Chapter XXI: Front Matter (21)

There are two principall kindes of Peonie, that is to say, the Male and the Female. Of the male kinde, I haue onely known one sort, but of the Female a great many; which are thus to be distinguished. The male his leafe is whole, without any particular diuision, notch or dent on the edge, & his rootes long & round, diuided into many branches, somewhat like to the rootes of Gentian or Elecampane, and not tuberous at all. The Female of all sorts hath the leaues diuided or cut in on the edges, more or lesse, and hath alwaies tuberous rootes, that is, like clogs or Asphodill rootes, with many great thick round peeces hanging, or growing at the end of smaller strings, and all ioyned to the toppe of the maine roote.

1. _Pæonia mas._ The Male Peonie.

The Male Peonie riseth vp with many brownish stalkes, whereon doe grow winged leaues, that is, many faire greene, and sometimes reddish leaues, one set against another vpon a stalke, without any particular diuision in the leafe at all: the flowers stand at the toppes of the stalkes, consisting of fiue or six broade leaues, of a faire purplish red colour, with many yellow threds in the middle, standing about the head, which after riseth to be the seede vessels, diuided into two, three or foure rough crooked pods like hornes, which when they are ful ripe, open and turn themselues down one edge to another backeward, shewing within them diuers round black shining seede, which are the true seede, being full and good, and hauing also many red or crimson graines, which are lancke and idle, intermixed among the blacke, as if they were good seede, whereby it maketh a very pretty shew: the roots are great, thick and long, spreading in the ground, and running downe reasonable deepe.

2. _Pæonia fæmina vulgaris flore simplici._ The ordinary single Female Peonie.

This ordinary Female Peonie hath many stalkes, with more store of leaues on them then the Male kinde hath, the leaues also are not so large, but diuided or nicked diuersly on the edges, some with great and deepe, and others with smaller cuts or diuisions, and of a darke or dead greene colour: the flowers are of a strong heady sent, most vsually smaller then the male, and of a more purple tending to a murrey colour, with yellow thrumes about the head in the middle, as the male kinde hath: the heads or hornes with seed are like also but smaller, the seede also is blacke, but lesse shining: the rootes consist, as I said, of many thicke and short tuberous clogs, fastened at the ends of long strings, and all from the head of the roote, which is thicke and short, and tuberous also, of the same or the like sent with the male.

3. _Pæonia fæmina vulgaris flore pleno rubro._ The double red Peonie.

This double Peonie as well as the former single, is so frequent in euerie Garden of note, through euery Countrey, that it is almost labour in vaine to describe it: but yet because I vse not to passe ouer any plant so slightly, I will set down the description briefly, in regard it is so common. It is very like unto the former single female Peony, both in stalkes and leaues, but that it groweth somewhat higher, and the leaues are of a fresher greene colour: the flowers at the tops of the stalkes are very large, thicke and double (no flower that I know so faire, great, and double; but not abiding blowne aboue eight or ten daies) of a more reddish purple colour then the former female kinde, and of a sweeter sent: after these flowers are past, sometimes come good seed, which being sowne, bring forth some single flowers, and some double: the rootes are tuberous, like vnto the former female.

4. _Pæonia fæmina flore carneo simplici._ The single blush Peony.

The single blush Peony hath his stalkes higher, and his leaues of a paler or whiter greene colour then the double blush, and more white vnderneath (so that it is very probable it is of another kinde, and not risen from the seede of the double blush, as some might thinke) with many veines, that are somewhat discoloured from the colour of the leafe running through them: the flowers are very large and single, consisting of fiue leaues for the most part, of a pale flesh or blush colour, with an eye of yellow dispersed or mixed therewith, hauing many whitish threads, tipt with yellow pendents standing about the middle head: the rootes are like the other female Peonies.

5. _Pæonia fæmina flore pleno albicante._ The double blush Peony.

The double blush Peony hath not his stalkes so high as the double red, but somewhat lower and stiffer, bearing such like winged leaues, cut in or diuided here and there in the edges, as all these female kindes are, but not so large as the last: the flowers are smaller, and lesse double by a good deale then the former double red, of a faint shining crimson colour at the first opening, but decaying or waxing paler euery day: so that after it hath stood long (for this flower sheddeth not his leaues in a great while) it will change somewhat whitish; and therefore diuers haue ignorantly called it, the double white Peony: the seedes, which sometimes it beareth, and rootes, are like vnto the former female kindes, but somewhat longer, and of a brighter colour on the outside.

6. _Pæonia fæmina Byzantina._ The single red Peony of Constantinople.

This red Peony of Constantinople is very like in all things vnto the double red Peonie, but that the flowers hereof are single, and as large as the last, and that is larger then either the single female, or the male kinde, consisting of eight leaues, of a deeper red colour then either the single or double Peonies, and not purplish at all, but rather of the colour of an ordinary red Tulipa, standing close and round together: the roots of this kinde haue longer clogs, and not so short as of the ordinary female kinde, and of a paler colour on the outside.

The Place.

All these Peonies haue beene sent or brought from diuers parts
beyond the Seas; they are endenized in our Gardens, where
wee cherish them for the beauty and delight of their goodly
flowers, as well as for their Physicall vertues.

The Time.

They all flower in May, but some (as I said) abide a small
time, and others many weekes.

1 _Pæonia mas cum semine._ The male Peony & the seed.
2 _Pæonia fæmina Byzantina._ The female red Peony of Constantinople.
3 _Pæonia fæmina flore pleno vulgaris._ The ordinary double Peony.
4 _Pæonia flore pleno albicante._ The double white Peony.
5 _Helleborus vernus atrorubente flore._ The early white Ellebor
with a darke red flower.
6 _Helleborus niger verus._ The Christmas flower.
7 _Calceolus Mariæ._ Our Ladies Slipper.
]

The Names.

The name _Pæonia_ is of all the later Writers generally
giuen to these plants, although they haue had diuers other
names giuen by the elder Writers, as _Rosa fatuina_, _Idæus
dactylus_, _Aglaophotis_, and others, whereof to set downe
the causes, reasons, and errours, were to spend more time then
I intend for this worke. Wee call them in English, Peonie, and
distinguish them according to their titles.

The Vertues.

The male Peony roote is farre aboue all the rest a most
singular approued remedy for all Epilepticall diseases, in
English, The falling sicknesse (and more especially the greene
roote then the dry) if the disease be not too inueterate, to
be boyled and drunke, as also to hang about the neckes of the
younger sort that are troubled herewith, as I haue found it
sufficiently experimented on many by diuers. The seede likewise
is of especiall vse for women, for the rising of the mother.
The seede of the female kinde, as well as the rootes, are most
vsually sold, and may in want of the other be (and so are
generally) vsed.

CHAP. LXXXI.

_Helleborus niger._ Beares foote.

There are three sorts of blacke Hellebor or Beares foote, one that is the true and right kinde, whose flowers haue the most beautifull aspect, and the time of his flowring most rare, that is, in the deepe of Winter about Christmas, when no other can bee seene vpon the ground: and two other that are wilde or bastard kindes, brought into many Gardens for their Physicall properties; but I will only ioyne one of them with the true kinde in this worke, and leaue the other for another.

1. _Helleborus niger verus._ The true blacke Hellebor, or Christmas flower.

The true blacke Hellebor (or Beare foote as some would call it, but that name doth more fitly agree with the other two bastard kindes) hath many faire greene leaues rising from the roote, each of them standing on a thicke round fleshly stiffe greene stalke, about an hand breadth high from the ground, diuided into seuen, eight, or nine parts or leaues, and each of them nicked or dented, from the middle of the leafe to the pointward on both sides, abiding all the Winter, at which time the flowers rise vp on such short thicke stalkes as the leaues stand on, euery one by it selfe, without any leafe thereon for the most part, or very seldome hauing one small short leafe not much vnder the flower, and very little higher then the leaues themselues, consisting of fiue broad white leaues, like vnto a great white single Rose (which sometimes change to be either lesse or more purple about the edges, as the weather or time of continuance doth effect) with many pale yellow thrummes in the middle, standing about a greene head, which after groweth to haue diuers cods set together, pointed at the ends like hornes, somewhat like the seede vessels of the _Aconitum hyemale_, but greater & thicker, wherein is contained long, round, and blackish seede, like the seede of the bastard kindes: the rootes are a number of brownish strings running downe deepe into the ground, and fastened to a thicke head, of the bignesse of a finger at the toppe manie times, and smaller still downewards.

2. _Helleboraster minor._ The lesser bastard blacke Hellebor, or Beare foote.

The smaller Beare foote is in most things like vnto the former true blacke Hellebor; for it beareth also many leaues vpon short stalkes, diuided into many leaues also, but each of them are long and narrow, of a blacker greene colour, snipt or dented on both edges, which feele somewhat hard or sharpe like prickes, and perish euery yeare, but rise againe the next Spring: the flowers hereof stand on higher stalkes, with some leaues on them also, although but very few, and are of a pale, greene colour, like in forme vnto the flowers of the former, but smaller, hauing also many greenish yellow threads or thrums in the middle, and such like heads or seede vessels, and blackish seed: the rootes are stringie and blackish like the former.

The Place.

The first groweth onely in the Gardens of those that are
curious, and delight in all sorts of beautifull flowers in our
Countrey, but wilde in many places of Germany, Italy, Greece,
&c.

The other groweth wilde in many places of England, as well
as the other greater sort, which is not here described; for
besides diuers places within eight or ten miles from London,
I haue seen it in the Woods of Northamptonshire, and in other
places.

The Time.

The first of these plants doth flower in the end of December,
and beginning of Ianuary most vsually, and the other a moneth
or two after, and sometime more.

The Names.

The first is called _Helleborus_, or _Elleborus niger verus_,
and is the same that both Theophrastus and Dioscorides haue
written of, and which was called _Melampodion_, of Melampus
the Goateheard, that purged and cured the mad or melancholicke
daughters of Prætus with the rootes thereof. Dodonæus calleth
it _Veratrum nigrum primum_, and the other _secundum_: Wee
call it in English, The true blacke Hellebor, or the Christmas
flower, because (as I said) it is most commonly in flower at
or before Christmas. The second is a bastard or wilde kinde
thereof, it so nearely resembleth the true, and is called of
most of the later Writers, _Pseudoelleborus niger minor_, or
_Helleboraster minor_, for a distinction betweene it and the
greater, which is not here described: and is called in English,
The smaller or lesser Beare foote, and most vsed in Physicke,
because it is more plentifull, yet it is more churlish and
strong in operation then the true or former kinde.

The Vertues.

The rootes of both these kindes are safe medecines, being
rightly prepared, to be vsed for all Melancholicke diseases,
whatsoeuer others may feare or write, and may be without danger
applied, so as care and skill, and not temerary rashnesse doe
order and dispose of them.

The powder of the dryed leaues, especially of the bastard
kinde, is a sure remedy to kill the wormes in children,
moderately taken.

CHAP. LXXXII.

_Elleborus albus._ White Ellebor or Neesewort.

There are two sorts of great white Ellebors or Neeseworts, whereas there was but one kinde knowne to the Ancients; the other being found out of later dayes: And although neither of both these haue any beauty in their flowers, yet because their leaues, being faire and large, haue a goodly prospect, I haue inserted them in this place, that this Garden should not be vnfurnished of them, and you not vnacquainted with them.

1. _Elleborus albus vulgaris._ White Ellebor or Neesing roote.

The first great white Ellebor riseth at the first out of the ground, with a whitish greene great round head, which growing vp, openeth it selfe into many goodly faire large greene leaues, plaited or ribbed with eminent ribbes all along the leaues, compassing one another at the bottome, in the middle whereof riseth vp a stalke three foot high or better, with diuers such like leaues thereon, but smaller to the middle thereof; from whence to the toppe it is diuided into many branches, hauing many small yellowish, or whitish greene starre-like flowers all along vpon them, which after turne into small, long, three square whitish seede, standing naked, without any huske to containe them, although some haue written otherwise: the roote is thicke and reasonable great at the head, hauing a number of great white strings running downe deepe into the ground, whereby it is strongly fastened.

2. _Elleborus albus præcox siue atrorubente flore._ The early white Ellebor with reddish flowers.

This other Ellebor is very like the former, but that it springeth vp a moneth at the least before it, and that the leaues are not fully so thicke or so much plaited, but as large or larger, and doe sooner perish and fall away from the plant: the stalke hereof is as high as the former, bearing such like starry flowers, but of a darke or blackish red colour: the seede is like the other: the roote hath no such head as the other (so farre as I haue obserued, both by mine own and others plants) but hath many long white strings fastened to the top, which is as it were a long bulbous scaly head, out of which spring the leaues.

The Place.

The first groweth in many places of Germany, as also in some
parts of Russia, in that aboundance, by the relation of that
worthy, curious, and diligent searcher and preseruer of all
natures rarities and varieties, my very good friend, Iohn
Tradescante, often heretofore remembred, that, as hee said, a
good ship might be loaden with the rootes hereof, which hee saw
in an Island there.

The other likewise groweth in the vpland wooddy grounds of
Germanie, and other the parts thereabouts.

The Time.

The first springeth vp in the end or middle of March, and
flowreth in Iune. The second springeth in February, but
flowreth not vntill Iune.

The Names.

The first is called _Elleborus albus_, or _Helleborus albus_,
the letter _H_, as all Schollers know, being but _aspirationis
nota_: and _Veratrum album flore viridante_, of some _Sanguis
Herculis_. The other is called _Elleborus albus præcox_, and
_flore atrorubente_, or _atropurpurante_. We call the first in
English, White Ellebor, Neesewort, or Neesing roote, because
the powder of the roote is vsed to procure neesing; and I call
it the greater, in regard of those in the next Chapter. The
other hath his name according to the Latine title, most proper
for it.

The Vertues.

The force of purging is farre greater in the roote of this
Ellebor, then in the former; and therefore is not carelessly
to bee vsed, without extreame danger; yet in contumatious
and stubborne diseases it may bee vsed with good caution
and aduice. There is a Syrupe or Oxymel made hereof in the
Apothecaries shops, which as it is dangerous for gentle and
tender bodies, so it may be very effectuall in stronger
constitutions. Pausanias _in Phocicis_, recordeth a notable
stratagem that Solon vsed in besieging the Citie of Cirrheus,
_viz._ That hauing cut off the riuer Plistus from running into
the Citie, he caused a great many of these rootes to be put
into a quantity thereof, which after they had steeped long
enough therein, and was sufficiently infected therewith, he let
passe into the Citie againe: whereof when they had greedily
drunke, they grew so weake and feeble by the superpurgation
thereof, that they were forced to leaue their wals vnmand,
and not guarded, whereby the Amphyctions their enemies became
masters of their Citie. The like stratagems are set downe by
diuers other Authors, performed by the helpe of other herbes.

CHAP. LXXXIII.

_Elleborine._ Small or wilde white Ellebor.

The likenesse of the leaues of these plants, rather then any other faculty with the former white Ellebor, hath caused them to be called _Elleborine_, as if they were smaller white Ellebors. And I for the same cause haue ioyned them next, whereof there are found many sorts: One which is the greater kinde, is of greatest beauty; the other which are lesser differ not much one from another, more then in the colour of the flowers, whereof I will onely take three, being of the most beautie, and leaue the rest to another worke.

1. _Helleborine vel Elleborine maior, siue Calceolus Mariæ._ Our Ladies Slipper.

This most beautifull plant of all these kindes, riseth vp with diuers stalkes, a foote and a halfe high at the most, bearing on each side of them broad greene leaues, somewhat like in forme vnto the leaues of the white Ellebor, but smaller and not so ribbed, compassing the stalke at the lower end; at the tops of the stalkes come forth one, or two, or three flowers at the most, one aboue another, vpon small short foote-stalkes, with a small leafe at the foote of euery stalke: each of these flowers are of a long ouall forme, that is, more long then round, and hollow withall, especially at the vpper part, the lower being round and swelling like a belly: at the hollow part there are two small peeces like eares or flippets, that at the first doe couer the hollow part, and after stand apart one from another, all which are of a fine pale yellow colour, in all that I haue seene (yet it is said there are some found, that are more browne or tending to purple) there are likewise foure long, narrow, darke coloured leaues at the setting on of the flower vnto the stalke, wherein as it were the flower at the first standeth: the whole flower is of a pretty small sent: the seede is very small, very like vnto the seede of the _Orchides_ or Satyrions, and contained in such like long pods, but bigger: the roots are composed of a number of strings enterlacing themselues one within another, lying within the vpper crust of the earth, & not spreading deep, of a darke brownish colour.

2. _Elleborine minor flore albo._ The small or wilde white Ellebor with a white flower.

This smaller wilde white Ellebor riseth vp in the like manner vnto the former, and not much lower, bearing such like leaues, but smaller, and of a winter greene colour, almost of the colour and fashion of the leaues of Lilly Conually; the top of the stalke hath many more flowers, but lesser, growing together, spike-fashion, with small short leaues at the stalke of euery flower, which consisteth of fiue small white leaues, with a small close hood in the middle, without any sent at all; the seede and seede vessels are like vnto the former, but smaller: the rootes are many small strings, dispersing themselues in the ground.

3. _Elleborine minor flore purpurante._ The small or wilde white Ellebor with blush flowers.

The leaues of this kinde are like vnto the last described, but somewhat narrower: the stalkes and flowers are alike, but smaller also, and of a pale purplish or blush colour, which causeth the difference.

The Place.

The first groweth in very many places of Germany, and in other
Countries also. It groweth likewise in Lancashire, neare vpon
the border of Yorkeshire, in a wood or place called the Helkes,
which is three miles from Ingleborough, the highest Hill in
England, and not farre from Ingleton, as I am informed by a
courteous Gentlewoman, a great louer of these delights, called
Mistris Thomasin Tunstall, who dwelleth at Bull-banke, neare
Hornby Castle in those parts, and who hath often sent mee vp
the rootes to London, which haue borne faire flowers in my
Garden. The Second groweth in many places of England, and with
the same Gentlewoman also before remembred, who sent me one
plant of this kinde with the other. The last I haue not yet
knowne to growe in England; but no doubt many things doe lye
hid, and not obserued, which in time may bee discouered, if
our Country Gentlemen and women, and others, in their seuerall
places where they dwell, would be more carefull and diligent,
and be aduertised either by themselues, or by others capable
and fit to be imployed, as occasion and time might serue, to
finde out such plants as growe in any the circuits or limits of
their habitations, or in their trauels, as their pleasures or
affaires leade them. And because ignorance is the chiefe cause
of neglect of many rare things, which happen to their view at
sometimes, which are not to be seene againe peraduenture, or
not in many yeares after, I would heartily aduise all men of
meanes, to be stirred vp to bend their mindes, and spend a
little more time and trauell in these delights of herbes and
flowers, then they haue formerly done, which are not onely
harmlesse, but pleasurable in their time, and profitable in
their vse. And if any would be better enformed, and certified
of such things they know not, I would be willing and ready to
my best skill to aduertise them, that shall send any thing vp
to me where I dwell in London. Thus farre I haue digressed from
the matter in hand, and yet not without some good vse I hope,
that others may make of it.

The Time.

The two first flower earlier then the last, and both the first
about one time, that is, in the end of Aprill, or beginning of
May. The last in the end of May, or in Iune.

The Names.

The first is called _Elleborine recentiorum maior_, and
_Calceolus Mariæ_: Of some thought to be _Cosmosandalos_,
because it is _Sandali forma_. In English we call it our Ladies
Slipper, after the Dutch name. The other two lesser kinds haue
their names in their titles: I haue thought it fit to adde the
title of small white Ellebors vnto these, for the forme sake,
as is before said.

The Vertues.

There is no vse of these in Physicke in our dayes that I know.

CHAP. LXXXIIII.

_Lilium Conuallium._ Lilly Conually.

The remembrance of the Conuall Lilly, spoken of in the precedent Chapter, hath caused me to insert these plants among the rest, although differing both in face and properties; but lest it should lose all place, let it keepe this. It is of two sorts, differing chiefly in the colour of the flowers, the one being white, and the other reddish, as shall be shewed in their descriptions following.

1. _Lilium Conuallium flore albo._ The white Lilly Conually.

The white Conuall or May Lilly, hath three or foure leaues rising together from the roote, one enclosed within another, each whereof when it is open is long and broad, of a grayish shining greene colour, somewhat resembling the leaues of the former wilde Neesewort, at the side whereof, and sometime from the middle of them, riseth vp a small short naked foote-stalke, an hand breadth high or somewhat more, bearing at the toppe one aboue another many small white flowers, like little hollow bottles with open mouths, nicked or cut into fiue or six notches, turning all downewards one way, or on one side of the stalke, of a very strong sweete sent, and comfortable for the memory and senses, which turne into small red berries, like vnto Asparagus, wherein is contained hard white seede: the rootes runne vnder ground, creeping euery way, consisting of many small white strings.

2. _Lilium Conuallium flore rubente._ May Lillies with red flowers.

This other May Lilly differeth neither in roote, leafe, nor forme of flower from that before, but onely in the colour of the flower, which is of a fine pale red colour, being in my iudgement not altogether so sweet as the former.

The Place.

The first groweth aboundantly in many places of England. The
other is a stranger, and groweth only in the Gardens of those
that are curious louers of rarities.

The Time.

They both flower in May, and the berries are ripe in August.

The Names.

The Latines haue no other name for this plant but _Lilium
Conuallium_, although some would haue it to be _Lilium vernum_
of Theophrastus, and others _Oenanthe_ of the same Author.
Gesner thinketh it to be _Callionymus_. Lonicerus to be
_Cacalia_, and Fuchsius to be _Ephemerum non lethale_: but they
are all for the most part mistaken. We call it in English Lilly
Conually, May Lilly, and of some Liriconfancie.

The Vertues.

The flowers of the white kinde are often vsed with those things
that help to strengthen the memory, and to procure ease to
Apoplecticke persons. Camerarius setteth downe the manner of
making an oyle of the flowers hereof, which he saith is very
effectuall to ease the paines of the Goute, and such like
diseases, to be vsed outwardly, which is thus: Hauing filled a
glasse with the flowers, and being well stopped, set it for a
moneths space in an Ants hill, and after being drayned cleare,
set it by to vse.

CHAP. LXXXV.

_Gentiana._ Gentian or Fell-wort.

There are diuers sorts of Gentians or Fell-wortes, some greater, others lesser, and some very small; many of them haue very beautifull flowers, but because some are very suddenly past, before one would thinke they were blowne open, and others will abide no culture and manuring, I will onely set forth vnto you two of the greater sorts, and three of the lesser kindes, as fittest, and more familiarly furnishing our gardens, leauing the rest to their wilde habitations, and to bee comprehended in a generall Worke.

1. _Gentiana maior flore flauo._ The great Gentian.

The great Gentian riseth vp at the first, with a long, round and pointed head of leaues, closing one another, which after opening themselues, lye vpon the ground, and are faire, long and broad, somewhat plaited or ribbed like vnto the leaues of white Ellebor or Neeseworte, but not so fairely or eminently plaited, neyther so stiffe, but rather resembling the leaues of a great Plantane: from among which riseth vp a stiffe round stalke, three foote high or better, full of ioynts, hauing two such leaues, but narrower and smaller at euery ioynt, so compassing about the stalke at the lower end of them, that they will almost hold water that falleth into them: from the middle of the stalke to the toppe, it is garnished with many coronets or rundles of flowers, with two such greene leaues likewise at euery ioynt, and wherein the flowers doe stand, which are yellow, layd open like starres, and rising out of small greenish huskes, with some threds in the middle of them, but of no sent at all, yet stately to behold, both for the order, height and proportion of the plant: the seede is browne and flat, contained in round heads, somewhat like vnto the seede of the _Fritillaria_, or checkerd Daffodill, but browner: the rootes are great, thicke and long, yellow, and exceeding bitter.

2. _Gentiana maior folio Asclepiadis._ Swallow-wort Gentian.

This kinde of Gentian hath many stalkes rising from the roote, neere two foote high, whereon grow many faire pale greene leaues, set by couples, with three ribs in euery one of them, and doe somewhat resemble the leaues of _Asclepias_ or Swallow-wort, that is, broade at the bottome, and sharpe at the point: the flowers grow at the seuerall ioynts of the stalkes, from the middle vpwards, two or three together, which are long and hollow, like vnto a bell flower, ending in fiue corners, or pointed leaues, and folded before they are open, as the flowers of the Bindeweedes are, of a faire blew colour, sometimes deeper, and sometimes paler: the heads or seede vessels haue two points or hornes at the toppes, and containe within them flat grayish seed, like vnto the former, but lesse: the rootes hereof are nothing so great as the former, but are yellow, small and long, of the bignesse of a mans thumbe.

3. _Gentiana minor Cruciata._ Crosse-wort Gentian.

This small Gentian hath many branches lying vpon the ground, scarce lifting themselues vpright, and full of ioynts, whereat grow vsually foure leaues, one opposite vnto another, in manner of a Crosse, from whence it tooke his name, in shape very like vnto _Saponaria_ or Sopewort, but shorter, and of a darker greene colour: at the tops of the stalkes stand many flowers, thick thrusting together, and likewise at the next ioynt vnderneath, euery one of them standing in a darke blewish greene huske, and consisting of fiue small leaues, the points or ends whereof only appeare aboue the huskes wherein they stand, and are hardly to be seene, but that they are of a fine pale blew colour, and that many grow together: the seed is small and brown, hard, and somewhat like vnto the seed of the Marian Violets, or Couentry bels: the roots are small and whitish, dispersing themselues diuersly in the ground, of as bitter a taste almost as the rest

1 _Lilium Conuallium._ Liricon fancy or Lilly Conually.
2 _Gentiana maior._ The great Gentian.
3 _Gentianella verna._ Small Gentian of the Spring.
4 _Gentiana Cruciata._ Crossewort Gentian.
5 _Pneumonanthe seu Gentiana Autumnalis._ Autumne Gentian.
6 _Saponaria flore duplici._ Double flowred Sopewort.
7 _Plantago Rosea._ Rose Plantane.
]

4. _Gentianella Verna._ Small Gentian of the Spring.

The small Gentian of the Spring hath diuers small hard greene leaues, lying vpon the ground, as it were in heads or tufts, somewhat broade below, and pointed at the end, with fiue ribs or veines therein, as conspicuous as in the former Gentians, among which riseth vp a small short stalke, with some smaller leaues thereon, at the toppe whereof standeth one faire, large, hollow flower, made bell fashion, with wide open brimmes, ending in fiue corners or diuisions, of the most excellent deepe blew colour that can be seene in any flower, with some white spots in the bottome on the inside: after the flower is past, there appeare long and round pods, wherein are contained small blackish seede: the rootes are small, long, pale yellow strings, which shoot forth here and there diuers heads of leaues, and thereby encrease reasonable well, if it finde a fit place, and ground to grow, or else will not be noursed vp, with all the care and diligence can be vsed: the whole plant is bitter, but not so strong as the former.

5. _Gentiana Autumnalis siue Pneumonanthe._ Calathian Violet or Autumne Gentian.

This Gentian that flowreth in Autumne, hath in some places higher stalkes then in others, with many leaues thereon, set by couples as in other Gentians, but long and narrow, yet shewing the three ribbes or veines that are in each of them: the toppes of the stalkes are furnished euery one with a flower or two, of an excellent blew purple colour, ending in fiue corners, and standing in long huskes: the rootes are somewhat great at the top, and spreading into many small yellow strings, bitter as the rest are.

6. _Saponaria flore duplici._ Double flowred Sopeworte.

Vnto these kindes of Gentians, I must needes adde these following plants, for that the former is of some neere resemblance in leafe with some of the former. And because the ordinary Sopeworte or Bruiseworte with single flowers is often planted in Gardens, and the flowers serue to decke both the garden and the house; I may vnder the one describe them both: for this with double flowers is farre more rare, and of greater beautie. It hath many long and slender round stalkes, scarce able to sustaine themselues, and stand vpright, being ful of ioynts and ribbed leaues at them, euery one somewhat like a small Gentian or Plantane leafe: at the toppes of the stalkes stand many flowers, consisting of two or three rowes of leaues, of a whitish or pale purple colour, and of a strong sweet sent, somewhat like the smell of Iasmin flowers, standing in long and thicke pale greene huskes, which fall away without giuing any seede, as most other double flowers doe that encrease by the roote, which spreadeth within the ground, and riseth vp in sundry distant places like the single.

7. _Plantago Rosea._ Rose Plantane.

This other plant is in all things like vnto the ordinary Plantane or Ribworte, that groweth wilde abroade in many places, whose leaues are very large: but instead of the long slender spike, or eare that the ordinary hath, this hath eyther a thicke long spike of small greene leaues vpon short stalkes, or else a number of such small greene leaues layd round-wise like vnto a Rose, and sometimes both these may be seene vpon one and the same roote, at one and the same time, which abide a great while fresh vpon the roote, and sometimes also giueth seede, especially from the more long and slender spikes.

The Place.

Some of these Gentians grow on the toppes of hils, and some on
the sides and foote of them in Germany and other Countreyes:
some of them also vpon barren heaths in those places, as also
in our owne Countrey, especially the Autumne Gentian, and as
it is reported, the Vernall likewise. The single or ordinary
Sopeworte is found wilde in many places with vs, but the double
came to vs from beyond the Sea, and is scarce known or heard of
in England. The Rose Plantaine hath beene long in England, but
whether naturall thereof or no, I am not assured.

The Time.

They flower for the most part in Iune and Iuly, but the small
Gentian of the Spring flowreth somewhat earlier, and that of
the Autumne in August and September.

The Names.

_Gentiana_ is the generall name giuen to the Gentians. We call
them in English Gentian, Fellworte, Bitterwort, and Baldmoney.
_Saponaria_ taketh his name from the scouring qualitie it hath:
Wee call it in English Sopewort, and in some places Bruisewort.
Some haue thought it to bee _Struthium_ of Dioscorides, or
at least haue vsed it for the same causes, but therein they
are greatly deceiued, as Matthiolus hath very well obserued
thereon, and so is Dodonæus, that thought it to be _Alisma_.
The Rose Plantaine is so called of the double spikes it
carrieth.

The Vertues.

The wonderfull wholsomnesse of Gentian cannot bee easily knowne
to vs, by reason our daintie tastes refuse to take thereof,
for the bitternesse sake: but otherwise it would vndoubtedly
worke admirable cures, both for the liuer, stomacke and lunges.
It is also a speciall counterpoison against any infection, as
also against the violence of a mad dogges tooth: wilde Sopewort
is vsed in many places, to scoure the countrey womens treen,
and pewter vessels, and physically some make great boast to
performe admirable cures in Hydropicall diseases, because it
is diureticall, and in _Lue Veneria_, when other Mercuriall
medicines haue failed. The Rose Plantaine no doubt hath the
same qualities that the ordinary hath.

CHAP. LXXXVI.

_Campanula._ Bell-flowers.

Under the title of Bell-flowers are to bee comprehended in this Chapter, not only those that are ordinarily called _Campanula_, but _Viola Mariana_, and _Trachelium_ also, whereof the one is called Couentry, the other Canterbury Bells.

1. _Campanula Persicifolia alba, vel cærulea._ Peach-leafed Bell-flowers white or blew.

The Peach-leafed Bell-flower hath many tufts, or branches of leaues lying vpon the ground, which are long and narrow, somewhat like vnto the leafe of an Almond or Peach tree, being finely nicked about the edges, and of a sad greene colour, from among which rise vp diuers stalkes, two foote high or more, set with leaues to the middle, and from thence vpwards, with many flowers standing on seuerall small foote-stalkes, one aboue another, with a small leafe at the foote of euery one; the flowers stand in small greene huskes, being small and round at the bottome, but wider open at the brimme, and ending in fiue corners, with a three forked clapper in the middle, set about with some small threds tipt with yellow, which flowers in some plants are pure white, and in others of a pale blew or watchet colour, hauing little or no sent at all: the seede is small, and contained in round flat heads, or seede vessels: the roote is very small, white and threddy, creeping vnder the vpper crust of the ground, so that oftentimes the heat and drought of the Summer will goe near to parch and wither it vtterly: it requireth therefore to be planted in some shadowie place.

2. _Campanula maior, siue Pyramidalis._ The great or steeple Bell-flower.

This great Bell-flower hath diuers stalkes, three foote high or better, whereon grow diuers smooth, darke, greene leaues, broade at the bottome, and small at the point, somewhat vneuenly notched about the edges, and standing vpon longer footestalkes below then those aboue: the flowers are blew, and in some white, not so great or large as the former, but neare of the same fashion, growing thicker and more plentifully together, with smaller leaues among them, burning thicke below, and rising smaller and thinner vp to the toppe, in fashion of a _Pyramis_ or speere Steeple: the roote is thicke and whitish, yeelding more store of milke being broken (as the leaues and stalks also doe) then any other of the Bell-flowers, euery one whereof doe yeelde milke, some more and some lesse.

3. _Viola Mariana flore albido vel purpureo._ Couentry Bels white or purple.

The leaues of Couentry Bels are of a pale or fresh greene colour, long, and narrow next vnto the bottome, and broader from the middle to the end, and somewhat round pointed, a little hairy all ouer, and snipt about the edges: the stalkes rise vp the yeare after the sowing, being somewhat hairy also, and branching forth from the roote, into diuers parts, whereon stand diuers leaues, smaller then the former, and of a darker greene colour: at the end of euery branch stand the flowers, in greene huskes, from whence come large, round, hollow Bels, swelling out in the middle, and rising somewhat aboue it, like the necke of a pot, and then ending in fiue corners, which are either of a faire or faint white, or of a pale blew purplish colour, and sometimes of a deeper purple or violet: after the flowers are past, there rise vp great square, or cornered seede vessels, wherein is contained in diuers diuisions, small, hard, shining, browne, flat seeds: the roote is white, and being young as in the first yeares sowing, is tender, and often eaten as other Rampions are; but the next yeare, when it runneth vp to seede, it groweth hard, and perisheth: so that it is to be continued by euery other yeares sowing.

4. _Trachelium maius flore albo vel purpureo._ Great Canterbury Bels white or purple.

The greater Canterbury Bels, or Throateworte, hath many large rough leaues, somewhat like vnto Nettle leaues, being broad and round at the bottome, and pointed at the end, notched or dented on the edges, and euery one standing on a long footstalk: among these leaues rise vp diuers square rough stalkes, diuided at the toppe into diuers branches, whereon grow the like leaues as grow below, but lesser; toward the ends of the branches stand the flowers, mixed with some longer leaues, euery one in his seuerall huske, which are hollow, long and round, like a bell or cup, wide open at the mouth, and cut at the brimme into fiue corners, or diuisions, somewhat lesser then the Couentry Bels, in some of a pure white, and others of a faire deepe purple violet colour, and sometimes paler: after the flowers are past, come smaller and rounder heades then in the former, containing flat seede, but blacker, and not so redde as the last: the roote is hard and white, dispersing it selfe into many branches vnder ground, not perishing euery yeare as the former (although it loseth all the leaues in winter) but abiding many yeares, and encreasing into diuers heades or knobs, from whence spring new leaues and branches.

1 _Campanula persicifolia._ Peach leafed Bell-flower.
2 _Trachelium maius simplex._ Canterbury Bels.
* _Trachelium flore duplici._ Double Canterbury Bels.
3 _Viola Mariana._ Couentry Bels.
4 _Trachelium Giganteum._ Giants Throatewort.
5 _Trachelium minus._ The lesser Throatewort.
6 _Trachelium Americanum siue Cardinalis planta._ The rich crimson
Cardinals flower.
]

5. _Trachelium maius flore duplici albo & cæruleo._ Canterbury Bels with double flowers both white and blew.

Of this kinde of Throateworte or Canterbury Bels, there is another sort, not differing in any thing from the former, but in the doublenesse of the flower: For there is of both the kindes, one that beareth double white flowers, and the other blew: Of each whereof I receiued plants from friends beyond the Sea, which grow well with me.

6. _Trachelium Giganteum flore purpurante._ Pale purple Giants Throateworte.

This Bell-flower, although it hath a Gigantine name, yet did I neuer perceiue it in my garden, to rise vp higher then the former, the epithite beeing in my perswasion, only giuen for difference sake: the leaues whereof are not so rough, but as large, and dented about the edges, somewhat larger pointed, and of a fresher greene colour: the stalkes beare such like leaues on them, but more thinly or dispersedly set, hauing a flower at the setting on of euery one of the leaues, from the middle vpwards, and are somewhat like the great Throateworte in forme, but of a pale or bleake reddish purple colour, turning the brims or corners a little backwards, with a forked clapper in the middle, sufficient eminent and yellow: the seede hereof is white, and plentifull in the heads, which will abide all the winter vpon the stalkes, vntill all the seede being shed, the heads remaining seeme like torne rags, or like thin peeces of skin, eaten with wormes: the roote is great, thicke and white, abiding long without perishing.

[Sidenote: _Flore albo._]

There is another which differeth not any thing but in the flower, which is white.

7. _Trachelium minus flore albo & purpureo._ Small Throateworte or Canterbury Bells both white and purple.

The lesser Throateworte hath smaller leaues, nothing so broade or hard as the former great kinde, but long, and little or nothing dented about the edges: the stalkes are square and brownish, if it beare purple flowers, and greene if it beare white flowers, which in forme are alike, and grow in a bush or tuft, thicke set together, more then any of the former, and smaller also, being not much bigger then the flowers of the fielde, or garden Rampions: the roote is lasting, and shooteth afresh euery yeare.

8. _Trachelium Americanum flore ruberrimo, siue Planta Cardinalis._ The rich crimson Cardinals flower.

This braue plant, from a white roote spreading diuers wayes vnder ground, sendeth forth many greene leaues, spread round about the head thereof, each whereof is somewhat broade and long, and pointed at the end, finely also snipt about the edges; from the middle whereof ariseth vp a round hollow stalke, two foote high at the least, beset with diuers such leaues as grow below, but longer below then aboue, and branching out at the toppe aboundantly, euery branch bearing diuers greene leaues on them, and one at the foote of euery of them also, the toppes whereof doe end in a great large tuft of flowers, with a small greene leafe at the foote of the stalke of euery flower, each footestalke being about an inch long, bearing a round greene huske, diuided into fiue long leaues or points turned downwards, and in the midst of euery of them a most rich crimson coloured flower, ending in fiue long narrow leaues, standing all of them foreright, but three of them falling downe, with a long vmbone set as it were at the backe of them, bigger below, and smaller aboue, and at the toppe a small head, being of a little paler colour then the flower, but of no sent or smell at all, commendable only for the great bush of so orient red crimson flowers: after the flowers are past, the seede commeth in small heads, closed within those greene husks that held the flowers, which is very like vnto the seede vessels of the _Viola Mariana_, or Couentry Bels, and is small and brownish.

The Place.

All these Bell-flowers do grow in our Gardens, where they are
cherished for the beautie of their flowers. The Couentry Bels
doe not grow wilde in any of the parts about Couentry, as I am
credibly informed by a faithfull Apothecary dwelling there,
called Master Brian Ball, but are noursed in Gardens with them,
as they are in other places. The last groweth neere the riuer
of Canada, where the French plantation in America is seated.

The Time.

They flower from May vntill the end of Iuly or August, and
in the mean time the seed is ripe: But the Peache-leafed
Bell-flowers, for the most part, flower earlier then the other.

The Names.

The first is generally called _Campanula Perficifolia_,
in English Peach-leafed Bell-flower. The second is called
_Campanula maior_, _Campanula lactescens Pyramidalis_, and
_Pyramidalis Lutetiana_ of Lobel, in English, Great or Steeple
Bell-flower. The third is vsually called _Viola Mariana_, and
of some _Viola Marina_. Lobel putteth a doubt whether it be not
_Medium_ of Dioscorides, as Matthiolus and others doe thinke;
but in my opinion the thicknesse of the roote, as the text hath
it, contradicteth all the rest. We call it generally in English
Couentry Bels. Some call it Marian, and some Mercuries Violets.
The fourth and fift are called _Trachelium_ or _Cervicaria_,
of some _Vvularia_, because many haue vsed it to good purpose,
for the paines of the _Vvula_, or Throate: Yet there is another
plant, called also by some _Vvularia_, which is _Hippoglossum_,
Horse tongue, or Double tongue. The sixt hath his title to
descipher it out sufficiently, as is declared. The seuenth is
called _Trachelium minus_, and _Ceruicaria minor_, of some
_Saponaria altera_; in English, Small Throateworte, or Small
Canterbury Bels. The last hath his name in the title, as it is
called in France, from whence I receiued plants for my Garden
with the Latine name: but I haue giuen it in English.

The Vertues.

The Peach-Bels as well as the others may safely bee vsed in
gargles and lotions for the mouth, throate, or other parts, as
occasion serueth. The rootes of many of them, while they are
young, are often eaten in sallets by diuers beyond the Seas.

CHAP. LXXXVII.

_Campana Cærulea siue Convolvulus Cæruleus._ Blew Bell flowers, or blew Bindeweede.

There are two other kindes of Bell-flowers, much differing from the Tribe or Familie of the former, because of their climbing or winding qualitie, which I must needes place next them, for the likenesse of the flowers, although otherwise they might haue beene placed with the other clamberers that follow. Of these there is a greater, and a lesser, and of each likewise some difference, as shall be declared.

1. _Convolvulus cæruleus maior rotundifolius._ The greater blew Bindweede, or Bell-flower with round leaues.

This goodly plant riseth vp with many long and winding branches, whereby it climbeth and windeth vpon any poles, herbes, or trees, that stand neare it within a great compasse, alwaies winding it selfe contrary to the course of the Sunne: on these branches doe growe many faire great round leaues, and pointed at the end, like vnto a Violet leafe in shape, but much greater, of a sad greene colour: at the ioynts of the branches, where the leaues are set, come forth flowers on pretty long stalkes, two or three together at a place, which are long, and pointed almost like a finger, while they are buds, and not blowne open, and of a pale whitish blew colour, but being blowne open, are great and large bels, with broad open mouths or brims ending in fine corners, and small at the bottome, standing in small greene huskes of fine leaues: these flowers are of a very deepe azure or blew colour, tending to a purple, very glorious to behold, opening for the most part in the euening, abiding so all the night and the next morning, vntill the Sunne begin to growe somewhat hot vpon them, and then doe close, neuer opening more: the plant carrieth so many flowers, if it stand in a warme place, that it will be replenished plentifully, vntill the cold ayres and euenings stay the luxury thereof: after the flowers are past, the stalkes whereon the flowers did stand, bend downwards, and beare within the huskes three or foure blacke seedes, of the bignesse of a Tare or thereabouts: the rootes are stringy, and perish euery yeare.

2. _Convolvulus trifolius siue hederaceus purpureus._ The greater purple Bindeweede, or Bell-flower with cornered leaues.

The growing and forme of this Bindeweede or Bell-flower, is all one with the former, the chiefest differences consisting in the forme of the leafe, which in this is three cornered, like vnto an Iuie leafe with corners; and in the flower, which is of a deeper blew, tending more to a deepe purple Violet, and somewhat more reddish in the fiue plaites of each flower, as also in the bottomes of the flowers.

3. _Convolvulus tenuifolius Americanus._ The red Bell-flower of America.

Although this rare plant (because wee seldome haue it, and can as hardly keepe it) be scarce knowne in these cold Countries, yet I could not but make mention of it, to incite those that haue conueniencie to keepe it, to be furnished of it. It springeth vp at the first from the seede with two leaues, with two long forked ends, which abide a long time before they perish, betweene which riseth vp the stalke or stemme, branching forth diuers waies, being of a brownish colour, which windeth it selfe as the former great Bell-flower doth, whereon are set at seuerall ioynts diuers winged leaues, that is to say, many small narrow and long leaues set on both sides of the middle ribbe, and one at the end: from these ioynts arise long stalkes, at the ends whereof stand two or three small, long, hollow flowers, fashioned very like vnto the flowers of a Bindeweede, or the flowers of Tabacco, and ending in the like manner in fiue points, but not so much laide open, being of a bright red colour, plaited as the Bindeweedes or Bell-flowers before they be open, with some few threads in the middle, which turne into long pointed cods, wherein is contained long and blacke seede, tasting hot like Pepper: the roote is small and stringy, perishing euery yeare, and with vs will seldome come to flower, because our cold nights and frosts come so soone, before it can haue comfort enough of the Sun to ripen it.

4. _Convolvulus cæruleus minor Hispanicus._ The Spanish small blew Bindeweede.