Chap. XII.Ornithogalum.Starre of Bethlehem.After the Family of the Iacinths, must needes follow the kindes of Starre-flowers, or Starres of Bethlehem, as they are called, for that they doe so nearely resemble them, that diuers haue named some of them Iacinths, and referred them to that kindred: all of them, both in roote, leafe, and flower, come nearer vnto the Iacinths, then vnto any other plant. They shall therefore bee next described, euery one in their order, the greatest first, and the rest following.Ornithogalum Arabicum.The great Starre-flower of Arabia.This Arabian Starre-flower hath many broad, and long greene leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the Orientall Iacinth, but lying for the most part vpon the ground, among which riseth vp a round greene stalke, almost two foote high, bearing at the toppe diuers large flowers, standing vpon long foote-stalkes, and at the bottome of euery one of them a small short pointed greene leafe: these flowers are made of six pure white leaues a peece, laid open as large as an ordinary Daffodill, but of the forme of a Starre Iacinth, or Starre of Bethlehem, which close as they doe euery night, and open themselues in the day time, especially in the Sunne, the smell whereof is pretty sweete, but weake: in the middle of the flower is a blackish head, compassed with six white threeds, tipt with yellow pendents: the seede hath not beene obserued with vs: the roote is great and white, with a flat bottome, very impatient of our cold Winters, so that it seldome prospereth or abideth with vs; for although sometimes it doe abide a Winter in the ground, yet it often lyeth without springing blade, or any thing else a whole yeare, and then perisheth: or if it doe spring, yet many doe not beare, and most after their first bearing doe decay and perish. But if any be desirous, to know how to preserue the roote of this plant, or of many other bulbous rootes that are tender, such as the great double white Daffodill of Constantinople, and other fine Daffodils, that come from hot Countries; let them keepe this rule: Let either the roote be planted in a large pot, or tubbe of earth, and housed all the Winter, that so it may bee defended from the frosts; Or else (which is the easier way) keepe the roote out of the ground euery yeare, from September, after the leaues and stalkes are past, vntill February, insome dry, but not hot or windy place, and then plant it in the ground vnder a South wall, or such like defended place, which will spring, and no doubt prosper well there, in regard the greatest and deepest frosts are past after February, so that seldome any great frosts come after, to pierce so deepe as the roote is to be set, or thereby to doe any great harme to it in such a place.The Place.This hath been often sent out of Turkie, and likewise out of Italy; I had likewise two rootes sent mee out of Spaine by Guillaume Boel before remembred, which (as hee said) hee gathered there, but they prospered not with me, for want of the knowledge of the former rule. It may be likely that Arabia is the place, from whence they of Constantinople receiue it.The Time.It flowreth in May, if it be of the first yeares bringing; or in Iune, if it haue been ordered after the manner before set downe.The Names.It hath been sent out of Italy by the name ofLilium Alexandrinum, The Lilly of Alexandria, but it hath no affinity with any Lilly. Others call itHyacinthus Arabicus; and the Italians,Iacintho del pater nostro; but it is no Iacinth neither, although the flowers be like some of them. Some also would referre it to aNarcissusor Daffodill, and it doth as little agree with it, as with a Lilly, although his flowers in largenesse and whitenesse resemble a Daffodill. Clusius hath most fitly referred it to the stocke or kindred ofOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem, as wee call them in English, and from the Turkish name,Zumbul Arabi, entituled itOrnithogalum Arabicum, althoughZumbul, as I haue before declared, is with them, a Iacinth, wee may call it in English, The Arabian Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem, or the great Starre-flower of Arabia.{Starre-flowers}1.Ornithogalum maximum album.The greatest white Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.This great Starre-flower hath many faire, broad, long, and very fresh green leaues, rising vp very early, and are greater, longer, and greener then the leaues of any Orientall Iacinth, which doe abide greene, from the beginning or middle of Ianuary, or before sometimes, vntill the end of May, at which time they begin to fade, and the stalke with the head of flowers beginneth to rise, so that it will haue either few or no leaues at all, when the flowers are blowne: the stalke is strong, round, and firme, rising two foote high or more, bearing at the toppe a great bush of flowers, seeming at the first to be a great greene eare of corne, for it is made spike-fashion, which when the flowers are blowne, doth rise to be very high, slender or small at the head aboue, and broad spread and bushing below, so that it is long in flowring; for they flower below first, and so vpwards by degrees: these flowers are snow white, without any line on the backside, and is therein like vnto the former, as also in whitenesse, but nothing so large, with a white vmbone or head in the middle, beset with many white threeds, tipt with yellow: the seede is blacke and round, contained in three square heads: the roote is great, thicke, and short, and somewhat yellowish on the outside, with a flat bottome, both like the former, and next that followeth.2.Ornithogalum maius spicatum album.The great white spiked Starre-flower.This spiked Starre-flower in his growing, is somewhat like vnto the last described,but springeth not vp so early, nor hath his leaues so greene, or large, but hath broad, long, whitish greene hollow leaues, pointed at the end, among which riseth vp the stalke, which is strong and high, as the former, hauing a great bush of flowers at the toppe, standing spike-fashion, somewhat like the former, flowring in the same maner by degrees, first below, and so vpwards; but it is not so thicke set with flowers, nor so farre spread at the bottome as it, the flowers also are not so white, and each of the leaues of them haue a greene line downe the backe, leauing the edges on both sides white: after the flowers are past, the heads for seede grow three square, like the other, bearing such like blacke seede therein: the roote hereof is vsually bigger then the last, and whiter on the outside.3.Ornithogalum Pannonicum.The Hungarian Starre-flower.This Hungarian Starre-flower shooteth out diuers narrow, long, whitish greene leaues, spread vpon the ground before Winter, which are very like vnto the leaues of Gilloflowers, and so abide aboue the ground, hauing a stalke rising in the middle of them the next Spring, about halfe a foote high or thereabouts, bearing many white flowers at the toppe, with greene lines downe the backe of them, very like vnto the ordinary Starres of Bethlehem: the roote is greater, thicker, and longer then the ordinary Starres, and for the most part, two ioyned together, somewhat grayish on the outside.4.Ornithogalum vulgare.The Starre of Bethlehem.The ordinary Starre of Bethlehem is so common, and well knowne in all countries and places, that it is almost needlesse to describe it, hauing many greene leaues with white lines therein, and a few white flowers set about the toppe of the stalke, with greenish lines downe the backe: the roote is whitish, and encreaseth aboundantly.5.Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius flore subuirescente.The bulbous Asphodill, or greene Starre-flower.Diuers haue referred this plant vnto the Asphodils, because (as I thinke) the flowers hereof are straked on the backe, and the leaues long and narrow, like vnto the Asphodils; but the roote of this being bulbous, I rather (as some others doe) ioyne it with theOrnithogala, for they also haue strakes on the backe of the flowers. It hath many whitish greene leaues, long and narrow, spread vpon the ground, which spring vp in the beginning of the yeare, and abide vntill May, and then they withering, the stalke springeth vp almost as high as the first, hauing many pale yellowish greene flowers, but smaller, and growing more sparsedly about the stalke vpon short foot-stalkes, but in a reasonable long head spike-fashion: the seede is like vnto the second kinde, but smaller: the roote is somewhat yellowish, like the first great white kinde.Page 137: Starre-flower.1Ornithogalum Arabicum.The great starre-flower of Arabia.2Ornithogalum maximum album.The greatest white starre-flower.3Ornithogalum maius spicatum album.The great white spiked starre-flower.4Ornithogalum Pannonicum album.The Hungarian starre-flower.5Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius subuirescente flore.The bulbed Asphodill, or greene starre-flower.6Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus.The little starre-flower of Spaine.7Ornithogalum luteum.The yellow starre-flower of Bethlehem.8Ornithogalum Neapolitanum.The starre-flower of Naples.The Place.The first is onely nursed in Gardens, his originall being not well knowne, yet some attribute it vntoPannoniaor Hungary. The second hath been found neare vnto Barcinone, and Toledo in Spaine. The third was found in Hungary by Clusius. Our ordinary euery where in the fields of Italy and France, and (as it is said) in England also. And the last groweth likewise by the corne fields in the vpper Hungary.The Time.They flower in Aprill and May, and sometimes in Iune.The Names.The first is called by ClusiusOrnithogalum maximum album, because it isgreater then the next, which hee tooke formerly for the greatest: but it might more fitly, in my iudgement, bee calledAsphodelus bulbosus albus(if there be anyAsphodelus bulbosusat all) because this do so nearly resemble that, both in the early springing, and the decay of the greene leaues, when the stalkes of flowers doe rise vp. Diuers also doe call itOrnithogalum Pannonicum maximum album.The second hath his name in his title, as most authors doe set it downe, yet inthe great Herball referred to Dalechampius, it is calledOrnithogalum magnum Myconi.The third hath his name from the place of his birth, and the other from his popularity, yet Dodonæus calleth itBulbus Leucanthemos.The last is called by diuersAsphodelo-hyacinthinus, andHyacintho-asphodelus Galeni. Dodonæus calleth itAsphodelus fæmina, andAsphodelus bulbosus. But Lobel, and Gerrard from him, and Dodonæus, doe make this to haue white flowers, whereas all that I haue seene, both in mine owne, and in others Gardens, bore greenish flowers, as Clusius setteth it truely downe. Lobel seemeth in the description of this, to confound theOrnithogalumof Mompelier with it, and calleth itAsphodelus hyacinthinus forte Galeni, and saith that some would call itPancratium Monspeliense, andAsphodelus Galeni. But as I haue shewed, theOrnithogalum spicatumand this, doe plainly differ the one from the other, and are not both to be called by one name, nor to be reckoned one, but two distinct plants.Ornithogalum Æthiopicum.The Starre-flower of Æthiopia.The leaues of this plant are a foote long, and at the least an inch broad, which being broken, are no lesse woolly then the woolly Iacinth: the stalke is a cubit high, strong and greene; from the middle whereof vnto the toppe, stand large snow white flowers, vpon long, greene, thicke foot-stalkes, and yellowish at the bottome of the flower; in the middle whereof stand six white threeds, tipt with yellow chiues, compassing the head, which is three square, and long containing the seede: the roote is thicke and round, somewhat like theAsphodelus Galeni.The Place.This plant was gathered by some Hollanders, on the West side of the Cape of good Hope.The Time.It flowred about the end of August with those that had it.The Names.Because it came from that part of the continent beyond the line, which is reckoned a part of Æthiopia, it is thereupon so called as it is set downe.Ornithogalum Neapolitanum.The Starre-flower of Naples.This beautifull plant riseth out of the ground very early, with foure or fiue hollow pointed leaues, standing round together, of a whitish greene colour, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe on the inside, somewhat narrow, but long, (Fabius Columna saith, three foot long in Italy, but it is not so with vs) in the middle of these leaues riseth vp the stalke, a foote and a halfe high, bearing diuers flowers at the toppe, euery one standing in a little cuppe or huske, which is diuided into three or foure parts, hanging downe very long about the heads for seede: after the flower is past, these flowers doe all hang downe their heads, and open one way, although their little foot-stalkes come forth on all sides of the greater stalke, being large, and composed of six long leaues, of a pure white on the inside, and of a blewish or whitish greene colouron the outside, leauing the edges of euery leafe white on both sides: in the middle of these flowers stand other small flowers, each of them also made of six small white leaues a peece, which meeting together, seeme to make the shew of a cuppe, within which are contained six white threeds, tipt with yellow, and a long white pointell in the middle of them, being without any sent at all: after the flowers are past, come vp great round heads, which are too heauie for the stalke to beare; and therefore lye downe vpon the leaues or ground, hauing certaine lines or stripes on the outside, wherein is contained round, blacke, rough seede: the roote is great and white, and somewhat flat at the bottome, as diuers of these kindes are, and doe multiply as plentifully into small bulbes as the common or any other.The Place.This Starre-flower groweth in the Medowes in diuers places of Naples, as Fabius Columna, and Ferrantes Imperatus doe testifie, from whence they haue been sent. And Matthiolus, who setteth out the figure thereof among his Daffodills, had (it should seeme) seene it grow with him.The Time.It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the seede is ripe in Iuly.The Names.Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils, for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill, which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the fourth place, whereupon many doe call itNarcissus quartus Matthioli, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna calleth itHyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore. Clusius (to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,Ornithogalum Neapolitanum, and we thereafter call it in English, The Starre-flower of Naples.Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus.The little Starre-flower of Spaine.Clusius hath set forth this plant among hisOrnithogalaor Starre-flowers, and although it doth in my minde come nearer to aHyacinthus, then toOrnithogalum, yet pardon it, and let it passe as he doth. From a little round whitish roote, springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, fiue or six small long green leaues, without any white line in the middle of them, among which rise vp one or two small stalkes, an hand length high or better, bearing seuen or eight, or more flowers, growing as it were in a tuft or vmbell, with small long leaues at the foote of euery stalke, the lower flowers being equall in length with the vppermost, of a pale whitish blew or ash colour, with a strake or line downe the backe of euery leafe of them, with some white threeds standing about a blewish head in the middle: these flowers passe away quickly, and giue no seed, so that it is not knowne what seede it beareth.The Place.This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.The Time.It flowreth in May.The Names.It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but lately found out.{Two other Starre-flowers}1.Ornithogalum album vnifolium.The white starre-flower with one blade.This little starre-flower I bring into this place, as the fittest in my opinion where to place it, vntill my minde change to alter it. It hath a very small round white roote, from whence springeth vp one very long and round greene leafe, like vnto a rush, but that for about two or three inches aboue the ground, it is a little flat, and from thence springeth forth a small stalke not aboue three or foure inches high, bearing at the top thereof three or foure small white flowers, consisting of six leaues a peece, within which are six white chiues, tipt with yellow pendents, standing about a small three square head, that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middle thereof: the flower is pretty and sweete, but not heady.Ornithogalum luteum.The yellow Starre of Bethlehem.This yellow Starre-flower riseth vp at the first, with one long, round, greenish leafe, which openeth it selfe somewhat aboue the ground, and giueth out another small leafe, lesser and shorter then the first, and afterward the stalke riseth from thence also, being foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe three or foure small green leaues, and among them foure or fiue small yellow starre-like flowers, with a greenish line or streake downe the backe of euery leafe, and some small reddish yellow threeds in the middle: it seldome giueth seede: the roote is round, whitish, and somewhat cleare, very apt to perish, if it bee any little while kept dry out of the ground, as I haue twice tryed to my losse.The Place.The first grew in Portugall, and Clusius first of all others desciphers it.The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary, in the moister grounds.The Time.The first flowreth in May: the other in Aprill, and sometimes in March.The Names.Carolus Clusius calleth the firstBulbus vnifolius, orBolbine, but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any plant; but (as you see) I haue ranked it with the small sorts ofOrnithogalum, and giue it the name accordingly.The other is referred for likenesse of forme, and not for colour, vnto theOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem. It is called by Tragus and FuchsiusBulbus siluestris, because of the obuiousnesse. Cordus taketh it to beSisyrinchium. Lacuna calleth itBulbus esculentus. Lobel and others in these dayes generally,Ornithogalum luteum, and wee thereafter in English, The yellow Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.The Vertues.The first kinde being but lately found out, is not knowne to be vsed. The rootes of the common or vulgar, are (as Matthiolus saith) much eaten by poore people in Italy, either rawe or roasted, being sweeter in taste then any Chestnut, and seruing as well for a necessary food as for delight. It is doubtfull whether any of the rest may be so vsed; for I know not any in our Land hath made any experience.{Conclusion}There are many other sorts of Starre-flowers, which are fitter for a generall then this History; and therefore I referre them thereunto.
Chap. XII.Ornithogalum.Starre of Bethlehem.After the Family of the Iacinths, must needes follow the kindes of Starre-flowers, or Starres of Bethlehem, as they are called, for that they doe so nearely resemble them, that diuers haue named some of them Iacinths, and referred them to that kindred: all of them, both in roote, leafe, and flower, come nearer vnto the Iacinths, then vnto any other plant. They shall therefore bee next described, euery one in their order, the greatest first, and the rest following.Ornithogalum Arabicum.The great Starre-flower of Arabia.This Arabian Starre-flower hath many broad, and long greene leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the Orientall Iacinth, but lying for the most part vpon the ground, among which riseth vp a round greene stalke, almost two foote high, bearing at the toppe diuers large flowers, standing vpon long foote-stalkes, and at the bottome of euery one of them a small short pointed greene leafe: these flowers are made of six pure white leaues a peece, laid open as large as an ordinary Daffodill, but of the forme of a Starre Iacinth, or Starre of Bethlehem, which close as they doe euery night, and open themselues in the day time, especially in the Sunne, the smell whereof is pretty sweete, but weake: in the middle of the flower is a blackish head, compassed with six white threeds, tipt with yellow pendents: the seede hath not beene obserued with vs: the roote is great and white, with a flat bottome, very impatient of our cold Winters, so that it seldome prospereth or abideth with vs; for although sometimes it doe abide a Winter in the ground, yet it often lyeth without springing blade, or any thing else a whole yeare, and then perisheth: or if it doe spring, yet many doe not beare, and most after their first bearing doe decay and perish. But if any be desirous, to know how to preserue the roote of this plant, or of many other bulbous rootes that are tender, such as the great double white Daffodill of Constantinople, and other fine Daffodils, that come from hot Countries; let them keepe this rule: Let either the roote be planted in a large pot, or tubbe of earth, and housed all the Winter, that so it may bee defended from the frosts; Or else (which is the easier way) keepe the roote out of the ground euery yeare, from September, after the leaues and stalkes are past, vntill February, insome dry, but not hot or windy place, and then plant it in the ground vnder a South wall, or such like defended place, which will spring, and no doubt prosper well there, in regard the greatest and deepest frosts are past after February, so that seldome any great frosts come after, to pierce so deepe as the roote is to be set, or thereby to doe any great harme to it in such a place.The Place.This hath been often sent out of Turkie, and likewise out of Italy; I had likewise two rootes sent mee out of Spaine by Guillaume Boel before remembred, which (as hee said) hee gathered there, but they prospered not with me, for want of the knowledge of the former rule. It may be likely that Arabia is the place, from whence they of Constantinople receiue it.The Time.It flowreth in May, if it be of the first yeares bringing; or in Iune, if it haue been ordered after the manner before set downe.The Names.It hath been sent out of Italy by the name ofLilium Alexandrinum, The Lilly of Alexandria, but it hath no affinity with any Lilly. Others call itHyacinthus Arabicus; and the Italians,Iacintho del pater nostro; but it is no Iacinth neither, although the flowers be like some of them. Some also would referre it to aNarcissusor Daffodill, and it doth as little agree with it, as with a Lilly, although his flowers in largenesse and whitenesse resemble a Daffodill. Clusius hath most fitly referred it to the stocke or kindred ofOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem, as wee call them in English, and from the Turkish name,Zumbul Arabi, entituled itOrnithogalum Arabicum, althoughZumbul, as I haue before declared, is with them, a Iacinth, wee may call it in English, The Arabian Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem, or the great Starre-flower of Arabia.{Starre-flowers}1.Ornithogalum maximum album.The greatest white Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.This great Starre-flower hath many faire, broad, long, and very fresh green leaues, rising vp very early, and are greater, longer, and greener then the leaues of any Orientall Iacinth, which doe abide greene, from the beginning or middle of Ianuary, or before sometimes, vntill the end of May, at which time they begin to fade, and the stalke with the head of flowers beginneth to rise, so that it will haue either few or no leaues at all, when the flowers are blowne: the stalke is strong, round, and firme, rising two foote high or more, bearing at the toppe a great bush of flowers, seeming at the first to be a great greene eare of corne, for it is made spike-fashion, which when the flowers are blowne, doth rise to be very high, slender or small at the head aboue, and broad spread and bushing below, so that it is long in flowring; for they flower below first, and so vpwards by degrees: these flowers are snow white, without any line on the backside, and is therein like vnto the former, as also in whitenesse, but nothing so large, with a white vmbone or head in the middle, beset with many white threeds, tipt with yellow: the seede is blacke and round, contained in three square heads: the roote is great, thicke, and short, and somewhat yellowish on the outside, with a flat bottome, both like the former, and next that followeth.2.Ornithogalum maius spicatum album.The great white spiked Starre-flower.This spiked Starre-flower in his growing, is somewhat like vnto the last described,but springeth not vp so early, nor hath his leaues so greene, or large, but hath broad, long, whitish greene hollow leaues, pointed at the end, among which riseth vp the stalke, which is strong and high, as the former, hauing a great bush of flowers at the toppe, standing spike-fashion, somewhat like the former, flowring in the same maner by degrees, first below, and so vpwards; but it is not so thicke set with flowers, nor so farre spread at the bottome as it, the flowers also are not so white, and each of the leaues of them haue a greene line downe the backe, leauing the edges on both sides white: after the flowers are past, the heads for seede grow three square, like the other, bearing such like blacke seede therein: the roote hereof is vsually bigger then the last, and whiter on the outside.3.Ornithogalum Pannonicum.The Hungarian Starre-flower.This Hungarian Starre-flower shooteth out diuers narrow, long, whitish greene leaues, spread vpon the ground before Winter, which are very like vnto the leaues of Gilloflowers, and so abide aboue the ground, hauing a stalke rising in the middle of them the next Spring, about halfe a foote high or thereabouts, bearing many white flowers at the toppe, with greene lines downe the backe of them, very like vnto the ordinary Starres of Bethlehem: the roote is greater, thicker, and longer then the ordinary Starres, and for the most part, two ioyned together, somewhat grayish on the outside.4.Ornithogalum vulgare.The Starre of Bethlehem.The ordinary Starre of Bethlehem is so common, and well knowne in all countries and places, that it is almost needlesse to describe it, hauing many greene leaues with white lines therein, and a few white flowers set about the toppe of the stalke, with greenish lines downe the backe: the roote is whitish, and encreaseth aboundantly.5.Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius flore subuirescente.The bulbous Asphodill, or greene Starre-flower.Diuers haue referred this plant vnto the Asphodils, because (as I thinke) the flowers hereof are straked on the backe, and the leaues long and narrow, like vnto the Asphodils; but the roote of this being bulbous, I rather (as some others doe) ioyne it with theOrnithogala, for they also haue strakes on the backe of the flowers. It hath many whitish greene leaues, long and narrow, spread vpon the ground, which spring vp in the beginning of the yeare, and abide vntill May, and then they withering, the stalke springeth vp almost as high as the first, hauing many pale yellowish greene flowers, but smaller, and growing more sparsedly about the stalke vpon short foot-stalkes, but in a reasonable long head spike-fashion: the seede is like vnto the second kinde, but smaller: the roote is somewhat yellowish, like the first great white kinde.Page 137: Starre-flower.1Ornithogalum Arabicum.The great starre-flower of Arabia.2Ornithogalum maximum album.The greatest white starre-flower.3Ornithogalum maius spicatum album.The great white spiked starre-flower.4Ornithogalum Pannonicum album.The Hungarian starre-flower.5Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius subuirescente flore.The bulbed Asphodill, or greene starre-flower.6Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus.The little starre-flower of Spaine.7Ornithogalum luteum.The yellow starre-flower of Bethlehem.8Ornithogalum Neapolitanum.The starre-flower of Naples.The Place.The first is onely nursed in Gardens, his originall being not well knowne, yet some attribute it vntoPannoniaor Hungary. The second hath been found neare vnto Barcinone, and Toledo in Spaine. The third was found in Hungary by Clusius. Our ordinary euery where in the fields of Italy and France, and (as it is said) in England also. And the last groweth likewise by the corne fields in the vpper Hungary.The Time.They flower in Aprill and May, and sometimes in Iune.The Names.The first is called by ClusiusOrnithogalum maximum album, because it isgreater then the next, which hee tooke formerly for the greatest: but it might more fitly, in my iudgement, bee calledAsphodelus bulbosus albus(if there be anyAsphodelus bulbosusat all) because this do so nearly resemble that, both in the early springing, and the decay of the greene leaues, when the stalkes of flowers doe rise vp. Diuers also doe call itOrnithogalum Pannonicum maximum album.The second hath his name in his title, as most authors doe set it downe, yet inthe great Herball referred to Dalechampius, it is calledOrnithogalum magnum Myconi.The third hath his name from the place of his birth, and the other from his popularity, yet Dodonæus calleth itBulbus Leucanthemos.The last is called by diuersAsphodelo-hyacinthinus, andHyacintho-asphodelus Galeni. Dodonæus calleth itAsphodelus fæmina, andAsphodelus bulbosus. But Lobel, and Gerrard from him, and Dodonæus, doe make this to haue white flowers, whereas all that I haue seene, both in mine owne, and in others Gardens, bore greenish flowers, as Clusius setteth it truely downe. Lobel seemeth in the description of this, to confound theOrnithogalumof Mompelier with it, and calleth itAsphodelus hyacinthinus forte Galeni, and saith that some would call itPancratium Monspeliense, andAsphodelus Galeni. But as I haue shewed, theOrnithogalum spicatumand this, doe plainly differ the one from the other, and are not both to be called by one name, nor to be reckoned one, but two distinct plants.Ornithogalum Æthiopicum.The Starre-flower of Æthiopia.The leaues of this plant are a foote long, and at the least an inch broad, which being broken, are no lesse woolly then the woolly Iacinth: the stalke is a cubit high, strong and greene; from the middle whereof vnto the toppe, stand large snow white flowers, vpon long, greene, thicke foot-stalkes, and yellowish at the bottome of the flower; in the middle whereof stand six white threeds, tipt with yellow chiues, compassing the head, which is three square, and long containing the seede: the roote is thicke and round, somewhat like theAsphodelus Galeni.The Place.This plant was gathered by some Hollanders, on the West side of the Cape of good Hope.The Time.It flowred about the end of August with those that had it.The Names.Because it came from that part of the continent beyond the line, which is reckoned a part of Æthiopia, it is thereupon so called as it is set downe.Ornithogalum Neapolitanum.The Starre-flower of Naples.This beautifull plant riseth out of the ground very early, with foure or fiue hollow pointed leaues, standing round together, of a whitish greene colour, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe on the inside, somewhat narrow, but long, (Fabius Columna saith, three foot long in Italy, but it is not so with vs) in the middle of these leaues riseth vp the stalke, a foote and a halfe high, bearing diuers flowers at the toppe, euery one standing in a little cuppe or huske, which is diuided into three or foure parts, hanging downe very long about the heads for seede: after the flower is past, these flowers doe all hang downe their heads, and open one way, although their little foot-stalkes come forth on all sides of the greater stalke, being large, and composed of six long leaues, of a pure white on the inside, and of a blewish or whitish greene colouron the outside, leauing the edges of euery leafe white on both sides: in the middle of these flowers stand other small flowers, each of them also made of six small white leaues a peece, which meeting together, seeme to make the shew of a cuppe, within which are contained six white threeds, tipt with yellow, and a long white pointell in the middle of them, being without any sent at all: after the flowers are past, come vp great round heads, which are too heauie for the stalke to beare; and therefore lye downe vpon the leaues or ground, hauing certaine lines or stripes on the outside, wherein is contained round, blacke, rough seede: the roote is great and white, and somewhat flat at the bottome, as diuers of these kindes are, and doe multiply as plentifully into small bulbes as the common or any other.The Place.This Starre-flower groweth in the Medowes in diuers places of Naples, as Fabius Columna, and Ferrantes Imperatus doe testifie, from whence they haue been sent. And Matthiolus, who setteth out the figure thereof among his Daffodills, had (it should seeme) seene it grow with him.The Time.It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the seede is ripe in Iuly.The Names.Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils, for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill, which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the fourth place, whereupon many doe call itNarcissus quartus Matthioli, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna calleth itHyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore. Clusius (to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,Ornithogalum Neapolitanum, and we thereafter call it in English, The Starre-flower of Naples.Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus.The little Starre-flower of Spaine.Clusius hath set forth this plant among hisOrnithogalaor Starre-flowers, and although it doth in my minde come nearer to aHyacinthus, then toOrnithogalum, yet pardon it, and let it passe as he doth. From a little round whitish roote, springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, fiue or six small long green leaues, without any white line in the middle of them, among which rise vp one or two small stalkes, an hand length high or better, bearing seuen or eight, or more flowers, growing as it were in a tuft or vmbell, with small long leaues at the foote of euery stalke, the lower flowers being equall in length with the vppermost, of a pale whitish blew or ash colour, with a strake or line downe the backe of euery leafe of them, with some white threeds standing about a blewish head in the middle: these flowers passe away quickly, and giue no seed, so that it is not knowne what seede it beareth.The Place.This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.The Time.It flowreth in May.The Names.It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but lately found out.{Two other Starre-flowers}1.Ornithogalum album vnifolium.The white starre-flower with one blade.This little starre-flower I bring into this place, as the fittest in my opinion where to place it, vntill my minde change to alter it. It hath a very small round white roote, from whence springeth vp one very long and round greene leafe, like vnto a rush, but that for about two or three inches aboue the ground, it is a little flat, and from thence springeth forth a small stalke not aboue three or foure inches high, bearing at the top thereof three or foure small white flowers, consisting of six leaues a peece, within which are six white chiues, tipt with yellow pendents, standing about a small three square head, that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middle thereof: the flower is pretty and sweete, but not heady.Ornithogalum luteum.The yellow Starre of Bethlehem.This yellow Starre-flower riseth vp at the first, with one long, round, greenish leafe, which openeth it selfe somewhat aboue the ground, and giueth out another small leafe, lesser and shorter then the first, and afterward the stalke riseth from thence also, being foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe three or foure small green leaues, and among them foure or fiue small yellow starre-like flowers, with a greenish line or streake downe the backe of euery leafe, and some small reddish yellow threeds in the middle: it seldome giueth seede: the roote is round, whitish, and somewhat cleare, very apt to perish, if it bee any little while kept dry out of the ground, as I haue twice tryed to my losse.The Place.The first grew in Portugall, and Clusius first of all others desciphers it.The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary, in the moister grounds.The Time.The first flowreth in May: the other in Aprill, and sometimes in March.The Names.Carolus Clusius calleth the firstBulbus vnifolius, orBolbine, but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any plant; but (as you see) I haue ranked it with the small sorts ofOrnithogalum, and giue it the name accordingly.The other is referred for likenesse of forme, and not for colour, vnto theOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem. It is called by Tragus and FuchsiusBulbus siluestris, because of the obuiousnesse. Cordus taketh it to beSisyrinchium. Lacuna calleth itBulbus esculentus. Lobel and others in these dayes generally,Ornithogalum luteum, and wee thereafter in English, The yellow Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.The Vertues.The first kinde being but lately found out, is not knowne to be vsed. The rootes of the common or vulgar, are (as Matthiolus saith) much eaten by poore people in Italy, either rawe or roasted, being sweeter in taste then any Chestnut, and seruing as well for a necessary food as for delight. It is doubtfull whether any of the rest may be so vsed; for I know not any in our Land hath made any experience.{Conclusion}There are many other sorts of Starre-flowers, which are fitter for a generall then this History; and therefore I referre them thereunto.
After the Family of the Iacinths, must needes follow the kindes of Starre-flowers, or Starres of Bethlehem, as they are called, for that they doe so nearely resemble them, that diuers haue named some of them Iacinths, and referred them to that kindred: all of them, both in roote, leafe, and flower, come nearer vnto the Iacinths, then vnto any other plant. They shall therefore bee next described, euery one in their order, the greatest first, and the rest following.
This Arabian Starre-flower hath many broad, and long greene leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the Orientall Iacinth, but lying for the most part vpon the ground, among which riseth vp a round greene stalke, almost two foote high, bearing at the toppe diuers large flowers, standing vpon long foote-stalkes, and at the bottome of euery one of them a small short pointed greene leafe: these flowers are made of six pure white leaues a peece, laid open as large as an ordinary Daffodill, but of the forme of a Starre Iacinth, or Starre of Bethlehem, which close as they doe euery night, and open themselues in the day time, especially in the Sunne, the smell whereof is pretty sweete, but weake: in the middle of the flower is a blackish head, compassed with six white threeds, tipt with yellow pendents: the seede hath not beene obserued with vs: the roote is great and white, with a flat bottome, very impatient of our cold Winters, so that it seldome prospereth or abideth with vs; for although sometimes it doe abide a Winter in the ground, yet it often lyeth without springing blade, or any thing else a whole yeare, and then perisheth: or if it doe spring, yet many doe not beare, and most after their first bearing doe decay and perish. But if any be desirous, to know how to preserue the roote of this plant, or of many other bulbous rootes that are tender, such as the great double white Daffodill of Constantinople, and other fine Daffodils, that come from hot Countries; let them keepe this rule: Let either the roote be planted in a large pot, or tubbe of earth, and housed all the Winter, that so it may bee defended from the frosts; Or else (which is the easier way) keepe the roote out of the ground euery yeare, from September, after the leaues and stalkes are past, vntill February, insome dry, but not hot or windy place, and then plant it in the ground vnder a South wall, or such like defended place, which will spring, and no doubt prosper well there, in regard the greatest and deepest frosts are past after February, so that seldome any great frosts come after, to pierce so deepe as the roote is to be set, or thereby to doe any great harme to it in such a place.
The Place.This hath been often sent out of Turkie, and likewise out of Italy; I had likewise two rootes sent mee out of Spaine by Guillaume Boel before remembred, which (as hee said) hee gathered there, but they prospered not with me, for want of the knowledge of the former rule. It may be likely that Arabia is the place, from whence they of Constantinople receiue it.
This hath been often sent out of Turkie, and likewise out of Italy; I had likewise two rootes sent mee out of Spaine by Guillaume Boel before remembred, which (as hee said) hee gathered there, but they prospered not with me, for want of the knowledge of the former rule. It may be likely that Arabia is the place, from whence they of Constantinople receiue it.
The Time.It flowreth in May, if it be of the first yeares bringing; or in Iune, if it haue been ordered after the manner before set downe.
It flowreth in May, if it be of the first yeares bringing; or in Iune, if it haue been ordered after the manner before set downe.
The Names.It hath been sent out of Italy by the name ofLilium Alexandrinum, The Lilly of Alexandria, but it hath no affinity with any Lilly. Others call itHyacinthus Arabicus; and the Italians,Iacintho del pater nostro; but it is no Iacinth neither, although the flowers be like some of them. Some also would referre it to aNarcissusor Daffodill, and it doth as little agree with it, as with a Lilly, although his flowers in largenesse and whitenesse resemble a Daffodill. Clusius hath most fitly referred it to the stocke or kindred ofOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem, as wee call them in English, and from the Turkish name,Zumbul Arabi, entituled itOrnithogalum Arabicum, althoughZumbul, as I haue before declared, is with them, a Iacinth, wee may call it in English, The Arabian Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem, or the great Starre-flower of Arabia.
It hath been sent out of Italy by the name ofLilium Alexandrinum, The Lilly of Alexandria, but it hath no affinity with any Lilly. Others call itHyacinthus Arabicus; and the Italians,Iacintho del pater nostro; but it is no Iacinth neither, although the flowers be like some of them. Some also would referre it to aNarcissusor Daffodill, and it doth as little agree with it, as with a Lilly, although his flowers in largenesse and whitenesse resemble a Daffodill. Clusius hath most fitly referred it to the stocke or kindred ofOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem, as wee call them in English, and from the Turkish name,Zumbul Arabi, entituled itOrnithogalum Arabicum, althoughZumbul, as I haue before declared, is with them, a Iacinth, wee may call it in English, The Arabian Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem, or the great Starre-flower of Arabia.
This great Starre-flower hath many faire, broad, long, and very fresh green leaues, rising vp very early, and are greater, longer, and greener then the leaues of any Orientall Iacinth, which doe abide greene, from the beginning or middle of Ianuary, or before sometimes, vntill the end of May, at which time they begin to fade, and the stalke with the head of flowers beginneth to rise, so that it will haue either few or no leaues at all, when the flowers are blowne: the stalke is strong, round, and firme, rising two foote high or more, bearing at the toppe a great bush of flowers, seeming at the first to be a great greene eare of corne, for it is made spike-fashion, which when the flowers are blowne, doth rise to be very high, slender or small at the head aboue, and broad spread and bushing below, so that it is long in flowring; for they flower below first, and so vpwards by degrees: these flowers are snow white, without any line on the backside, and is therein like vnto the former, as also in whitenesse, but nothing so large, with a white vmbone or head in the middle, beset with many white threeds, tipt with yellow: the seede is blacke and round, contained in three square heads: the roote is great, thicke, and short, and somewhat yellowish on the outside, with a flat bottome, both like the former, and next that followeth.
This spiked Starre-flower in his growing, is somewhat like vnto the last described,but springeth not vp so early, nor hath his leaues so greene, or large, but hath broad, long, whitish greene hollow leaues, pointed at the end, among which riseth vp the stalke, which is strong and high, as the former, hauing a great bush of flowers at the toppe, standing spike-fashion, somewhat like the former, flowring in the same maner by degrees, first below, and so vpwards; but it is not so thicke set with flowers, nor so farre spread at the bottome as it, the flowers also are not so white, and each of the leaues of them haue a greene line downe the backe, leauing the edges on both sides white: after the flowers are past, the heads for seede grow three square, like the other, bearing such like blacke seede therein: the roote hereof is vsually bigger then the last, and whiter on the outside.
This Hungarian Starre-flower shooteth out diuers narrow, long, whitish greene leaues, spread vpon the ground before Winter, which are very like vnto the leaues of Gilloflowers, and so abide aboue the ground, hauing a stalke rising in the middle of them the next Spring, about halfe a foote high or thereabouts, bearing many white flowers at the toppe, with greene lines downe the backe of them, very like vnto the ordinary Starres of Bethlehem: the roote is greater, thicker, and longer then the ordinary Starres, and for the most part, two ioyned together, somewhat grayish on the outside.
The ordinary Starre of Bethlehem is so common, and well knowne in all countries and places, that it is almost needlesse to describe it, hauing many greene leaues with white lines therein, and a few white flowers set about the toppe of the stalke, with greenish lines downe the backe: the roote is whitish, and encreaseth aboundantly.
Diuers haue referred this plant vnto the Asphodils, because (as I thinke) the flowers hereof are straked on the backe, and the leaues long and narrow, like vnto the Asphodils; but the roote of this being bulbous, I rather (as some others doe) ioyne it with theOrnithogala, for they also haue strakes on the backe of the flowers. It hath many whitish greene leaues, long and narrow, spread vpon the ground, which spring vp in the beginning of the yeare, and abide vntill May, and then they withering, the stalke springeth vp almost as high as the first, hauing many pale yellowish greene flowers, but smaller, and growing more sparsedly about the stalke vpon short foot-stalkes, but in a reasonable long head spike-fashion: the seede is like vnto the second kinde, but smaller: the roote is somewhat yellowish, like the first great white kinde.
Page 137: Starre-flower.1Ornithogalum Arabicum.The great starre-flower of Arabia.2Ornithogalum maximum album.The greatest white starre-flower.3Ornithogalum maius spicatum album.The great white spiked starre-flower.4Ornithogalum Pannonicum album.The Hungarian starre-flower.5Asphodelus bulbosus Galeni, siue Ornithogalum maius subuirescente flore.The bulbed Asphodill, or greene starre-flower.6Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus.The little starre-flower of Spaine.7Ornithogalum luteum.The yellow starre-flower of Bethlehem.8Ornithogalum Neapolitanum.The starre-flower of Naples.
The Place.The first is onely nursed in Gardens, his originall being not well knowne, yet some attribute it vntoPannoniaor Hungary. The second hath been found neare vnto Barcinone, and Toledo in Spaine. The third was found in Hungary by Clusius. Our ordinary euery where in the fields of Italy and France, and (as it is said) in England also. And the last groweth likewise by the corne fields in the vpper Hungary.
The first is onely nursed in Gardens, his originall being not well knowne, yet some attribute it vntoPannoniaor Hungary. The second hath been found neare vnto Barcinone, and Toledo in Spaine. The third was found in Hungary by Clusius. Our ordinary euery where in the fields of Italy and France, and (as it is said) in England also. And the last groweth likewise by the corne fields in the vpper Hungary.
The Time.They flower in Aprill and May, and sometimes in Iune.
They flower in Aprill and May, and sometimes in Iune.
The Names.The first is called by ClusiusOrnithogalum maximum album, because it isgreater then the next, which hee tooke formerly for the greatest: but it might more fitly, in my iudgement, bee calledAsphodelus bulbosus albus(if there be anyAsphodelus bulbosusat all) because this do so nearly resemble that, both in the early springing, and the decay of the greene leaues, when the stalkes of flowers doe rise vp. Diuers also doe call itOrnithogalum Pannonicum maximum album.The second hath his name in his title, as most authors doe set it downe, yet inthe great Herball referred to Dalechampius, it is calledOrnithogalum magnum Myconi.The third hath his name from the place of his birth, and the other from his popularity, yet Dodonæus calleth itBulbus Leucanthemos.The last is called by diuersAsphodelo-hyacinthinus, andHyacintho-asphodelus Galeni. Dodonæus calleth itAsphodelus fæmina, andAsphodelus bulbosus. But Lobel, and Gerrard from him, and Dodonæus, doe make this to haue white flowers, whereas all that I haue seene, both in mine owne, and in others Gardens, bore greenish flowers, as Clusius setteth it truely downe. Lobel seemeth in the description of this, to confound theOrnithogalumof Mompelier with it, and calleth itAsphodelus hyacinthinus forte Galeni, and saith that some would call itPancratium Monspeliense, andAsphodelus Galeni. But as I haue shewed, theOrnithogalum spicatumand this, doe plainly differ the one from the other, and are not both to be called by one name, nor to be reckoned one, but two distinct plants.
The first is called by ClusiusOrnithogalum maximum album, because it isgreater then the next, which hee tooke formerly for the greatest: but it might more fitly, in my iudgement, bee calledAsphodelus bulbosus albus(if there be anyAsphodelus bulbosusat all) because this do so nearly resemble that, both in the early springing, and the decay of the greene leaues, when the stalkes of flowers doe rise vp. Diuers also doe call itOrnithogalum Pannonicum maximum album.
The second hath his name in his title, as most authors doe set it downe, yet inthe great Herball referred to Dalechampius, it is calledOrnithogalum magnum Myconi.
The third hath his name from the place of his birth, and the other from his popularity, yet Dodonæus calleth itBulbus Leucanthemos.
The last is called by diuersAsphodelo-hyacinthinus, andHyacintho-asphodelus Galeni. Dodonæus calleth itAsphodelus fæmina, andAsphodelus bulbosus. But Lobel, and Gerrard from him, and Dodonæus, doe make this to haue white flowers, whereas all that I haue seene, both in mine owne, and in others Gardens, bore greenish flowers, as Clusius setteth it truely downe. Lobel seemeth in the description of this, to confound theOrnithogalumof Mompelier with it, and calleth itAsphodelus hyacinthinus forte Galeni, and saith that some would call itPancratium Monspeliense, andAsphodelus Galeni. But as I haue shewed, theOrnithogalum spicatumand this, doe plainly differ the one from the other, and are not both to be called by one name, nor to be reckoned one, but two distinct plants.
The leaues of this plant are a foote long, and at the least an inch broad, which being broken, are no lesse woolly then the woolly Iacinth: the stalke is a cubit high, strong and greene; from the middle whereof vnto the toppe, stand large snow white flowers, vpon long, greene, thicke foot-stalkes, and yellowish at the bottome of the flower; in the middle whereof stand six white threeds, tipt with yellow chiues, compassing the head, which is three square, and long containing the seede: the roote is thicke and round, somewhat like theAsphodelus Galeni.
The Place.This plant was gathered by some Hollanders, on the West side of the Cape of good Hope.
This plant was gathered by some Hollanders, on the West side of the Cape of good Hope.
The Time.It flowred about the end of August with those that had it.
It flowred about the end of August with those that had it.
The Names.Because it came from that part of the continent beyond the line, which is reckoned a part of Æthiopia, it is thereupon so called as it is set downe.
Because it came from that part of the continent beyond the line, which is reckoned a part of Æthiopia, it is thereupon so called as it is set downe.
This beautifull plant riseth out of the ground very early, with foure or fiue hollow pointed leaues, standing round together, of a whitish greene colour, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe on the inside, somewhat narrow, but long, (Fabius Columna saith, three foot long in Italy, but it is not so with vs) in the middle of these leaues riseth vp the stalke, a foote and a halfe high, bearing diuers flowers at the toppe, euery one standing in a little cuppe or huske, which is diuided into three or foure parts, hanging downe very long about the heads for seede: after the flower is past, these flowers doe all hang downe their heads, and open one way, although their little foot-stalkes come forth on all sides of the greater stalke, being large, and composed of six long leaues, of a pure white on the inside, and of a blewish or whitish greene colouron the outside, leauing the edges of euery leafe white on both sides: in the middle of these flowers stand other small flowers, each of them also made of six small white leaues a peece, which meeting together, seeme to make the shew of a cuppe, within which are contained six white threeds, tipt with yellow, and a long white pointell in the middle of them, being without any sent at all: after the flowers are past, come vp great round heads, which are too heauie for the stalke to beare; and therefore lye downe vpon the leaues or ground, hauing certaine lines or stripes on the outside, wherein is contained round, blacke, rough seede: the roote is great and white, and somewhat flat at the bottome, as diuers of these kindes are, and doe multiply as plentifully into small bulbes as the common or any other.
The Place.This Starre-flower groweth in the Medowes in diuers places of Naples, as Fabius Columna, and Ferrantes Imperatus doe testifie, from whence they haue been sent. And Matthiolus, who setteth out the figure thereof among his Daffodills, had (it should seeme) seene it grow with him.
This Starre-flower groweth in the Medowes in diuers places of Naples, as Fabius Columna, and Ferrantes Imperatus doe testifie, from whence they haue been sent. And Matthiolus, who setteth out the figure thereof among his Daffodills, had (it should seeme) seene it grow with him.
The Time.It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the seede is ripe in Iuly.
It flowreth in May, although it begin to spring out of the ground oftentimes in Nouember, but most vsually in Ianuary: the seede is ripe in Iuly.
The Names.Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils, for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill, which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the fourth place, whereupon many doe call itNarcissus quartus Matthioli, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna calleth itHyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore. Clusius (to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,Ornithogalum Neapolitanum, and we thereafter call it in English, The Starre-flower of Naples.
Matthiolus reckoneth this (as is said) among the Daffodils, for no other respect, as I conceiue, then that he accounted the middle flower to bee the cuppe or trunke of a Daffodill, which it doth somewhat resemble, and setteth it forth in the fourth place, whereupon many doe call itNarcissus quartus Matthioli, The fourth Daffodill of Matthiolus. Fabius Columna calleth itHyacinthus aruorum Ornithogali flore. Clusius (to whom Imperatus sent it, in stead of the Arabian which hee desired) calleth it of the place from whence he receiued it,Ornithogalum Neapolitanum, and we thereafter call it in English, The Starre-flower of Naples.
Clusius hath set forth this plant among hisOrnithogalaor Starre-flowers, and although it doth in my minde come nearer to aHyacinthus, then toOrnithogalum, yet pardon it, and let it passe as he doth. From a little round whitish roote, springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, fiue or six small long green leaues, without any white line in the middle of them, among which rise vp one or two small stalkes, an hand length high or better, bearing seuen or eight, or more flowers, growing as it were in a tuft or vmbell, with small long leaues at the foote of euery stalke, the lower flowers being equall in length with the vppermost, of a pale whitish blew or ash colour, with a strake or line downe the backe of euery leafe of them, with some white threeds standing about a blewish head in the middle: these flowers passe away quickly, and giue no seed, so that it is not knowne what seede it beareth.
The Place.This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.
This groweth in Spaine, and from thence hath been brought to vs.
The Time.It flowreth in May.
It flowreth in May.
The Names.It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but lately found out.
It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being but lately found out.
This little starre-flower I bring into this place, as the fittest in my opinion where to place it, vntill my minde change to alter it. It hath a very small round white roote, from whence springeth vp one very long and round greene leafe, like vnto a rush, but that for about two or three inches aboue the ground, it is a little flat, and from thence springeth forth a small stalke not aboue three or foure inches high, bearing at the top thereof three or foure small white flowers, consisting of six leaues a peece, within which are six white chiues, tipt with yellow pendents, standing about a small three square head, that hath a white pointell sticking as it were in the middle thereof: the flower is pretty and sweete, but not heady.
This yellow Starre-flower riseth vp at the first, with one long, round, greenish leafe, which openeth it selfe somewhat aboue the ground, and giueth out another small leafe, lesser and shorter then the first, and afterward the stalke riseth from thence also, being foure or fiue inches high, bearing at the toppe three or foure small green leaues, and among them foure or fiue small yellow starre-like flowers, with a greenish line or streake downe the backe of euery leafe, and some small reddish yellow threeds in the middle: it seldome giueth seede: the roote is round, whitish, and somewhat cleare, very apt to perish, if it bee any little while kept dry out of the ground, as I haue twice tryed to my losse.
The Place.The first grew in Portugall, and Clusius first of all others desciphers it.The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary, in the moister grounds.
The first grew in Portugall, and Clusius first of all others desciphers it.
The other is found in many places both of Germany and Hungary, in the moister grounds.
The Time.The first flowreth in May: the other in Aprill, and sometimes in March.
The first flowreth in May: the other in Aprill, and sometimes in March.
The Names.Carolus Clusius calleth the firstBulbus vnifolius, orBolbine, but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any plant; but (as you see) I haue ranked it with the small sorts ofOrnithogalum, and giue it the name accordingly.The other is referred for likenesse of forme, and not for colour, vnto theOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem. It is called by Tragus and FuchsiusBulbus siluestris, because of the obuiousnesse. Cordus taketh it to beSisyrinchium. Lacuna calleth itBulbus esculentus. Lobel and others in these dayes generally,Ornithogalum luteum, and wee thereafter in English, The yellow Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.
Carolus Clusius calleth the firstBulbus vnifolius, orBolbine, but referreth it not to the stocke or kindred of any plant; but (as you see) I haue ranked it with the small sorts ofOrnithogalum, and giue it the name accordingly.
The other is referred for likenesse of forme, and not for colour, vnto theOrnithogala, or Starres of Bethlehem. It is called by Tragus and FuchsiusBulbus siluestris, because of the obuiousnesse. Cordus taketh it to beSisyrinchium. Lacuna calleth itBulbus esculentus. Lobel and others in these dayes generally,Ornithogalum luteum, and wee thereafter in English, The yellow Starre-flower, or Starre of Bethlehem.
The Vertues.The first kinde being but lately found out, is not knowne to be vsed. The rootes of the common or vulgar, are (as Matthiolus saith) much eaten by poore people in Italy, either rawe or roasted, being sweeter in taste then any Chestnut, and seruing as well for a necessary food as for delight. It is doubtfull whether any of the rest may be so vsed; for I know not any in our Land hath made any experience.
The first kinde being but lately found out, is not knowne to be vsed. The rootes of the common or vulgar, are (as Matthiolus saith) much eaten by poore people in Italy, either rawe or roasted, being sweeter in taste then any Chestnut, and seruing as well for a necessary food as for delight. It is doubtfull whether any of the rest may be so vsed; for I know not any in our Land hath made any experience.
There are many other sorts of Starre-flowers, which are fitter for a generall then this History; and therefore I referre them thereunto.