or rather _Chamæiris_; and each of these haue their lesser or narrow leafed kindes to bee comprehended vnder them: Of all which in their order. And first of that Flowerdeluce, which for his excellent beautie and raritie, deserueth the first place.

_Iris Chalcedonica siue Susiana maior._ The great Turkie Flowerdeluce.

The great Turkie Flowerdeluce, hath diuers heads of long and broad fresh greene leaues, yet not so broad as many other of those that follow, one folded within another at the bottome, as all other of these Flowerdeluces are: from the middle of some one of those heads (for euery head of leaues beareth not a flower) riseth vp a round stiffe stalke, two foote high, at the toppe whereof standeth one flower (for I neuer obserued it to beare two) the largest almost, but rarest of all the rest, consisting of nine leaues, like the others that follow, but of the colour almost of a Snakes skinne, it is so diuersly spotted; for the three lower falling leaues are very large, of a deepe or darke purple colour, almost blacke, full of grayish spots, strakes, and lines through the whole leaues, with a blacke thrume or freeze in the middle of each of them: the three arched leaues that couer them, are of the same darke purple colour, yet a little paler at the sides, the three vpper leaues are very large also, and of the same colour with the lower leaues, but a little more liuely and fresh, being speckled and straked with whiter spots and lines; which leaues being laid in water, will colour the water into a Violet colour, but if a little Allome be put therein, and then wrung or pressed, and the iuice of these leaues dryed in the shadow, will giue a colour almost as deepe as Indico, and may serue for shawdowes in limming excellent well: the flower hath no sent that can be perceiued, but is onely commendable for the beauty and rarity thereof: it seldome beareth seedes in these cold Countries, but when it doth, it is contained in great heads, being brownish and round, but not so flat as in other sorts, the roots are more browne on the outside, and growing tuberous thicke, as all other that are kept in Gardens.

_Iris Chalcedonica siue Susiana minor._ The lesser Turkie Flowerdeluce.

There is another hereof little differing, but that the leafe is of a more yellowish greene colour, and the flower neither so large or faire, nor of so perspicuous markes and spots, nor the colour of that liuely (though darke) lustre.

The Place.

These haue been sent out of Turkie diuers times among other
things, and it should seeme, that they haue had their originall
from about Susis, a chiefe Citie of Persia.

The Time.

They flower in May most vsually, before any of the other kindes.

The Names.

They haue been sent vnto vs, and vnto diuers other in other
parts, from Constantinople vnder the name of _Alaia Susiana_,
and thereupon it hath been called, both of them and vs, either
_Iris Chalcedonica_, or _Susiana_, and for distinction _maior_
or _minor_: In English, The Turkie Flowerdeluce, or the Ginnie
Hen Flowerdeluce, the greater or the lesser.

_Iris alba Florentina._ The white Flowerdeluce.

The great white Flowerdeluce, hath many heads of very broad and flat long leaues, enclosing or folding one within another at the bottome, and after a little diuided one from another toward the top, thin edged, like a sword on both sides, and thicker in the middle: from the middle of some of these heads of leaues, riseth vp a round stiffe stalk, two or three foot high, bearing at the top one, two, or three large flowers, out of seuerall huskes or skins, consisting of nine leaues, as all the other do, of a faire white colour, hauing in the middle of each of the three falling leaues, a small long yellow frize or thrume, as is most vsuall in all the sorts of the following Flowerdeluces, both of the greater and smaller kindes: after the flowers are past, come the seed, inclosed in thicke short pods, full fraught or stored with red roundish and flat seede, lying close one vpon another: the roote is tuberous or knobby, shooting out from euery side much like tuberous heads, lying for the most part vpon or aboue the ground, and fastened within the ground with long white strings or fibres, which hold them

[Sidenote: _Flore pallido._]

strongly, and encreaseth fast. There is another like vnto this last in all things, sauing that the colour of the flower is of a more yellowish white, which we vsually call a Straw colour.

_Iris alba maior versicolor._ The white party coloured Flowerdeluce.

This variable Flowerdeluce is like vnto the former, but that the leaues are not so large and broad, the flower hereof is as large almost, and as white as the former, but it hath a faire list or line of a blewish purple downe the backe of euery one of the three vpright leaues, and likewise round about the edges, both of the vpper and lower leaues, and also a little more purplish vpon the ridge of the arched leaues, that couer the falling leaues: the roote hereof is not so great as of the former white, but a little slenderer and browner.

_Iris Dalmatica maior._ The great Dalmatian Flowerdeluce.

This greater Flowerdeluce of Dalmatia, hath his leaues as large and broad as any of the Flowerdeluces whatsoeuer, his stalke and flower doe equall his other proportion, onely the colour of the flower is differing, being of a faire watchet or bleake blew colour wholly, with the yellow frize or thrum downe the middle of the lower or falling leaues, as before is said to be common to all these sorts of Flowerdeluces; in all other parts it little differeth, sauing onely this is obserued to haue a small shew of a purplish red about the bottome of the greene leaues.

_Iris purpurea siue vulgaris._ The common purple Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce, which is most common in Gardens, differeth nothing at all from those that are formerly described, either in roote, leafe, or flower for the forme of them, but onely that the leaues of this are not so large as the last, and the flower it selfe is of a deep purple or Violet colour, and sometimes a little declining to rednesse, especially in some places.

[Sidenote: _Purpurea pallidior versicolor._]

Sometimes this kinde of Flowerdeluce will haue flowers of a paler purple colour, comming neare vnto a blew, and sometimes it will haue veines or stripes of a deeper blew, or purple, or ash-colour, running through all the vpper and lower leaues.

[Sidenote: _Cærulea labris purpureis._]

There is another like vnto this, but more purple in the fals, and more pale in the vpright leaues.

_Iris Asiatica cærulea._ The blew Flowerdeluce of Asia.

This Flowerdeluce of Asia, is in largenesse of leaues like vnto the Dalmatian, but beareth more store of flowers on seuerall branches, which are of a deeper blew colour, and the arched leaues whitish on the side, and purplish on the ridges, but in other things like vnto it.

[Sidenote: _Purpurea._]

There is another neare vnto this, but that his leaues are a little narrower, and his flowers a little more purple, especially the vpper leaues.

_Iris Damascena._ The Flowerdeluce of Damasco.

This is likewise altogether like the Flowerdeluce of Asia, but that it hath some white veines in the vpright leaues.

_Iris Lusitanica biflora._ The Portugall Flowerdeluce.

This Portugall Flowerdeluce is very like the common purple Flowerdeluce, but that this is not so large in leaues, or flowers, and that it doth often flower twice in a yeare, that is, both in the Spring, and in the Autumne againe, and besides, the flowers haue a better or sweeter sent, but of the like purple or Violet colour as it is, and comming forth out of purplish skins or huskes.

_Iris Camerarij siue purpurea versicolor maior._ The greater variable coloured purple Flowerdeluce.

The greater of the variable purple Flowerdeluces, hath very broad leaues, like vnto the leaues of the common purple Flowerdeluce, and so is the flower also, but differing in colour, for the three lower leaues are of a deepe purple colour tending to rednesse, the three arched leaues are of the colour with the vpper leaues, which are of a pale or bleake colour tending to yellownesse, shadowed ouer with a smoakie purplish colour, except the ridges of the arched leaues, which are of a more liuely purple colour.

_Iris purpurea versicolor minor._ The lesser variable purple Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce differeth not in any thing from the last, but onely that it hath narrower greene leaues, and smaller and narrower flowers, else if they be both conferred together, the colours will not seeme to varie the one from the other any whit at all.

[Sidenote: _Altera minus fuliginea._]

There is another somewhat neare vnto these two last kindes, whose huskes from whence the flowers doe shoote forth, haue purple veines in them, and so haue the falling purplish leaues, and the three vpright leaues are not so smoakie, yet of a dun purple colour.

_Iris cærulea versicolor._ The blew party coloured Flowerdeluce.

This party coloured Flowerdeluce hath his leaues of the same largenesse, with the lesser variable purple Flowerdeluce last described, and his flowers diuersly marked: for some haue the fals blew at the edges, and whitish at the bottome, the arched leaues of a yellowish white, and the vpright leaues of a whitish blew, with yellowish edges. Some againe are of a darker blew, with brownish spots in them. And some are so pale a blew, that we may well call it an ash-colour: And lastly, there is another of this sort, whose vpright leaues are of a faire pale blew, with yellowish edges, and the falling leaues parted into two colours, sometimes equally in the halfe, each side sutable to the other in colour: And sometimes hauing the one leafe in that manner: And sometimes but with a diuers coloured list in them; in the other parts both of flower and leafe, like vnto the other.

_Iris lutea variegata._ The yellow variable Flowerdeluce.

This yellow variable Flowerdeluce loseth his leaues in Winter, contrary to all the former Flowerdeluces, so that his roote remaineth vnder ground without any shew of leafe vpon it: but in the beginning of the Spring it shooteth out faire broad leaues, falling downwards at the points or ends, but shorter many times then any of the former, and so is the stalke likewise, not rising much aboue a foote high, whereon are set two or three large flowers, whose falling leaues are of a reddish purple colour, the three that stand vpright of a smoakie yellow, the arched leaues hauing their ridges of a bleake colour tending to purple, the sides being of the former smoakie yellow colour, with some purplish veines at the foote or bottome of all the leaues: the roote groweth somewhat more slender and long vnder ground, and of a darker colour then manie of the other.

Another sort hath the vpright leaues of a reasonable faire yellow, and stand more vpright, not bowing downe as most of the other, and

[Sidenote: _Varietas._]

the purple fals haue pale edges. Some haue their greene leaues party coloured, white and greene, more or lesse, and so are the huskes of the flowers, the arched leaues yellow, as the vpright leaues are, with purplish veines at the bottome. And some haue both the arched and vpright leaues of so pale a yellow, that we may almost call it a straw colour, but yellower at the bottome, with purple veines, and the falling leaues purple, with two purple spots in them.

And these are the sorts of the greater tuberous or Flagge Flowerdeluces that haue come to our knowledge: the next hereunto are the lesser or narrow leafed kindes to be described; and first of the greatest of them.

1. _Iris angustifolia Tripolitana aurea._ The yellow Flowerdeluce of Tripoly.

This Flowerdeluce I place in the forefront of the narrow leafed Flowerdeluces, for the length of the leaues, compared with the breadth of them; it may fitly bee called a narrow leafed Flowerdeluce, although they be an inch broad, which is broader then any of them that follow, or some of those are set downe before, but as I said, the length make them seem narrow, and therefore let it take vp his roome in this place, with the description that followeth. It beareth leaues a yard long, or not much lesse, and an inch broad, as is said before, or more, of a sad greene colour, but not shining: the stalke riseth vp to be foure of fiue foote high, being strong and round, but not very great, bearing at the toppe two or three long and narrow gold yellow flowers, of the fashion of the bulbous Flowerdeluces, as the next to bee described is, without any mixture or variation therein: the heads for seede are three square, containing within them many flat cornered seedes: the roote is long and blackish, like vnto the rest that follow, but greater and fuller.

1 _Iris Chalcedonica siue Susiana maior._ The great Turkie
Flowerdeluce.
2 _Iris alba Florentina._ The white Flowerdeluce.
3 _Iris latifolia variegata._ The variable Flowerdeluce.
4 _Chamæiris latifolia maior._ The greater dwarfe Flowerdeluce.
]

2. _Iris angustifolia maior cærulea._ The greater blew Flowerdeluce with narrow leaues.

This kinde of Flowerdeluce hath his leaues very long and narrow, of a whitish greene colour, but neither so long or broad as the last, yet broader, thicker and stiffer then any of the rest with narrow leaues that follow: the stalke riseth sometimes no higher then the leaues, and sometimes a little higher, bearing diuers flowers at the top, successiuely flowring one after another, and are like vnto the flowers of the bulbous Flowerdeluces, but of a light blew colour, and sometimes deeper: after the flowers are past, rise vp six cornered heads, which open into three parts, wherein is contained browne seede, almost round: the roote is small, blackish and hard, spreading into many long heads, and more closely growing or matting together.

3. _Iris angustifolia purpurea marina._ The purple narrow leafed Sea Flowerdeluce.

This Sea Flowerdeluce hath many narrow hard leaues as long as the former, and of a darke greene colour, which doe smell a little strong: the stalke beareth two or three flowers like the former, but somewhat lesse, and of a darke purple or Violet colour: in seede and roote it is like the former.

4. _Iris angustifolia purpurea versicolor._ The variable purple narrow leafed Flowerdeluce.

The leaues of this Flowerdeluce are very like the former Sea Flowerdeluce, and do a little stinke like them; the flowers are differing, in that the vpper leaues are wholly purple or violet, and the lower leaues haue white veines, and purple running one among another: the seede and rootes differ not from the former purple Sea kinde.

5. _Iris angustifolia minor Pannonica siue versicolor Clusij._ The small variable Hungarian Flowerdeluce of Clusius.

This Hungarian Flowerdeluce (first found out by Clusius, by him described, and of him tooke the name) riseth vp with diuers small tufts of leaues, very long, narrow, and greene, growing thicke together, especially if it abide any time in a place; among which riseth vp many long round stalkes, higher then the leaues, bearing two or three, or foure small flowers, one aboue another, like the former, but smaller and of greater beauty: for the lower leaues are variably striped with white and purple, without any thrume or fringe at all; the vpper leaues are of a blewish fine purple or Violet colour, & so are the arched leaues, yet hauing the edges a little paler: the heads for seede are smaller, and not so cornered as the other, containing seedes much like the former, but smaller: the roote is blacke and small, growing thicker and closer together then any other, and strongly fastened in the ground, with a number of hard stringie rootes: the flowers are of a reasonable good sent.

6. _Iris angustifolia maior flore duplici._ The greater double blew Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce, differeth not either in roote or leafe from the first great blew Flowerdeluce of Clusius, but onely in that the leaues grow thicker together, and that the flowers of this kinde are as it were double with many leaues confusedly set together, without any distinct parts of a Flowerdeluce, and of a faire blew colour with many white veines and lines running in the leaues; yet oftentimes the stalke of flowers hath but two or three small flowers distinctly set together, rising as it were out of one huske.

1 _Iris angustifolia Tripolitana._ The yellow Flowerdeluce of
Tripoli.
2 _Iris angustifolia maior cærulea._ The greater blew Flowerdeluce
with narrow leaues.
3 _Iris angustifolia minor Pannonica siue versicolor Clusii._ The
small variable Hungarian Flowerdeluce of Clusius.
4 _Iris angustifolia maior flore duplici._ The greater double blew
Flowerdeluce.
5 _Chamæiris angustifolia minor._ The lesser Grasse Flowerdeluce.
6 _Iris tuberosa._ The veluet Flowerdeluce.
]

7. _Iris angustifolia minor alba Clusij._ The small white Flowerdeluce of Hungary.

This likewise differeth little from the former Hungarian Flowerdeluce of Clusius, but that the leafe is of a little paler greene colour, and the flower is of a faire whitish colour, with some purple at the bottome of the leaues.

Next after these narrow leafed Flowerdeluces, are the greater and smaller sorts of dwarfe kindes to follow; and lastly, the narrow or grasse leafed dwarfe kindes, which will finish this Chapter of Flowerdeluces.

1. _Chamæiris latifolia maior alba._ The greater white dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

This dwarfe Flowerdeluce hath his leaues as broad as some of the lesser kindes last mentioned, but not shorter; the stalke is very short, not aboue halfe a foote high or thereabouts, bearing most commonly but one flower, seldome two, which are in some of a pure white, in others paler, or somewhat yellowish through the whole flower, except the yellow frize or thrume in the middle of euery one of the falling leaues: after the flowers are past, come forth great heads, containing within them round pale seed: the roote is small, according to the proportion of the plant aboue ground, but made after the fashion of the greater kindes, with tuberous peeces spreading from the sides, and strong fibres or strings, whereby they are fastened in the ground.

2. _Chamæiris latifolia maior purpurea._ The greater purple dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

There is no difference either in roote, leafe, or forme of flower in this from the former dwarfe kinde, but onely in the colour of the flower, which in some is of a very deepe or blacke Violet purple, both the toppes and the fals: in others the Violet purple is more liuely, and in some the vpper leaues are blew, and the lower leaues purple, yet all of them haue that yellow frize or thrume in the middle of the falling leaues, that the other kindes haue.

[Sidenote: _Altera._]

There is another that beareth purple flowers, that might be reckoned, for the smalnesse and shortnesse of his stalke, to the next kinde, but that the flowers and leaues of this are as large as any of the former kindes of the smaller Flowerdeluces.

3. _Chamæiris latifolia minor alba._ The lesser white dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

There is also another sort of these Flowerdeluces, whose leaues and flowers are lesse, and wherein there is much variety. The leaues of this kinde, are all for the most part somewhat smaller, narrower, and shorter then the former: the stalke with the flower vpon it scarce riseth above the leaues, so that in most of them it may be rather called a foote-stalke, such as the Saffron flowers haue, and are therefore called of manie ἄκαυλοι, without stalkes; the flowers are like vnto the first described of the dwarfe kindes, and of a whitish colour, with a few purplish lines at the bottome of the vpper leaues, and a list of greene in the falling leaues.

[Sidenote: _Straminea._]

Another hath the flowers of a pale yellow, called a Straw colour, with whitish stripes and veines in the fals, and purplish lines at the bottome of the vpper leaues.

4. _Chamæiris latifolia minor purpurea._ The lesser purple dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

The difference of this from the former, consisteth more in the colour then forme of the flower, which is of a deep Violet purple, sometimes paler, and sometimes so deep, that it almost seemeth blacke: And sometimes the fals purplish, and the vpper leaues blew. Some of these haue a sweete sent, and some none.

[Sidenote: _Cærulea._]

There is another of a fine pale or delayed blew colour throughout the whole flower.

5. _Chamæiris latifolia minor suauerubens._ The lesser blush coloured dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce hath the falling leaues of the flower of a reddish colour, and the thrumes blew: the vpper and arched leaues of a fine pale red or flesh colour, called a blush colour; in all other things it differeth not, and smelleth little or nothing at all.

6. _Chamæiris latifolia minor lutea versicolor._ The lesser yellow variable dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

The falling leaues of this Flowerdeluce are yellowish, with purple lines from the middle downewards, sometimes of a deeper, and sometimes of a paler colour, and white thrumes in the middle, the vpper leaues are likewise of a yellowish colour, with purple lines in them: And sometimes the yellow colour is paler, and the lines both in the vpper and lower leaues of a dull or dead purple colour.

7. _Chamæiris latifolia minor cærulea versicolor._ The lesser blew variable dwarfe Flowerdeluce.

The vpper leaues of this flower are of a blewish yellow colour, spotted with purple in the broad part, and at the bottome very narrow: the falling leaues are spread ouer with pale purplish lines, and a small shew of blew about the brimmes: the thrume is yellow at the bottome, and blewish aboue: the arched leaues are of a blewish white, being a little deeper on the ridge.

And sometimes the vpper leaues are of a paler blew rather whitish, with the yellow: both these haue no sent at all.

8. _Chamæiris marina purpurea._ The purple dwarfe Sea Flowerdeluce.

This small Flowerdeluce is like vnto the narrow leafed Sea Flowerdeluce before described, both in roote, leafe, and flower, hauing no other difference, but in the smalnesse and lownesse of the growing, being of the same purple colour with it.

9. _Chamæiris angustifolia maior._ The greater Grasse Flowerdeluce.

This Grasse Flowerdeluce hath many long and narrow darke greene leaues, not so stiffe as the former, but lither, and bending their ends downe againe, among which rise vp diuers stalkes, bearing at the toppe two or three sweete flowers, as small as any of them set downe before, of a reddish purple colour, with whitish yellow and purple strakes downe the middle of the falling leaues: the arched leaues are of a horse flesh colour all along the edges, and purple vpon the ridges and tips that turne vp againe: vnder these appeare three browne aglets, like vnto birds tongues: the three vpper leaues are small and narrow, of a perfect purple or Violet colour: the heads for seede haue sharper and harder cornered edges then the former: the seedes are somewhat grayish like the former, and so are the rootes, being small, blacke, and hard, growing thicke together, fastened in the ground with small blackish hard strings, which hardly shoote againe if the roote be remoued.

10. _Chamæiris angustifolia minor._ The lesser Grasse Flowerdeluce.

This Flowerdeluce is in leaues, flowers, and rootes so like the last described, that but onely it is smaller and lower, it is not to be distinguished from the other. And this may suffice for these sorts of Flowerdeluces, that furnish the Gardens of the curious louers of these varieties of nature, so farre forth as hath passed vnder our knowledge. There are some other that may be referred hereunto, but they belong to another history; and therefore I make no mention of them in this place.

The Place.

The places of most of these are set downe in their seuerall
titles; for some are out of Turkie, others out of Hungaria,
Dalmatia, Illyria, &c. as their names doe import. Those that
grow by the Sea, are found in Spaine and France.

The Time.

Some of these do flower in Aprill, some in May, and some not
vntill Iune.

The Names.

The names expressed are the fittest agreeing vnto them, and
therefore it is needlesse againe to repeate them. Many of the
rootes of the former or greater kindes, being dryed are sweete,
yet some more then other, and some haue no sent at all: but
aboue all the rest, that with the white flower, called of
Florence, is accounted of all to be the sweetest root, fit to
be vsed to make sweete powders, &c. calling it by the name of
_Orris_ rootes.

_Iris tuberosa._ The Veluet Flowerdeluce.

Vnto the Family of Flowerdeluces, I must needes ioyne this peculiar kinde, because of the neare resemblance of the flower, although it differ both in roote and leafe; lest therefore it should haue no place, let it take vp a roome here in the end of the Flowerdeluces, with this description following. It hath many small and foure square leaues, two foote long and aboue sometimes, of a grayish greene colour, stiffe at the first, but afterwards growing to their full length, they are weak and bend downe to the ground: out of the middle, as it were of one of these leaues, breaketh out the stalke, a foot high and better, with some leaues thereon, at the toppe whereof, out of a huske riseth one flower, (I neuer saw more on a stalke) consisting of nine leaues, whereof the three that fall downe are of a yellowish greene colour round about the edges, and in the middle of so deepe a purple, that it seemeth to be blacke, resembling blacke Veluet: the three arched leaues, that couer the lower leaues to the halfe, are of the same greenish colour that the edges and backside of the lower leaues are: the three vppermost leaues, if they may be called leaues, or rather short peeces like eares, are green also, but wherein a glimpse of purple may be seene in them: after the flower is past, there followeth a round knob or whitish seede vessell, hanging downe by a small foote-stalke, from betweene the huske, which is diuided as it were into two leaues, wherein is contained round white seede. The roote is bunched or knobbed out into long round rootes, like vnto fingers, two or three from one peece, one distant from another, and one longer then another, for the most part of a darkish gray colour, and reddish withall on the outside, and somewhat yellowish within.

The Place.

It hath beene sent out of Turkie oftentimes (as growing
naturally thereabouts) and not knowne to grow naturally any
where else.

The Time.

It flowreth in Aprill or May, sometimes earlier or later, as
the Spring falleth out to be milde or sharpe.

The Names.

Matthiolus contendeth to make it the true _Hermodadactylus_,
rather from the shew of the rootes, which (as is said) are
like vnto fingers, then from any other good reason: for the
rootes hereof eyther dry or greene, do nothing resemble the
true _Hermodactyli_ that are vsed in Physicke, as any that
knoweth them may easily perceiue, either in forme or vertue. It
is more truely referred to the Flowerdeluces, and because of
the tuberous rootes, called _Iris tuberosa_, although all the
Flowerdeluces in this Chapter haue tuberous rootes, yet this
much differing from them all. In English it is vsually called,
The Veluet Flowerdeluce, because the three falling leaues seeme
to be like smooth blacke Veluet.

The Vertues.

Both the rootes and the flowers of the great Flowerdeluces,
are of great vse for the purging and cleansing of many inward,
as well as outward diseases, as all Authors in Physicke doe
record. Some haue vsed also the greene rootes to cleanse the
skinne, but they had neede to be carefull that vse them, lest
they take more harme then good by the vse of them. The dryed
rootes called _Orris_ (as is said) is of much vse to make
sweete powders, or other things to perfume apparrell or linnen.
The iuice or decoction of the green roots doth procure both
neezing to be snuft vp into the nostrils, and vomiting very
strongly being taken inwardly.

CHAP. XXI.

_Gladiolus._ Corne Flagge.

Next vnto the Flagges or Flowerdeluces, come the _Gladioli_ or Corne Flagges to bee entreated of, for some resemblance of the leaues with them. There are hereof diuers sorts, some bigger and some lesser, but the chiefest difference is in the colour of the flowers, and one in the order of the flowers. Of them all in their seuerall orders.

_Gladiolus narbonensis._ The French Corne Flagge.

The French Corne Flagge riseth vp with three or foure broad, long, and stiffe greene leaues, one as it were out of the side of another, being ioyned together at the bottome, somewhat like vnto the leaues of Flowerdeluces, but stiffer, more full of ribbes, and longer then many of them, and sharper pointed: the stalke riseth vp from among the leaues, bearing them on it as it riseth, hauing at the toppe diuers huskes, out of which come the flowers one aboue another, all of them turning and opening themselues one way, which are long and gaping, like vnto the flowers of Foxegloue, a little arched or bunching vp in the middle, of a faire reddish purple colour, with two white spots within the mouth thereof, one on each side, made like vnto a Lozenge that is square and long pointed: after the flowers are past, come vp round heads or seede vessels, wherein is contained reddish flat seede, like vnto the seede of the Fritillaria, but thicker and fuller: the roote is somewhat great, round, flat, and hard, with a shew as if it were netted, hauing another short spongie one vnder it, which when it hath done bearing, and the stalke dry, that the roote may be taken vp, sticketh close to the bottome, but may be easily taken away, hauing vsually a number of small rootes encreased about it, the least whereof will quickly grow, so that if it be suffered any long time in a Garden, it will rather choake and pester it, then be an ornament vnto it.

_Gladiolus Italicus binis florum ordinibus._ The Italian Corne Flagge.

The Italian Corne Flagge is like vnto the French in roote, leafe, and flower, without any other difference, then that the roote is smaller and browner, the leafe and stalke of a darker colour, and the flowers (being of a little darker colour like the former, and somewhat smaller) stand out on both sides of the stalke.

_Gladiolus Byzantinus._ Corne Flagge of Constantinople.

This Corne Flagge that came first from Constantinople, is in all things like vnto the French Corne Flagge last described, but that it is larger, both in rootes, leaues, and flowers, and likewise that the Flowers of this, which stand not on both sides, are of a deeper red colour, and flower later, after all the rest are past: the roote hereof being netted as plainly as any of the former, is as plentifull also to giue encrease, but is more tender and lesse able to abide our sharpe cold Winters.

_Gladiolus flore rubente._ Blush Corne Flagge.

This blush kinde is like vnto the French Corne Flagge in all respects, sauing onely that the flowers are of a pale red colour, tending to whitenesse, which wee vsually call a blush colour.

_Gladiolus flore albo._ White Corne Flagge.

This white Corne Flagge also differeth not from the last, but onely that the rootes are whiter on the outside, the leaues are greener, without any brownesse or darknesse as in the former, and the flowers are snow white.

_Gladiolus purpureus minor._ The small purple Corne Flagge.

This also differeth not from any of the former, but onely in the smallnesse both of leafe, stalke, and flowers, which stand all on the one side, like vnto the French kinde, and of the same colour: the roote of this kinde is netted more then any other.

The Place.

They grow in France and Italy, the least in Spaine, and the
Byzantine, as it is thought, about Constantinople, being (as
is said) first sent from thence. Iohn Tradescante assured mee,
that hee saw many acres of ground in Barbary spread ouer with
them.

The Time.

They all flower in Iune and Iuly, and the Byzantine latest, as
is said before.

The Names.

It hath diuers names; for the Latines call it _Gladiolus_,
of the forme of a sword, which the leafe doth resemble. The
Romanes _Segetalis_, because it groweth in the Corne fields.
Some call it _Victorialis rotunda_, to put a difference between
it, and the _longa_, which is a kinde of Garlicke. Plinie
saith, that _Gladiolus_ is _Cypirus_, but to decide that
controuersie, and many others, belongeth to another discourse,
this being intended only for pleasure. Gerrard mistaketh the
French kinde for the Italian.

The Vertues.

The roote being bruised, and applyed with Frankinsense (and
often of it selfe without it) in the manner of a pultis or
plaister, is held of diuers to be singular good to draw out
splinters, thornes, and broken bones out of the flesh. Some
take it be effectuall to stirre vp Venerie, but I somewhat
doubt thereof: For Galen in his eighth Booke of Simples, giueth
vnto it a drawing, digesting and drawing faculty.

1 _Gladiolus Narbonensis._ The French Corne Flagge.
2 _Gladiolus Italicus._ The Italian Corne Flagge.
3 _Gladiolus Byzantinus._ Corne Flagge of Constantinople.
4 _Palma Christi mas._ The great male handed Satyrion.
5 _Orchis Hermaphroditica candida._ The white Butterflie Orchis.
6 _Orchis Melitias siue apifera._ The Bee flower or Bee Orchis.
7 _Dens Caninus flore purpurante._ Dogges tooth Violet with a pale
purplish flower.
8 _Dens Caninus flore albo._ Dogges tooth Violet with a white
flower.
]

CHAP. XXII.

_Orchis siue Satyrium._ Bee flowers.

Although it is not my purpose in this place, to giue a generall history of all the sorts of Orchides, Satyrions, and the rest of that kinde; yet because many of them are very pleasant to behold, and, if they be planted in a conuenient place, will abide some time in Gardens, so that there is much pleasure taken in them: I shall intrude some of them for curiosities sake, to make vp the prospect of natures beautifull variety, and only entreate of a few, leauing the rest to a more ample declaration.

1. _Satyrium Basilicum siue Palma Christi mas._ The greater male handed Satyrion.

This handed Satyrion hath for the most part but three faire large greene leaues, neare vnto the ground, spotted with small blackish markes: from among which riseth vp a stalke, with some smaller leaues thereon, bearing at the toppe a bush or spike of flowers, thicke set together, euery one whereof is made like a body, with the belly broader belowe then aboue, where it hath small peeces adioyned vnto it: the flower is of a faire purple colour, spotted with deeper purple spots, and hauing small peeces like hornes hanging at the backes of the flowers, and a small leafe at the bottome of the foote-stalke of euery flower: the rootes are not round, like the other Orchides, but somewhat long and flat, like a hand, with small diuisions belowe, hanging downe like the fingers of a hand, cut short off by the knockles, two alwayes growing together, with some small fibres or strings aboue the heads of these rootes, at the bottome of the stalke.

2. _Satyrium Basilicum siue Palma Christi fæmina._ The female handed Satyrion.

This female Satyrion hath longer and narrower leaues then the former, and spotted with more and greater spots, compassing the stalke at the bottome like the other: this beareth likewise a bush of flowers, like vnto the other, but that each of these haue heads like hoods, whereas the former haue none: in some they are white with purple spots, and in others of a reddish purple, with deepe or darke coloured spots: the roots are alike.

3. _Orchis Hermaphroditica candida._ The white Butterflie Orchis.

The rootes of this kinde take part with both the sorts of _Orchis_ and _Satyrium_, being neither altogether round, nor fully handed, and thereupon it tooke the name, to signifie both kindes: the leaues are two in number, seldome more, being faire and broad, like vnto the leaues of Lillies, without any spot at all in them: at the toppe of the stalke stand many white flowers, not so thicke set as the first or second, euery one being fashioned like vnto a white Butterflie, with the wings spread abroad.

4. _Orchis Melitias siue apifera._ The Bee flower or Bee Orchis.

This is a small and lowe plant for the most part, with three or foure small narrow leaues at the bottome: the stalke is seldome above halfe a foote high, with foure or fiue flowers thereon one aboue another, hauing round bodies, and somewhat flat, of a kind of yellowish colour, with purple wings aboue them, so like vnto an honey Bee, that it might soone deceiue one that neuer had seene such a flower before: the roots are two together, round and white, hauing a certaine _muccilaginesse_ or clamminesse within them, without any taste almost at all, as all or the most part of these kindes haue.

5. _Orchis Sphegodes._ Gnats Satyrion.

The leaues of this Orchis are somewhat larger then of the Bee flower, the stalke also somewhat higher: the flowers are fewer on the toppe, but somewhat larger then of the Bee flowers, made to the resemblance of a Gnat or great long Flie: the rootes are two round bulbes, as the other are.

6. _Orchis Myodes._ Flie Orchis.