Chap. XVII.Crocus.Saffron.There are diuers sorts of Saffrons, whereof many doe flower in the Spring time, and some in Autumne, among whom there is but one onely kinde, that is called tame or of the Garden, which yeeldeth those blades or chiues that are vsed in meates and medicines, and many wayes profitable for other respects, none of the rest, which are all wilde kindes, giuing any blade equall vnto those of the tame kinde, or for any other vse, then in regard of their beautifull flowers of seuerall varieties, and as they haue been carefully sought out, and preserued by diuers, to furnish a Garden of dainty curiosity. To entreate therefore of these, I must, to obserue an orderly declaration, diuide them into two primary families: the former shall be of those that yeeld their pleasant flowers in the Spring of the yeare, and the other that send outtheir colours in the Autumne, among whom thatRex pomarij(as I may so call it) the tame or manured kinde, properly called of the Garden, is to be comprehended, for that it giueth his pleasant flowers at that time among others. I shall againe distribute those of the Spring time into three chiefe colours, that is, into white, purple, and yellow, and vnder euery one of them, comprehend the seuerall varieties that doe belong vnto them; which course I will also hold with those of the Autumne, that thus being rightly ranked, they may the more orderly be described.{Spring Saffron flowers}1.Crocus Vernus albus purus minor.The smaller pure white Saffron flower of the Spring.This small Saffron flower springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, with three or foure small greene leaues, somewhat broader, but much shorter then the true Saffron leaues, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe: betweene these leaues, out of a white skinne, riseth vp one or two small flowers, made of six leaues a peece, as all the rest in generall are, of a pure white colour, without any mixture in it, which abide not in flower aboue a weeke, or rather lesse, so sodainly is the pleasure of this, and the purple lost: it flowreth not for the most part, vntill a moneth after the yellow Crocus appeareth in flower, and the ordinary stript Crocus is past: the seede is small, round, and reddish, yet not so red as the seede of the yellow, contained in three square heads, yet seldome beareth, but encreaseth by the roote plentifully enough, which is small, round, and flat at the bottome, somewhat white on the outside, but whiter within, shooting out small sprouts on euery side of the roote, which is the best note to know this kinde and the lesser purple, which are both alike, from all other rootes of Saffron flowers.2.Crocus albus maior multiflorus.The great snow white Crocus.This greater Saffron flower riseth vp vsually with three or foure greene leaues, larger then the former, with a white line in euery one of them: the flowers are greater, and more in number, rising together, but flowring one after another, of a pure snow white colour, and abiding but little longer in flower then the former.3.Crocus albus maior alter dictus Mæsiacus.The great white Saffron flower or Crocus of Mesia.This great white Crocus of Mesia, riseth vp out of the ground, almost as early as the first sort of the yellow, with foure or fiue leaues, being very like vnto the leaues of the yellow Crocus, and as large, with white lines in them: the flowers also are as large as the flowers of the yellow, and many also rising one after another like vnto it, but not of so pure a white colour, as the former or last described, but rather tending to a Milky or Creame colour: the roote is not couered with any reddish, but rather pale skinnes or coates.4.Crocus albus Mæsiacus fundo violaceo.The great white Crocus of Mesia with a blew bottome.There is another of this kinde, like vnto the former in all things, sauing that the bottomes of the flowers of this kinde, with some part of the stalke next the flower, are of a pale shining purple colour, and rising vp a pretty way into the flower; whereas another also of this kind, hath a little shew or marke of blew, and not purple, at the bottome of the flower onely, which maketh a difference.5.Crocus albus fundo purpureo.The white Crocus with a purple bottome.This Saffron flower is of the same kinde with the first, both in roote, leafe, and flower, in none of them differing from it, but in that the bottome of this flower, with that part of the short foote-stalke next vnto it, is of violet or purple colour, and sometimes hauing here and there some purple small lines, or spots on the white leaues: it flowreth also with the first white, or somewhat later.6.Crocus vernus albus striatus.The white stript Crocus.This stript Saffron flower is likewise neare the same first kind, or first white Crocus, hauing the like leaues and flowers, somewhat larger, but as soone fading almost as it: but herein this flower differeth, that it hath pale blewish lines and spots in all the leaues thereof, and more principally in the three outer leaues: the root is also white on the outside, like the first white, but greater, with young ones growing round about it.7.Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor.The greater party coloured white Crocus.The greater party coloured Saffron flower, hath his greene leaues like vnto the second great white Crocus before mentioned, hauing more flowers then any of the former, except the first great white, the leaues whereof haue greater stripes then the last recited Crocus, but of a purple Violet colour, making each leafe seeme oftentimes to haue as much purple as white in them: the roote hereof is somewhat like the second white, but of a little more duskie colour on the outside, and not budding out on the sides at all, or very little.8.Crocus vernus albus versicolor.The lesser party coloured white Crocus.The leaues and flowers of this other party coloured Crocus, are for bignesse in a manner equall with the last, but hath not so many flowers rising together from the roote: the flower is finely marked with blew strakes on the white flower, but nothing so much as in the former: the roote also is like the last.9.Crocus Episcopalis.The Bishops Crocus.This party coloured or Bishops Saffron flower, is very like both in leaues and rootes vnto the Neapolitane blew Crocus, but somewhat greater: the flowers doe abide not so long time blowne, and hath all the leaues either wholly white, with blew stripes on both sides of them, or wholly of a fine delayed blew Violet colour, and the three innermost more blew and finely striped, both on the inside and outside of them, and sometimes it hath been seen to haue three leaues white, and three leaues of a pale blew.10.Crocus vernus striatus vulgaris.The ordinary stript Crocus.There is another sort of stript Saffron flower, which is most common and plentifull in most Gardens, which I must needes bring vnder the ranke of these white kinds, although it differre very notably, both in roote, leafe, and flower, from all of them: the leaues of this rise vp sooner then the yellow or white Crocus, lying spread vpon the ground for the most part, but narrower then any of the former: among these leaues spring vp diuers flowers, almost as large as the former great white Crocus, of a very bleake or pale purple colour, tending to white on the inside, and in many almost white, with some small whitish chiues tipt with yellow in the middle: the three outer leaues are of a yellowish white colour on the backe side of them, stript euery one of them with three broad stripes, of a darke murrey or purple colour, and a little sprinkled with some small purple lines, on both sides of those stripes; but on the inside, of the same pale purple or white colour with the rest: the seede hereof is somewhat darker coloured then of the white, and is more liberall in bearing: the roote is differing from all the former, being rounder and bigger then any of them, except the kindes of Misia, yet somewhat flat withall, not hauing any shootes from the sides, but setting off into rootes plentifully, hauing a round circle compassing the bottome of the roote, which easily falleth away, when it is taken vp out of the ground, and couered with a browne coate, somewhat neare the colour of the yellow Crocus, but not altogether so bright: it flowreth vsually the first of all these sorts, or with the first of the early yellowes.Page 163: Crocus.1Crocus vernus albus minor.The small white Saffron flower of the spring.2Crocus vernus Mæsiacus albus.The great white Crocus of Misia.3Crocus vernus albus striatus.The white stript Crocus.4Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor.The party coloured white Crocus.5Crocus albus fundo purpureo.The white Crocus with a purple bottome.6Crocus vernus Neapolitanus.The great blew Crocus of Naples.7Crocus vernus purpureus maximus.The great purple Crocus.8Crocus vernus purpureus striatus.The purple stript Crocus.9Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio.The purple Crocus with small leaues.10Crocus vernus flavus striatus.The yellow stript Crocus.11Crocus vernus luteus versicolor.The cloth of gold Crocus.11.Crocus vernus striatus Turcitus.The Turkie stript Crocus.There is another of this kinde, whose flower is a little larger, and of a deeper purple colour, both on the inside and outside; the greene leafe also is bigger, and of a more whitish colour.12.Crocus vernus Capillarifolio albus.The white Crocus with small leaues.This white Crocus is in all things like vnto the purple of the same kinde, but that the flower of this is wholly white: the full description therefore hereof, you shall haue in that purple with small leaues, of this kinde hereafter set downe, whereunto I referre you.13.Crocus vernus purpureus minor.The smaller purple Crocus.The smaller purple Saffron flower of the Spring, hath his greene leaues so like vnto the first white flowred Saffron, that they can hardly be distinguished, onely they seem to bee a little narrower: the flower is also much about the same bignesse, or a little bigger, and seldome beareth aboue one flower from a roote, euen as the first doth, of a deepe purple Violet colour, the bottome of the flower, with the vpper part of the stalke next thereunto, being of a deeper or blacker purple; in the middle of the flower are some pale chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a longer pointell, diuided or forked at the toppe: the roote of this is in all things so like vnto the first white, that it is impossible for the most cunning and conuersant in them, to know the one from the other. This beareth seede very sparingly, as the white doth, and is reddish like vnto it, but recompenseth that defect with a plentifull encrease by the roote: it likewise flowereth at the very same time with the white, and endureth as small a time.14.Crocus vernus purpureus maximus.The greatest purple Crocus.This great purple Crocus is of the same kinde with the next described, as well in roote as leafe, but greater; for the greene leaues hereof are the greatest and broadest of all other Crocus, with a large white line in the middle of euery one: it springeth vp much later then the former, and doth not shew his flower vntill the other bee past a good while: the flowers also are the largest of all these Crocus of the Spring time, and equalling, if not surpassing that purple kinde that flowreth in Autumne, hereafter set forth, of a very faire and deepe Violet colour, almost as deepe as the former: the seed vessels are large also and white, wherein is contained pale reddish seede, like vnto the next blew kinde, but somewhat greater: the roote is (as I said before) like vnto the next, that is, flat and round, with a duskie coloured outside, whose head for springing in it is as hardly discerned.Alter Apicibus albidis.We haue one of this kinde, the toppes onely of whose purple flower are whitish, for the breadth of halfe the naile of a mans hand, which abideth constant euery yeare in that manner, and therefore is a difference fit to be remembred.15.Crocus vernus Neapolitanus siue cæruleus maior.The greater blew Crocus of Naples.This great blew Crocus riseth vp with diuers greene leaues, broader then any of the former (except the last) with a white line running downe the inside of euery leafe, as in the former, among which riseth vp, out of diuers great long white skinnes, diuers large flowers, but not fully so great as the former, consisting of six leaues, of a paler blew or Violet colour then in the former, hauing in the middle of the flowers a few pale threeds, tipt with yellow, and a longer pointell of a gold yellow colour, forked or diuided at the toppe, smelling sweeter then in the former, and abiding a great while longer, being in flower vsually euen with the stript yellow Crocus, or before the former purple, and yeelding more plenty of seede: the roote hereof is not very great, but a little darke on the outside, being round and flat withall, that one can hardly know which is the vpperside thereof.Crocus Neapolitanus præcocior.This kinde differeth very little from the former, either in roote, leafe, or flower, for the bignesse or colour, but that it seemeth to be a little bleaker or paler blew, because it flowreth a little earlier.16.Crocus vernus purpureus striatus.The stript purple Crocus.The leaues of this stript purple Saffron flower, are as large and broad as the last, or rather a little longer: the flowers also are as plentifull, and as large, of a fine delayed purple colour on the outside, with three broad strakes or lines downe the backe of the three outer leaues, and of a little deeper purple on the inside, as the other three leaues are also of a deeper purple colour, and are striped with the same deepe purple about the ground, or bottome of the leaues: this sometimes yeeldeth three square heads, containing in them brownish seede: the roote is like vnto the last, and flowreth much about the time of the former.17.Crocus vernus purpureus versicolor.The siluer stript purple Crocus.This stript Saffron flower, is in leaues and flowers somewhat like vnto the last stript purple, but a little smaller: the flowers are of a little deeper purple through the whole leaues, striped with white lines, both on the leaues, and towards the edges, which maketh a peculiar difference from all the rest: the roote of this is not so flat, though like it, and couered with a darke ash coloured skinne: it flowreth about the same time.18.Crocus purpureus flammeus maior.The greater purple flame coloured Crocus.The greene leaues of this Crocus or Saffron flower, are of a reasonable breadth and length, and of a pleasant fresh greenesse, with a faire broad white line downe the middle of them, but rising not out of the ground so early as the next described Crocus: the flowers are likewise of a meane bignesse, of a pale purple on the outside, somewhat whitish, especially the three outer leaues; but on the inside of a deeper purple, and striped with great stripes like flames, hauing some chiues in the middle, and a longer one also feathered a little at the toppe: the roote is white on the outside, somewhat flat and round, but not so flat as the Neapolitane Crocus before described.19.Crocus purpureus flammeus minor.The lesser purple flame coloured Crocus.This Crocus hath almost as broad and long greene leaues as the former, and of the same verdure, which rise vp earlier then it, and is in flower likewise somewhat before it, being smaller for size by a little, but of as deepe a purple on the outside, as on the inside, flamed with faire broad stripes from the middle of the leaues, or somewhat lower vnto the edges: each of these giue seed that is of a pale reddish colour: the root is very like vnto the former, but a little lesser.20.Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio.The purple Crocus with small leaues.This small kinde of Saffron flower riseth out of the ground, with two or three long and small green leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the fine Fether-Grasse hereafter described, standing vpright at the first, but afterwards lying vpon the ground; among which come the flowers, sometimes three, but most vsually two vpon one stalke, if the roote be not young, which then will beare but one on a stalke, which is very short, so that the flowers scarce arise aboue the ground, yet laying themselues open in the day time, if it be faire, and the Sunne doe shine, otherwise they keepe close, and doe not open at all: and after one flower is past, which doth not last aboue three or foure dayes at the most, the others follow, which are of a bleake blewish purple in the middle of the flower, and of a deeper purple towards the ends or points or the leaues, but of a more sullen or darke purple on the outside of them, and yellowish at the bottome, with some yellow chiues in the middle: the seede is small and darker coloured then any of the former Crocus, contained also in smaller heads, standing one by anothervpon the same short foote-stalke, which then riseth vp a little higher, shewing the maner of the standing of the flowers, which in their flowring time could not so easily bee discerned: the roote is very small and round, hauing one side at the bottome lower then the other, very like the roote of aColchicumor Medowe Saffron, and somewhat neare resembling also the hoofe of an horse foote, couered with a very thicke skinne, of a darke or blackish browne colour: this flowreth the last of all the former sorts of Saffron flowers, euen when they are all past.21.Crocus vernus purpureus striatus Capillarifolio.The stript purple Crocus with small leaues.This small stript purple Saffron flower hath such like leaues, as the last described hath, betweene which riseth the flower vpon as short a foote-stalke, consisting of six leaues like the former, of a faire purple colour on the outside of the three outer leaues, with three lines or strakes downe euery leafe, of a deeper purple colour, and on the inside of a paler purple, as the other three leaues are also, with some chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a forked pointell in the middle: the roote of this is somewhat bigger then the former, and rounder, but couered with as thicke and as browne a skinne: it flowreth about the same time with the former.22.Crocus vernus luteus siue Mæsiacus.The yellow Crocus.The yellow Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with three or foure leaues out of the ground, being somewhat neare the breadth of the great purple kindes, with a white line in them, as in most of the rest: the flowers stand in the middle of these leaues, and are very large, of a gold yellow colour, with some chiues, and a forked point in the middle: the seede hereof is of a brighter colour then in any of the other: the roote is great and round, as great or greater then a Wall Nut sometimes, and couered with reddish skinnes or coates, yeelding more store of flowers then most of the former, and beginning to blowe with the first sorts, or presently after, but outlast many of them, and are of a pleasant good sent.Flore aureo.Of this kinde we haue some, whose flowers are of a deeper gold yellow colour then others, so that they appeare reddish withall.Flore pallido.And we haue also another sort, whose flowers are very pale, betweene a white and a yellow, not differing in any thing else.Flore viridante luteo.And another smaller, whose flower hath a shew of greennesse in the yellow, and more greene at the bottome.23.Crocus vernus flavus striatus.The yellow stript Crocus.This kinde of yellow stript Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with more store of narrower and greener leaues then the former, and after the leaues are spread, there rise vp many yellow flowers from among them, which are not of so faire and bright a yellow colour, but more dead and sullen, hauing on the backside of each of the three outtermost leaues, three small stripes, of an ouer-worne or dull purple colour, with some chiues and a pointell in the middle: the roote of this kinde, is very like the roote of the former yellow, but somewhat smaller and shorter, and couered with the like reddish skinnes, but a little sadder: it flowreth not so early as the former yellow, but abideth almost as long as it.24.Crocus vernus luteus versicolor primus.The best cloth of gold Crocus.The fairest cloth of gold Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp very early, euen with the first, or the first of all other Crocus, with three or foure very narrow and short leaues, of a whiter colour then any of the former, which by and by after doe shew forth the flowers, rising from among them out of the same white skinne, which includeth the leaues, but are not so plentifull as the former yellow, being but two or three at the most, of a faire gold yellow colour, yet somewhat paler then the first, hauing on the backe of euery of the three outer leaues, three faire and great stripes, of a faire deepe purple colour, with some small lines at the sides or edges of those purple stripes; on the inside of these flowers, there is no signe or shew of any line or spot, but wholly of a faire gold yellow, with chiues and a fethertopt pointell in the middle: the seede hereof is like the former, but not so red: the roote of this kinde is easily knowne from the roote of any other Saffron flower, because the outer peelings or shels being hard, are as it were netted on the outside, hauing certaine ribbes, rising vp higher then the rest of the skinnes, diuided in the forme of a net-worke, of a darke browne colour, and is smaller and rounder then the former yellow, and not encreasing so plentifully by the roote.25.Crocus vernus luteus versicolor alter.The second cloth of gold, or Duke Crocus.There is no difference either in roote, leafe, or colour of flower, or time of flowring in this sort from the last before mentioned; for the flower of this is of the same bignesse and colour, the only note of difference is in the marking of the three outer leaues, which haue not three stripes like the former, but are wholly of the same deepe purple colour on the backe of them, sauing that the edges of them are yellow, which is the forme of a Duke Tulipa, and from thence it tooke the name of a Duke Crocus.26.Crocus vernus versicolor pallideluteus.The pale cloth of gold Crocus.We haue a third sort of this kinde of cloth of gold Crocus, which hath leaues and flowers like the former, but differeth in this, that the colour of the flower is of a paler yellow by much, but stript in the same manner as the first, but with a fainter purple colour: the roote also is netted like them, to shew that this is but a variation of the same kinde.27.Crocus vernus versicolor albidoluteus.The cloth of siluer Crocus.The chiefest note of difference in this Saffron flower is, that being as large a flower as any of the former of this kinde, it is of so pale a yellowish white, that it is more white then yellow, which some doe call a butter colour: the three outer leaues are striped on the backe of them, with a paler purple blew shining colour, the bottome of the flower, and the vpper part of the stalke, being of the same purple blew colour: the roote of this is also netted as the other, to shew it is a variety of the same kinde.{Autumn Saffron flowers}And thus much for those Saffron flowers that come in the Spring time; now to those that flower in Autumne onely: and first of the true Saffron.1.Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis.The true Saffron.The true Saffron that is vsed in meates and medicines, shooteth out his narrow long greene leaues first, and after a while the flowers in the middle of them appeare about the end of August, in September and October, according to the soile, and climate where they growe; these flowers are as large as any of the other former or late sorts, composed of six leaues a peece, of a murrey or reddish purple colour, hauing a shew of blew in them: in the middle of these flowers there are some small yellow chiues standing vpright, which are as vnprofitable, as the chiues in any other of the wilde Saffrons, before or hereafter specified; but besides these, each flower hath two, three, or foure greater and longer chiues, hanging downe vpon or betweene the leaues, which are of a fierie red colour, and are the true blades of Saffron, which are vsed physically or otherwise, and no other: All these blades being pickt from the seuerall flowers, are laid and pressed together into cakes, and afterwards dryed very warily on a Kill to preserue them; as they are to be seene in the shops where they are sold. I neuer heard that euer it gaue seede with any: the roote groweth often to be as great, or greater then a green Wall Nut, with the outer shell on it, couered with a grayish or ash-coloured skin, which breaketh into long haire threeds, otherwise then in any other roote of Crocus.2.Crocus Byzantium argenteus.The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.This Saffron flower springeth vp in October, and seldome before, with three or foure short greene leaues at the first, but growing longer afterwards, and in the midst of them, presently after they haue appeared, one flower for the most part, and seldome two, consisting of six leaues, the three outermost whereof are somewhat larger then the other three within, and are of a pale bleake blew colour, almost white, which many call a siluer colour, the three innermost being of a purer white, with some yellow chiues in the middle, and a longer pointell ragged or fethered at the toppe: this very seldome beareth seede, but when the yeare falleth out to bee very milde; it is small, round, and of a darke colour: the roote is pretty bigge, and rounder then any other Crocus, without any flat bottome, and couered with a darke russet skinne.3.Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus.The purple mountaine Crocus.This purple Saffron flower of the Autumne, riseth vp but with one flower vsually, yet sometimes with two one after another, without any leaues at all, in September, or sometimes in August, standing vpon a longer foote-stalke then any kinde of Saffron flower, either of the Spring or Autumne, and is as large as the flower of the greatest purple Saffron flower of the Spring, of a very deepe Violet purple colour, which decayeth after it hath stood blowne three or foure dayes, and becommeth more pale, hauing in the middle some yellow chiues, and a long fether topt pointell, branched, and rising sometimes aboue the edges of the flowers: about a moneth after the flowers are past, and sometimes not vntill the first of the Spring, there riseth vp three or foure long and broad greene leaues, with a white line in euery one of them, like vnto the first purple Vernall kindes, which abide vntill the end of May or Iune: the roote is small and white on the outside, so like vnto the roote of the lesser Vernall purple or white Crocus, that it cannot be distinguished, vntill about the end of August, when it doth begin to shoot, and then by the early shooting vp a long white sprout for flower, it may be knowne. I neuer could obserue it to giue any seede, the Winter (as I thinke) comming on it so quickly after the flowring, being the cause to hinder it.4.Crocus montanus Autumnalis.The Autumne mountaine Crocus.The mountaine Saffron flower springeth vp later then any of the former, and doth not appeare vntill the middle or end of October, when all the flowers of the former are past, appearing first with three or foure short greene leaues, like vnto the Byzantine Crocus, and afterwards the flowers betweene them, which are of a pale or bleake blew tending to a purple, the foote-stalkes of them being so short, that they scarce appeare aboue ground at the first, but after two or three dayes they grow a little higher: the roote is very great and flat bottomed, couered with a grayish duskie coate or skinne, and encreaseth very little or seldome.The Place.The seuerall places of these Saffron flowers, are in part set downe in their titles; the others haue beene found out, some in one Countrey, and some in another, as the small purple and white, and stript white in Spaine: the yellow in Mesia about Belgrade, the great purple in Italy; and now by such friends helpes as haue sent them, they prosper as well in our Gardens, as in their naturall places. Yet I must giue you this to vnderstand, that some of these formerly expressed, haue been raised vp vnto vs by the sowing of their seede.The Time.Their seuerall times are likewise expressed in their descriptions; for some shew forth their pleasant flowers in the Spring, wherein for the three first moneths, our Gardens are furnished with the varietie of one sort or another: the rest in Autumne, that so they might procure the more delight, in yeelding their beauty both early and late, when scarce any other flowers are found to adorne them.The Names.I shall not neede to trouble you with an idle tale of the name of Crocus, which were to little purpose, nor to reiterate the former names imposed vpon them; let it suffice that the fittest names are giuen them, that may distinguish them one from another; onely this I must giue you to vnderstand, that the gold yellowCrocusor Saffron flower, is the trueCrocus Mæsiacus, as I shewed before; and that neither the yellow stript, or cloth of gold (which wee so call after the Dutch nameGaud Laken) is the trueMæsiacus, as some suppose; and that the great white Saffron flower, by reason of his likenesse vnto the gold yellow, is calledCrocus albus Mæsiaci facie, orfacie lutei, that is, The white Saffron flower that is like theMæsiacusor yellow.The Vertues.The true Saffron (for the others are of no vse) which wee call English Saffron, is of very great vse both for inward and outward diseases, and is very cordiall, vsed to expell any hurtfull or venomous vapours from the heart, both in the small Pockes, Measels, Plague, Iaundise, and many other diseases, as also to strengthen and comfort any cold or weake members.Page 169: Crocus.1Crocus vernus luteus vulgaris.The common yellow spring Crocus.2Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis.The true Saffron.3Crocus Byzantinus argenteus.The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.4Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus.The purple mountaine Crocus.5Crocus montanus Autumnalis.The Autumne mountaine Crocus.6Sisyrinchium maius.The greater Spanish Nut.
Chap. XVII.Crocus.Saffron.There are diuers sorts of Saffrons, whereof many doe flower in the Spring time, and some in Autumne, among whom there is but one onely kinde, that is called tame or of the Garden, which yeeldeth those blades or chiues that are vsed in meates and medicines, and many wayes profitable for other respects, none of the rest, which are all wilde kindes, giuing any blade equall vnto those of the tame kinde, or for any other vse, then in regard of their beautifull flowers of seuerall varieties, and as they haue been carefully sought out, and preserued by diuers, to furnish a Garden of dainty curiosity. To entreate therefore of these, I must, to obserue an orderly declaration, diuide them into two primary families: the former shall be of those that yeeld their pleasant flowers in the Spring of the yeare, and the other that send outtheir colours in the Autumne, among whom thatRex pomarij(as I may so call it) the tame or manured kinde, properly called of the Garden, is to be comprehended, for that it giueth his pleasant flowers at that time among others. I shall againe distribute those of the Spring time into three chiefe colours, that is, into white, purple, and yellow, and vnder euery one of them, comprehend the seuerall varieties that doe belong vnto them; which course I will also hold with those of the Autumne, that thus being rightly ranked, they may the more orderly be described.{Spring Saffron flowers}1.Crocus Vernus albus purus minor.The smaller pure white Saffron flower of the Spring.This small Saffron flower springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, with three or foure small greene leaues, somewhat broader, but much shorter then the true Saffron leaues, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe: betweene these leaues, out of a white skinne, riseth vp one or two small flowers, made of six leaues a peece, as all the rest in generall are, of a pure white colour, without any mixture in it, which abide not in flower aboue a weeke, or rather lesse, so sodainly is the pleasure of this, and the purple lost: it flowreth not for the most part, vntill a moneth after the yellow Crocus appeareth in flower, and the ordinary stript Crocus is past: the seede is small, round, and reddish, yet not so red as the seede of the yellow, contained in three square heads, yet seldome beareth, but encreaseth by the roote plentifully enough, which is small, round, and flat at the bottome, somewhat white on the outside, but whiter within, shooting out small sprouts on euery side of the roote, which is the best note to know this kinde and the lesser purple, which are both alike, from all other rootes of Saffron flowers.2.Crocus albus maior multiflorus.The great snow white Crocus.This greater Saffron flower riseth vp vsually with three or foure greene leaues, larger then the former, with a white line in euery one of them: the flowers are greater, and more in number, rising together, but flowring one after another, of a pure snow white colour, and abiding but little longer in flower then the former.3.Crocus albus maior alter dictus Mæsiacus.The great white Saffron flower or Crocus of Mesia.This great white Crocus of Mesia, riseth vp out of the ground, almost as early as the first sort of the yellow, with foure or fiue leaues, being very like vnto the leaues of the yellow Crocus, and as large, with white lines in them: the flowers also are as large as the flowers of the yellow, and many also rising one after another like vnto it, but not of so pure a white colour, as the former or last described, but rather tending to a Milky or Creame colour: the roote is not couered with any reddish, but rather pale skinnes or coates.4.Crocus albus Mæsiacus fundo violaceo.The great white Crocus of Mesia with a blew bottome.There is another of this kinde, like vnto the former in all things, sauing that the bottomes of the flowers of this kinde, with some part of the stalke next the flower, are of a pale shining purple colour, and rising vp a pretty way into the flower; whereas another also of this kind, hath a little shew or marke of blew, and not purple, at the bottome of the flower onely, which maketh a difference.5.Crocus albus fundo purpureo.The white Crocus with a purple bottome.This Saffron flower is of the same kinde with the first, both in roote, leafe, and flower, in none of them differing from it, but in that the bottome of this flower, with that part of the short foote-stalke next vnto it, is of violet or purple colour, and sometimes hauing here and there some purple small lines, or spots on the white leaues: it flowreth also with the first white, or somewhat later.6.Crocus vernus albus striatus.The white stript Crocus.This stript Saffron flower is likewise neare the same first kind, or first white Crocus, hauing the like leaues and flowers, somewhat larger, but as soone fading almost as it: but herein this flower differeth, that it hath pale blewish lines and spots in all the leaues thereof, and more principally in the three outer leaues: the root is also white on the outside, like the first white, but greater, with young ones growing round about it.7.Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor.The greater party coloured white Crocus.The greater party coloured Saffron flower, hath his greene leaues like vnto the second great white Crocus before mentioned, hauing more flowers then any of the former, except the first great white, the leaues whereof haue greater stripes then the last recited Crocus, but of a purple Violet colour, making each leafe seeme oftentimes to haue as much purple as white in them: the roote hereof is somewhat like the second white, but of a little more duskie colour on the outside, and not budding out on the sides at all, or very little.8.Crocus vernus albus versicolor.The lesser party coloured white Crocus.The leaues and flowers of this other party coloured Crocus, are for bignesse in a manner equall with the last, but hath not so many flowers rising together from the roote: the flower is finely marked with blew strakes on the white flower, but nothing so much as in the former: the roote also is like the last.9.Crocus Episcopalis.The Bishops Crocus.This party coloured or Bishops Saffron flower, is very like both in leaues and rootes vnto the Neapolitane blew Crocus, but somewhat greater: the flowers doe abide not so long time blowne, and hath all the leaues either wholly white, with blew stripes on both sides of them, or wholly of a fine delayed blew Violet colour, and the three innermost more blew and finely striped, both on the inside and outside of them, and sometimes it hath been seen to haue three leaues white, and three leaues of a pale blew.10.Crocus vernus striatus vulgaris.The ordinary stript Crocus.There is another sort of stript Saffron flower, which is most common and plentifull in most Gardens, which I must needes bring vnder the ranke of these white kinds, although it differre very notably, both in roote, leafe, and flower, from all of them: the leaues of this rise vp sooner then the yellow or white Crocus, lying spread vpon the ground for the most part, but narrower then any of the former: among these leaues spring vp diuers flowers, almost as large as the former great white Crocus, of a very bleake or pale purple colour, tending to white on the inside, and in many almost white, with some small whitish chiues tipt with yellow in the middle: the three outer leaues are of a yellowish white colour on the backe side of them, stript euery one of them with three broad stripes, of a darke murrey or purple colour, and a little sprinkled with some small purple lines, on both sides of those stripes; but on the inside, of the same pale purple or white colour with the rest: the seede hereof is somewhat darker coloured then of the white, and is more liberall in bearing: the roote is differing from all the former, being rounder and bigger then any of them, except the kindes of Misia, yet somewhat flat withall, not hauing any shootes from the sides, but setting off into rootes plentifully, hauing a round circle compassing the bottome of the roote, which easily falleth away, when it is taken vp out of the ground, and couered with a browne coate, somewhat neare the colour of the yellow Crocus, but not altogether so bright: it flowreth vsually the first of all these sorts, or with the first of the early yellowes.Page 163: Crocus.1Crocus vernus albus minor.The small white Saffron flower of the spring.2Crocus vernus Mæsiacus albus.The great white Crocus of Misia.3Crocus vernus albus striatus.The white stript Crocus.4Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor.The party coloured white Crocus.5Crocus albus fundo purpureo.The white Crocus with a purple bottome.6Crocus vernus Neapolitanus.The great blew Crocus of Naples.7Crocus vernus purpureus maximus.The great purple Crocus.8Crocus vernus purpureus striatus.The purple stript Crocus.9Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio.The purple Crocus with small leaues.10Crocus vernus flavus striatus.The yellow stript Crocus.11Crocus vernus luteus versicolor.The cloth of gold Crocus.11.Crocus vernus striatus Turcitus.The Turkie stript Crocus.There is another of this kinde, whose flower is a little larger, and of a deeper purple colour, both on the inside and outside; the greene leafe also is bigger, and of a more whitish colour.12.Crocus vernus Capillarifolio albus.The white Crocus with small leaues.This white Crocus is in all things like vnto the purple of the same kinde, but that the flower of this is wholly white: the full description therefore hereof, you shall haue in that purple with small leaues, of this kinde hereafter set downe, whereunto I referre you.13.Crocus vernus purpureus minor.The smaller purple Crocus.The smaller purple Saffron flower of the Spring, hath his greene leaues so like vnto the first white flowred Saffron, that they can hardly be distinguished, onely they seem to bee a little narrower: the flower is also much about the same bignesse, or a little bigger, and seldome beareth aboue one flower from a roote, euen as the first doth, of a deepe purple Violet colour, the bottome of the flower, with the vpper part of the stalke next thereunto, being of a deeper or blacker purple; in the middle of the flower are some pale chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a longer pointell, diuided or forked at the toppe: the roote of this is in all things so like vnto the first white, that it is impossible for the most cunning and conuersant in them, to know the one from the other. This beareth seede very sparingly, as the white doth, and is reddish like vnto it, but recompenseth that defect with a plentifull encrease by the roote: it likewise flowereth at the very same time with the white, and endureth as small a time.14.Crocus vernus purpureus maximus.The greatest purple Crocus.This great purple Crocus is of the same kinde with the next described, as well in roote as leafe, but greater; for the greene leaues hereof are the greatest and broadest of all other Crocus, with a large white line in the middle of euery one: it springeth vp much later then the former, and doth not shew his flower vntill the other bee past a good while: the flowers also are the largest of all these Crocus of the Spring time, and equalling, if not surpassing that purple kinde that flowreth in Autumne, hereafter set forth, of a very faire and deepe Violet colour, almost as deepe as the former: the seed vessels are large also and white, wherein is contained pale reddish seede, like vnto the next blew kinde, but somewhat greater: the roote is (as I said before) like vnto the next, that is, flat and round, with a duskie coloured outside, whose head for springing in it is as hardly discerned.Alter Apicibus albidis.We haue one of this kinde, the toppes onely of whose purple flower are whitish, for the breadth of halfe the naile of a mans hand, which abideth constant euery yeare in that manner, and therefore is a difference fit to be remembred.15.Crocus vernus Neapolitanus siue cæruleus maior.The greater blew Crocus of Naples.This great blew Crocus riseth vp with diuers greene leaues, broader then any of the former (except the last) with a white line running downe the inside of euery leafe, as in the former, among which riseth vp, out of diuers great long white skinnes, diuers large flowers, but not fully so great as the former, consisting of six leaues, of a paler blew or Violet colour then in the former, hauing in the middle of the flowers a few pale threeds, tipt with yellow, and a longer pointell of a gold yellow colour, forked or diuided at the toppe, smelling sweeter then in the former, and abiding a great while longer, being in flower vsually euen with the stript yellow Crocus, or before the former purple, and yeelding more plenty of seede: the roote hereof is not very great, but a little darke on the outside, being round and flat withall, that one can hardly know which is the vpperside thereof.Crocus Neapolitanus præcocior.This kinde differeth very little from the former, either in roote, leafe, or flower, for the bignesse or colour, but that it seemeth to be a little bleaker or paler blew, because it flowreth a little earlier.16.Crocus vernus purpureus striatus.The stript purple Crocus.The leaues of this stript purple Saffron flower, are as large and broad as the last, or rather a little longer: the flowers also are as plentifull, and as large, of a fine delayed purple colour on the outside, with three broad strakes or lines downe the backe of the three outer leaues, and of a little deeper purple on the inside, as the other three leaues are also of a deeper purple colour, and are striped with the same deepe purple about the ground, or bottome of the leaues: this sometimes yeeldeth three square heads, containing in them brownish seede: the roote is like vnto the last, and flowreth much about the time of the former.17.Crocus vernus purpureus versicolor.The siluer stript purple Crocus.This stript Saffron flower, is in leaues and flowers somewhat like vnto the last stript purple, but a little smaller: the flowers are of a little deeper purple through the whole leaues, striped with white lines, both on the leaues, and towards the edges, which maketh a peculiar difference from all the rest: the roote of this is not so flat, though like it, and couered with a darke ash coloured skinne: it flowreth about the same time.18.Crocus purpureus flammeus maior.The greater purple flame coloured Crocus.The greene leaues of this Crocus or Saffron flower, are of a reasonable breadth and length, and of a pleasant fresh greenesse, with a faire broad white line downe the middle of them, but rising not out of the ground so early as the next described Crocus: the flowers are likewise of a meane bignesse, of a pale purple on the outside, somewhat whitish, especially the three outer leaues; but on the inside of a deeper purple, and striped with great stripes like flames, hauing some chiues in the middle, and a longer one also feathered a little at the toppe: the roote is white on the outside, somewhat flat and round, but not so flat as the Neapolitane Crocus before described.19.Crocus purpureus flammeus minor.The lesser purple flame coloured Crocus.This Crocus hath almost as broad and long greene leaues as the former, and of the same verdure, which rise vp earlier then it, and is in flower likewise somewhat before it, being smaller for size by a little, but of as deepe a purple on the outside, as on the inside, flamed with faire broad stripes from the middle of the leaues, or somewhat lower vnto the edges: each of these giue seed that is of a pale reddish colour: the root is very like vnto the former, but a little lesser.20.Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio.The purple Crocus with small leaues.This small kinde of Saffron flower riseth out of the ground, with two or three long and small green leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the fine Fether-Grasse hereafter described, standing vpright at the first, but afterwards lying vpon the ground; among which come the flowers, sometimes three, but most vsually two vpon one stalke, if the roote be not young, which then will beare but one on a stalke, which is very short, so that the flowers scarce arise aboue the ground, yet laying themselues open in the day time, if it be faire, and the Sunne doe shine, otherwise they keepe close, and doe not open at all: and after one flower is past, which doth not last aboue three or foure dayes at the most, the others follow, which are of a bleake blewish purple in the middle of the flower, and of a deeper purple towards the ends or points or the leaues, but of a more sullen or darke purple on the outside of them, and yellowish at the bottome, with some yellow chiues in the middle: the seede is small and darker coloured then any of the former Crocus, contained also in smaller heads, standing one by anothervpon the same short foote-stalke, which then riseth vp a little higher, shewing the maner of the standing of the flowers, which in their flowring time could not so easily bee discerned: the roote is very small and round, hauing one side at the bottome lower then the other, very like the roote of aColchicumor Medowe Saffron, and somewhat neare resembling also the hoofe of an horse foote, couered with a very thicke skinne, of a darke or blackish browne colour: this flowreth the last of all the former sorts of Saffron flowers, euen when they are all past.21.Crocus vernus purpureus striatus Capillarifolio.The stript purple Crocus with small leaues.This small stript purple Saffron flower hath such like leaues, as the last described hath, betweene which riseth the flower vpon as short a foote-stalke, consisting of six leaues like the former, of a faire purple colour on the outside of the three outer leaues, with three lines or strakes downe euery leafe, of a deeper purple colour, and on the inside of a paler purple, as the other three leaues are also, with some chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a forked pointell in the middle: the roote of this is somewhat bigger then the former, and rounder, but couered with as thicke and as browne a skinne: it flowreth about the same time with the former.22.Crocus vernus luteus siue Mæsiacus.The yellow Crocus.The yellow Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with three or foure leaues out of the ground, being somewhat neare the breadth of the great purple kindes, with a white line in them, as in most of the rest: the flowers stand in the middle of these leaues, and are very large, of a gold yellow colour, with some chiues, and a forked point in the middle: the seede hereof is of a brighter colour then in any of the other: the roote is great and round, as great or greater then a Wall Nut sometimes, and couered with reddish skinnes or coates, yeelding more store of flowers then most of the former, and beginning to blowe with the first sorts, or presently after, but outlast many of them, and are of a pleasant good sent.Flore aureo.Of this kinde we haue some, whose flowers are of a deeper gold yellow colour then others, so that they appeare reddish withall.Flore pallido.And we haue also another sort, whose flowers are very pale, betweene a white and a yellow, not differing in any thing else.Flore viridante luteo.And another smaller, whose flower hath a shew of greennesse in the yellow, and more greene at the bottome.23.Crocus vernus flavus striatus.The yellow stript Crocus.This kinde of yellow stript Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with more store of narrower and greener leaues then the former, and after the leaues are spread, there rise vp many yellow flowers from among them, which are not of so faire and bright a yellow colour, but more dead and sullen, hauing on the backside of each of the three outtermost leaues, three small stripes, of an ouer-worne or dull purple colour, with some chiues and a pointell in the middle: the roote of this kinde, is very like the roote of the former yellow, but somewhat smaller and shorter, and couered with the like reddish skinnes, but a little sadder: it flowreth not so early as the former yellow, but abideth almost as long as it.24.Crocus vernus luteus versicolor primus.The best cloth of gold Crocus.The fairest cloth of gold Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp very early, euen with the first, or the first of all other Crocus, with three or foure very narrow and short leaues, of a whiter colour then any of the former, which by and by after doe shew forth the flowers, rising from among them out of the same white skinne, which includeth the leaues, but are not so plentifull as the former yellow, being but two or three at the most, of a faire gold yellow colour, yet somewhat paler then the first, hauing on the backe of euery of the three outer leaues, three faire and great stripes, of a faire deepe purple colour, with some small lines at the sides or edges of those purple stripes; on the inside of these flowers, there is no signe or shew of any line or spot, but wholly of a faire gold yellow, with chiues and a fethertopt pointell in the middle: the seede hereof is like the former, but not so red: the roote of this kinde is easily knowne from the roote of any other Saffron flower, because the outer peelings or shels being hard, are as it were netted on the outside, hauing certaine ribbes, rising vp higher then the rest of the skinnes, diuided in the forme of a net-worke, of a darke browne colour, and is smaller and rounder then the former yellow, and not encreasing so plentifully by the roote.25.Crocus vernus luteus versicolor alter.The second cloth of gold, or Duke Crocus.There is no difference either in roote, leafe, or colour of flower, or time of flowring in this sort from the last before mentioned; for the flower of this is of the same bignesse and colour, the only note of difference is in the marking of the three outer leaues, which haue not three stripes like the former, but are wholly of the same deepe purple colour on the backe of them, sauing that the edges of them are yellow, which is the forme of a Duke Tulipa, and from thence it tooke the name of a Duke Crocus.26.Crocus vernus versicolor pallideluteus.The pale cloth of gold Crocus.We haue a third sort of this kinde of cloth of gold Crocus, which hath leaues and flowers like the former, but differeth in this, that the colour of the flower is of a paler yellow by much, but stript in the same manner as the first, but with a fainter purple colour: the roote also is netted like them, to shew that this is but a variation of the same kinde.27.Crocus vernus versicolor albidoluteus.The cloth of siluer Crocus.The chiefest note of difference in this Saffron flower is, that being as large a flower as any of the former of this kinde, it is of so pale a yellowish white, that it is more white then yellow, which some doe call a butter colour: the three outer leaues are striped on the backe of them, with a paler purple blew shining colour, the bottome of the flower, and the vpper part of the stalke, being of the same purple blew colour: the roote of this is also netted as the other, to shew it is a variety of the same kinde.{Autumn Saffron flowers}And thus much for those Saffron flowers that come in the Spring time; now to those that flower in Autumne onely: and first of the true Saffron.1.Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis.The true Saffron.The true Saffron that is vsed in meates and medicines, shooteth out his narrow long greene leaues first, and after a while the flowers in the middle of them appeare about the end of August, in September and October, according to the soile, and climate where they growe; these flowers are as large as any of the other former or late sorts, composed of six leaues a peece, of a murrey or reddish purple colour, hauing a shew of blew in them: in the middle of these flowers there are some small yellow chiues standing vpright, which are as vnprofitable, as the chiues in any other of the wilde Saffrons, before or hereafter specified; but besides these, each flower hath two, three, or foure greater and longer chiues, hanging downe vpon or betweene the leaues, which are of a fierie red colour, and are the true blades of Saffron, which are vsed physically or otherwise, and no other: All these blades being pickt from the seuerall flowers, are laid and pressed together into cakes, and afterwards dryed very warily on a Kill to preserue them; as they are to be seene in the shops where they are sold. I neuer heard that euer it gaue seede with any: the roote groweth often to be as great, or greater then a green Wall Nut, with the outer shell on it, couered with a grayish or ash-coloured skin, which breaketh into long haire threeds, otherwise then in any other roote of Crocus.2.Crocus Byzantium argenteus.The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.This Saffron flower springeth vp in October, and seldome before, with three or foure short greene leaues at the first, but growing longer afterwards, and in the midst of them, presently after they haue appeared, one flower for the most part, and seldome two, consisting of six leaues, the three outermost whereof are somewhat larger then the other three within, and are of a pale bleake blew colour, almost white, which many call a siluer colour, the three innermost being of a purer white, with some yellow chiues in the middle, and a longer pointell ragged or fethered at the toppe: this very seldome beareth seede, but when the yeare falleth out to bee very milde; it is small, round, and of a darke colour: the roote is pretty bigge, and rounder then any other Crocus, without any flat bottome, and couered with a darke russet skinne.3.Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus.The purple mountaine Crocus.This purple Saffron flower of the Autumne, riseth vp but with one flower vsually, yet sometimes with two one after another, without any leaues at all, in September, or sometimes in August, standing vpon a longer foote-stalke then any kinde of Saffron flower, either of the Spring or Autumne, and is as large as the flower of the greatest purple Saffron flower of the Spring, of a very deepe Violet purple colour, which decayeth after it hath stood blowne three or foure dayes, and becommeth more pale, hauing in the middle some yellow chiues, and a long fether topt pointell, branched, and rising sometimes aboue the edges of the flowers: about a moneth after the flowers are past, and sometimes not vntill the first of the Spring, there riseth vp three or foure long and broad greene leaues, with a white line in euery one of them, like vnto the first purple Vernall kindes, which abide vntill the end of May or Iune: the roote is small and white on the outside, so like vnto the roote of the lesser Vernall purple or white Crocus, that it cannot be distinguished, vntill about the end of August, when it doth begin to shoot, and then by the early shooting vp a long white sprout for flower, it may be knowne. I neuer could obserue it to giue any seede, the Winter (as I thinke) comming on it so quickly after the flowring, being the cause to hinder it.4.Crocus montanus Autumnalis.The Autumne mountaine Crocus.The mountaine Saffron flower springeth vp later then any of the former, and doth not appeare vntill the middle or end of October, when all the flowers of the former are past, appearing first with three or foure short greene leaues, like vnto the Byzantine Crocus, and afterwards the flowers betweene them, which are of a pale or bleake blew tending to a purple, the foote-stalkes of them being so short, that they scarce appeare aboue ground at the first, but after two or three dayes they grow a little higher: the roote is very great and flat bottomed, couered with a grayish duskie coate or skinne, and encreaseth very little or seldome.The Place.The seuerall places of these Saffron flowers, are in part set downe in their titles; the others haue beene found out, some in one Countrey, and some in another, as the small purple and white, and stript white in Spaine: the yellow in Mesia about Belgrade, the great purple in Italy; and now by such friends helpes as haue sent them, they prosper as well in our Gardens, as in their naturall places. Yet I must giue you this to vnderstand, that some of these formerly expressed, haue been raised vp vnto vs by the sowing of their seede.The Time.Their seuerall times are likewise expressed in their descriptions; for some shew forth their pleasant flowers in the Spring, wherein for the three first moneths, our Gardens are furnished with the varietie of one sort or another: the rest in Autumne, that so they might procure the more delight, in yeelding their beauty both early and late, when scarce any other flowers are found to adorne them.The Names.I shall not neede to trouble you with an idle tale of the name of Crocus, which were to little purpose, nor to reiterate the former names imposed vpon them; let it suffice that the fittest names are giuen them, that may distinguish them one from another; onely this I must giue you to vnderstand, that the gold yellowCrocusor Saffron flower, is the trueCrocus Mæsiacus, as I shewed before; and that neither the yellow stript, or cloth of gold (which wee so call after the Dutch nameGaud Laken) is the trueMæsiacus, as some suppose; and that the great white Saffron flower, by reason of his likenesse vnto the gold yellow, is calledCrocus albus Mæsiaci facie, orfacie lutei, that is, The white Saffron flower that is like theMæsiacusor yellow.The Vertues.The true Saffron (for the others are of no vse) which wee call English Saffron, is of very great vse both for inward and outward diseases, and is very cordiall, vsed to expell any hurtfull or venomous vapours from the heart, both in the small Pockes, Measels, Plague, Iaundise, and many other diseases, as also to strengthen and comfort any cold or weake members.Page 169: Crocus.1Crocus vernus luteus vulgaris.The common yellow spring Crocus.2Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis.The true Saffron.3Crocus Byzantinus argenteus.The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.4Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus.The purple mountaine Crocus.5Crocus montanus Autumnalis.The Autumne mountaine Crocus.6Sisyrinchium maius.The greater Spanish Nut.
There are diuers sorts of Saffrons, whereof many doe flower in the Spring time, and some in Autumne, among whom there is but one onely kinde, that is called tame or of the Garden, which yeeldeth those blades or chiues that are vsed in meates and medicines, and many wayes profitable for other respects, none of the rest, which are all wilde kindes, giuing any blade equall vnto those of the tame kinde, or for any other vse, then in regard of their beautifull flowers of seuerall varieties, and as they haue been carefully sought out, and preserued by diuers, to furnish a Garden of dainty curiosity. To entreate therefore of these, I must, to obserue an orderly declaration, diuide them into two primary families: the former shall be of those that yeeld their pleasant flowers in the Spring of the yeare, and the other that send outtheir colours in the Autumne, among whom thatRex pomarij(as I may so call it) the tame or manured kinde, properly called of the Garden, is to be comprehended, for that it giueth his pleasant flowers at that time among others. I shall againe distribute those of the Spring time into three chiefe colours, that is, into white, purple, and yellow, and vnder euery one of them, comprehend the seuerall varieties that doe belong vnto them; which course I will also hold with those of the Autumne, that thus being rightly ranked, they may the more orderly be described.
This small Saffron flower springeth vp in the beginning of the yeare, with three or foure small greene leaues, somewhat broader, but much shorter then the true Saffron leaues, with a white line downe the middle of euery leafe: betweene these leaues, out of a white skinne, riseth vp one or two small flowers, made of six leaues a peece, as all the rest in generall are, of a pure white colour, without any mixture in it, which abide not in flower aboue a weeke, or rather lesse, so sodainly is the pleasure of this, and the purple lost: it flowreth not for the most part, vntill a moneth after the yellow Crocus appeareth in flower, and the ordinary stript Crocus is past: the seede is small, round, and reddish, yet not so red as the seede of the yellow, contained in three square heads, yet seldome beareth, but encreaseth by the roote plentifully enough, which is small, round, and flat at the bottome, somewhat white on the outside, but whiter within, shooting out small sprouts on euery side of the roote, which is the best note to know this kinde and the lesser purple, which are both alike, from all other rootes of Saffron flowers.
This greater Saffron flower riseth vp vsually with three or foure greene leaues, larger then the former, with a white line in euery one of them: the flowers are greater, and more in number, rising together, but flowring one after another, of a pure snow white colour, and abiding but little longer in flower then the former.
This great white Crocus of Mesia, riseth vp out of the ground, almost as early as the first sort of the yellow, with foure or fiue leaues, being very like vnto the leaues of the yellow Crocus, and as large, with white lines in them: the flowers also are as large as the flowers of the yellow, and many also rising one after another like vnto it, but not of so pure a white colour, as the former or last described, but rather tending to a Milky or Creame colour: the roote is not couered with any reddish, but rather pale skinnes or coates.
There is another of this kinde, like vnto the former in all things, sauing that the bottomes of the flowers of this kinde, with some part of the stalke next the flower, are of a pale shining purple colour, and rising vp a pretty way into the flower; whereas another also of this kind, hath a little shew or marke of blew, and not purple, at the bottome of the flower onely, which maketh a difference.
This Saffron flower is of the same kinde with the first, both in roote, leafe, and flower, in none of them differing from it, but in that the bottome of this flower, with that part of the short foote-stalke next vnto it, is of violet or purple colour, and sometimes hauing here and there some purple small lines, or spots on the white leaues: it flowreth also with the first white, or somewhat later.
This stript Saffron flower is likewise neare the same first kind, or first white Crocus, hauing the like leaues and flowers, somewhat larger, but as soone fading almost as it: but herein this flower differeth, that it hath pale blewish lines and spots in all the leaues thereof, and more principally in the three outer leaues: the root is also white on the outside, like the first white, but greater, with young ones growing round about it.
The greater party coloured Saffron flower, hath his greene leaues like vnto the second great white Crocus before mentioned, hauing more flowers then any of the former, except the first great white, the leaues whereof haue greater stripes then the last recited Crocus, but of a purple Violet colour, making each leafe seeme oftentimes to haue as much purple as white in them: the roote hereof is somewhat like the second white, but of a little more duskie colour on the outside, and not budding out on the sides at all, or very little.
The leaues and flowers of this other party coloured Crocus, are for bignesse in a manner equall with the last, but hath not so many flowers rising together from the roote: the flower is finely marked with blew strakes on the white flower, but nothing so much as in the former: the roote also is like the last.
This party coloured or Bishops Saffron flower, is very like both in leaues and rootes vnto the Neapolitane blew Crocus, but somewhat greater: the flowers doe abide not so long time blowne, and hath all the leaues either wholly white, with blew stripes on both sides of them, or wholly of a fine delayed blew Violet colour, and the three innermost more blew and finely striped, both on the inside and outside of them, and sometimes it hath been seen to haue three leaues white, and three leaues of a pale blew.
There is another sort of stript Saffron flower, which is most common and plentifull in most Gardens, which I must needes bring vnder the ranke of these white kinds, although it differre very notably, both in roote, leafe, and flower, from all of them: the leaues of this rise vp sooner then the yellow or white Crocus, lying spread vpon the ground for the most part, but narrower then any of the former: among these leaues spring vp diuers flowers, almost as large as the former great white Crocus, of a very bleake or pale purple colour, tending to white on the inside, and in many almost white, with some small whitish chiues tipt with yellow in the middle: the three outer leaues are of a yellowish white colour on the backe side of them, stript euery one of them with three broad stripes, of a darke murrey or purple colour, and a little sprinkled with some small purple lines, on both sides of those stripes; but on the inside, of the same pale purple or white colour with the rest: the seede hereof is somewhat darker coloured then of the white, and is more liberall in bearing: the roote is differing from all the former, being rounder and bigger then any of them, except the kindes of Misia, yet somewhat flat withall, not hauing any shootes from the sides, but setting off into rootes plentifully, hauing a round circle compassing the bottome of the roote, which easily falleth away, when it is taken vp out of the ground, and couered with a browne coate, somewhat neare the colour of the yellow Crocus, but not altogether so bright: it flowreth vsually the first of all these sorts, or with the first of the early yellowes.
Page 163: Crocus.1Crocus vernus albus minor.The small white Saffron flower of the spring.2Crocus vernus Mæsiacus albus.The great white Crocus of Misia.3Crocus vernus albus striatus.The white stript Crocus.4Crocus vernus albus polyanthos versicolor.The party coloured white Crocus.5Crocus albus fundo purpureo.The white Crocus with a purple bottome.6Crocus vernus Neapolitanus.The great blew Crocus of Naples.7Crocus vernus purpureus maximus.The great purple Crocus.8Crocus vernus purpureus striatus.The purple stript Crocus.9Crocus vernus purpureus Capillarifolio.The purple Crocus with small leaues.10Crocus vernus flavus striatus.The yellow stript Crocus.11Crocus vernus luteus versicolor.The cloth of gold Crocus.
There is another of this kinde, whose flower is a little larger, and of a deeper purple colour, both on the inside and outside; the greene leafe also is bigger, and of a more whitish colour.
This white Crocus is in all things like vnto the purple of the same kinde, but that the flower of this is wholly white: the full description therefore hereof, you shall haue in that purple with small leaues, of this kinde hereafter set downe, whereunto I referre you.
The smaller purple Saffron flower of the Spring, hath his greene leaues so like vnto the first white flowred Saffron, that they can hardly be distinguished, onely they seem to bee a little narrower: the flower is also much about the same bignesse, or a little bigger, and seldome beareth aboue one flower from a roote, euen as the first doth, of a deepe purple Violet colour, the bottome of the flower, with the vpper part of the stalke next thereunto, being of a deeper or blacker purple; in the middle of the flower are some pale chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a longer pointell, diuided or forked at the toppe: the roote of this is in all things so like vnto the first white, that it is impossible for the most cunning and conuersant in them, to know the one from the other. This beareth seede very sparingly, as the white doth, and is reddish like vnto it, but recompenseth that defect with a plentifull encrease by the roote: it likewise flowereth at the very same time with the white, and endureth as small a time.
This great purple Crocus is of the same kinde with the next described, as well in roote as leafe, but greater; for the greene leaues hereof are the greatest and broadest of all other Crocus, with a large white line in the middle of euery one: it springeth vp much later then the former, and doth not shew his flower vntill the other bee past a good while: the flowers also are the largest of all these Crocus of the Spring time, and equalling, if not surpassing that purple kinde that flowreth in Autumne, hereafter set forth, of a very faire and deepe Violet colour, almost as deepe as the former: the seed vessels are large also and white, wherein is contained pale reddish seede, like vnto the next blew kinde, but somewhat greater: the roote is (as I said before) like vnto the next, that is, flat and round, with a duskie coloured outside, whose head for springing in it is as hardly discerned.
Alter Apicibus albidis.
We haue one of this kinde, the toppes onely of whose purple flower are whitish, for the breadth of halfe the naile of a mans hand, which abideth constant euery yeare in that manner, and therefore is a difference fit to be remembred.
This great blew Crocus riseth vp with diuers greene leaues, broader then any of the former (except the last) with a white line running downe the inside of euery leafe, as in the former, among which riseth vp, out of diuers great long white skinnes, diuers large flowers, but not fully so great as the former, consisting of six leaues, of a paler blew or Violet colour then in the former, hauing in the middle of the flowers a few pale threeds, tipt with yellow, and a longer pointell of a gold yellow colour, forked or diuided at the toppe, smelling sweeter then in the former, and abiding a great while longer, being in flower vsually euen with the stript yellow Crocus, or before the former purple, and yeelding more plenty of seede: the roote hereof is not very great, but a little darke on the outside, being round and flat withall, that one can hardly know which is the vpperside thereof.
Crocus Neapolitanus præcocior.
This kinde differeth very little from the former, either in roote, leafe, or flower, for the bignesse or colour, but that it seemeth to be a little bleaker or paler blew, because it flowreth a little earlier.
The leaues of this stript purple Saffron flower, are as large and broad as the last, or rather a little longer: the flowers also are as plentifull, and as large, of a fine delayed purple colour on the outside, with three broad strakes or lines downe the backe of the three outer leaues, and of a little deeper purple on the inside, as the other three leaues are also of a deeper purple colour, and are striped with the same deepe purple about the ground, or bottome of the leaues: this sometimes yeeldeth three square heads, containing in them brownish seede: the roote is like vnto the last, and flowreth much about the time of the former.
This stript Saffron flower, is in leaues and flowers somewhat like vnto the last stript purple, but a little smaller: the flowers are of a little deeper purple through the whole leaues, striped with white lines, both on the leaues, and towards the edges, which maketh a peculiar difference from all the rest: the roote of this is not so flat, though like it, and couered with a darke ash coloured skinne: it flowreth about the same time.
The greene leaues of this Crocus or Saffron flower, are of a reasonable breadth and length, and of a pleasant fresh greenesse, with a faire broad white line downe the middle of them, but rising not out of the ground so early as the next described Crocus: the flowers are likewise of a meane bignesse, of a pale purple on the outside, somewhat whitish, especially the three outer leaues; but on the inside of a deeper purple, and striped with great stripes like flames, hauing some chiues in the middle, and a longer one also feathered a little at the toppe: the roote is white on the outside, somewhat flat and round, but not so flat as the Neapolitane Crocus before described.
This Crocus hath almost as broad and long greene leaues as the former, and of the same verdure, which rise vp earlier then it, and is in flower likewise somewhat before it, being smaller for size by a little, but of as deepe a purple on the outside, as on the inside, flamed with faire broad stripes from the middle of the leaues, or somewhat lower vnto the edges: each of these giue seed that is of a pale reddish colour: the root is very like vnto the former, but a little lesser.
This small kinde of Saffron flower riseth out of the ground, with two or three long and small green leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the fine Fether-Grasse hereafter described, standing vpright at the first, but afterwards lying vpon the ground; among which come the flowers, sometimes three, but most vsually two vpon one stalke, if the roote be not young, which then will beare but one on a stalke, which is very short, so that the flowers scarce arise aboue the ground, yet laying themselues open in the day time, if it be faire, and the Sunne doe shine, otherwise they keepe close, and doe not open at all: and after one flower is past, which doth not last aboue three or foure dayes at the most, the others follow, which are of a bleake blewish purple in the middle of the flower, and of a deeper purple towards the ends or points or the leaues, but of a more sullen or darke purple on the outside of them, and yellowish at the bottome, with some yellow chiues in the middle: the seede is small and darker coloured then any of the former Crocus, contained also in smaller heads, standing one by anothervpon the same short foote-stalke, which then riseth vp a little higher, shewing the maner of the standing of the flowers, which in their flowring time could not so easily bee discerned: the roote is very small and round, hauing one side at the bottome lower then the other, very like the roote of aColchicumor Medowe Saffron, and somewhat neare resembling also the hoofe of an horse foote, couered with a very thicke skinne, of a darke or blackish browne colour: this flowreth the last of all the former sorts of Saffron flowers, euen when they are all past.
This small stript purple Saffron flower hath such like leaues, as the last described hath, betweene which riseth the flower vpon as short a foote-stalke, consisting of six leaues like the former, of a faire purple colour on the outside of the three outer leaues, with three lines or strakes downe euery leafe, of a deeper purple colour, and on the inside of a paler purple, as the other three leaues are also, with some chiues tipt with yellow pendents, and a forked pointell in the middle: the roote of this is somewhat bigger then the former, and rounder, but couered with as thicke and as browne a skinne: it flowreth about the same time with the former.
The yellow Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with three or foure leaues out of the ground, being somewhat neare the breadth of the great purple kindes, with a white line in them, as in most of the rest: the flowers stand in the middle of these leaues, and are very large, of a gold yellow colour, with some chiues, and a forked point in the middle: the seede hereof is of a brighter colour then in any of the other: the roote is great and round, as great or greater then a Wall Nut sometimes, and couered with reddish skinnes or coates, yeelding more store of flowers then most of the former, and beginning to blowe with the first sorts, or presently after, but outlast many of them, and are of a pleasant good sent.
Flore aureo.
Of this kinde we haue some, whose flowers are of a deeper gold yellow colour then others, so that they appeare reddish withall.
Flore pallido.
And we haue also another sort, whose flowers are very pale, betweene a white and a yellow, not differing in any thing else.
Flore viridante luteo.
And another smaller, whose flower hath a shew of greennesse in the yellow, and more greene at the bottome.
This kinde of yellow stript Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp with more store of narrower and greener leaues then the former, and after the leaues are spread, there rise vp many yellow flowers from among them, which are not of so faire and bright a yellow colour, but more dead and sullen, hauing on the backside of each of the three outtermost leaues, three small stripes, of an ouer-worne or dull purple colour, with some chiues and a pointell in the middle: the roote of this kinde, is very like the roote of the former yellow, but somewhat smaller and shorter, and couered with the like reddish skinnes, but a little sadder: it flowreth not so early as the former yellow, but abideth almost as long as it.
The fairest cloth of gold Crocus or Saffron flower, riseth vp very early, euen with the first, or the first of all other Crocus, with three or foure very narrow and short leaues, of a whiter colour then any of the former, which by and by after doe shew forth the flowers, rising from among them out of the same white skinne, which includeth the leaues, but are not so plentifull as the former yellow, being but two or three at the most, of a faire gold yellow colour, yet somewhat paler then the first, hauing on the backe of euery of the three outer leaues, three faire and great stripes, of a faire deepe purple colour, with some small lines at the sides or edges of those purple stripes; on the inside of these flowers, there is no signe or shew of any line or spot, but wholly of a faire gold yellow, with chiues and a fethertopt pointell in the middle: the seede hereof is like the former, but not so red: the roote of this kinde is easily knowne from the roote of any other Saffron flower, because the outer peelings or shels being hard, are as it were netted on the outside, hauing certaine ribbes, rising vp higher then the rest of the skinnes, diuided in the forme of a net-worke, of a darke browne colour, and is smaller and rounder then the former yellow, and not encreasing so plentifully by the roote.
There is no difference either in roote, leafe, or colour of flower, or time of flowring in this sort from the last before mentioned; for the flower of this is of the same bignesse and colour, the only note of difference is in the marking of the three outer leaues, which haue not three stripes like the former, but are wholly of the same deepe purple colour on the backe of them, sauing that the edges of them are yellow, which is the forme of a Duke Tulipa, and from thence it tooke the name of a Duke Crocus.
We haue a third sort of this kinde of cloth of gold Crocus, which hath leaues and flowers like the former, but differeth in this, that the colour of the flower is of a paler yellow by much, but stript in the same manner as the first, but with a fainter purple colour: the roote also is netted like them, to shew that this is but a variation of the same kinde.
The chiefest note of difference in this Saffron flower is, that being as large a flower as any of the former of this kinde, it is of so pale a yellowish white, that it is more white then yellow, which some doe call a butter colour: the three outer leaues are striped on the backe of them, with a paler purple blew shining colour, the bottome of the flower, and the vpper part of the stalke, being of the same purple blew colour: the roote of this is also netted as the other, to shew it is a variety of the same kinde.
And thus much for those Saffron flowers that come in the Spring time; now to those that flower in Autumne onely: and first of the true Saffron.
The true Saffron that is vsed in meates and medicines, shooteth out his narrow long greene leaues first, and after a while the flowers in the middle of them appeare about the end of August, in September and October, according to the soile, and climate where they growe; these flowers are as large as any of the other former or late sorts, composed of six leaues a peece, of a murrey or reddish purple colour, hauing a shew of blew in them: in the middle of these flowers there are some small yellow chiues standing vpright, which are as vnprofitable, as the chiues in any other of the wilde Saffrons, before or hereafter specified; but besides these, each flower hath two, three, or foure greater and longer chiues, hanging downe vpon or betweene the leaues, which are of a fierie red colour, and are the true blades of Saffron, which are vsed physically or otherwise, and no other: All these blades being pickt from the seuerall flowers, are laid and pressed together into cakes, and afterwards dryed very warily on a Kill to preserue them; as they are to be seene in the shops where they are sold. I neuer heard that euer it gaue seede with any: the roote groweth often to be as great, or greater then a green Wall Nut, with the outer shell on it, couered with a grayish or ash-coloured skin, which breaketh into long haire threeds, otherwise then in any other roote of Crocus.
This Saffron flower springeth vp in October, and seldome before, with three or foure short greene leaues at the first, but growing longer afterwards, and in the midst of them, presently after they haue appeared, one flower for the most part, and seldome two, consisting of six leaues, the three outermost whereof are somewhat larger then the other three within, and are of a pale bleake blew colour, almost white, which many call a siluer colour, the three innermost being of a purer white, with some yellow chiues in the middle, and a longer pointell ragged or fethered at the toppe: this very seldome beareth seede, but when the yeare falleth out to bee very milde; it is small, round, and of a darke colour: the roote is pretty bigge, and rounder then any other Crocus, without any flat bottome, and couered with a darke russet skinne.
This purple Saffron flower of the Autumne, riseth vp but with one flower vsually, yet sometimes with two one after another, without any leaues at all, in September, or sometimes in August, standing vpon a longer foote-stalke then any kinde of Saffron flower, either of the Spring or Autumne, and is as large as the flower of the greatest purple Saffron flower of the Spring, of a very deepe Violet purple colour, which decayeth after it hath stood blowne three or foure dayes, and becommeth more pale, hauing in the middle some yellow chiues, and a long fether topt pointell, branched, and rising sometimes aboue the edges of the flowers: about a moneth after the flowers are past, and sometimes not vntill the first of the Spring, there riseth vp three or foure long and broad greene leaues, with a white line in euery one of them, like vnto the first purple Vernall kindes, which abide vntill the end of May or Iune: the roote is small and white on the outside, so like vnto the roote of the lesser Vernall purple or white Crocus, that it cannot be distinguished, vntill about the end of August, when it doth begin to shoot, and then by the early shooting vp a long white sprout for flower, it may be knowne. I neuer could obserue it to giue any seede, the Winter (as I thinke) comming on it so quickly after the flowring, being the cause to hinder it.
The mountaine Saffron flower springeth vp later then any of the former, and doth not appeare vntill the middle or end of October, when all the flowers of the former are past, appearing first with three or foure short greene leaues, like vnto the Byzantine Crocus, and afterwards the flowers betweene them, which are of a pale or bleake blew tending to a purple, the foote-stalkes of them being so short, that they scarce appeare aboue ground at the first, but after two or three dayes they grow a little higher: the roote is very great and flat bottomed, couered with a grayish duskie coate or skinne, and encreaseth very little or seldome.
The Place.The seuerall places of these Saffron flowers, are in part set downe in their titles; the others haue beene found out, some in one Countrey, and some in another, as the small purple and white, and stript white in Spaine: the yellow in Mesia about Belgrade, the great purple in Italy; and now by such friends helpes as haue sent them, they prosper as well in our Gardens, as in their naturall places. Yet I must giue you this to vnderstand, that some of these formerly expressed, haue been raised vp vnto vs by the sowing of their seede.
The seuerall places of these Saffron flowers, are in part set downe in their titles; the others haue beene found out, some in one Countrey, and some in another, as the small purple and white, and stript white in Spaine: the yellow in Mesia about Belgrade, the great purple in Italy; and now by such friends helpes as haue sent them, they prosper as well in our Gardens, as in their naturall places. Yet I must giue you this to vnderstand, that some of these formerly expressed, haue been raised vp vnto vs by the sowing of their seede.
The Time.Their seuerall times are likewise expressed in their descriptions; for some shew forth their pleasant flowers in the Spring, wherein for the three first moneths, our Gardens are furnished with the varietie of one sort or another: the rest in Autumne, that so they might procure the more delight, in yeelding their beauty both early and late, when scarce any other flowers are found to adorne them.
Their seuerall times are likewise expressed in their descriptions; for some shew forth their pleasant flowers in the Spring, wherein for the three first moneths, our Gardens are furnished with the varietie of one sort or another: the rest in Autumne, that so they might procure the more delight, in yeelding their beauty both early and late, when scarce any other flowers are found to adorne them.
The Names.I shall not neede to trouble you with an idle tale of the name of Crocus, which were to little purpose, nor to reiterate the former names imposed vpon them; let it suffice that the fittest names are giuen them, that may distinguish them one from another; onely this I must giue you to vnderstand, that the gold yellowCrocusor Saffron flower, is the trueCrocus Mæsiacus, as I shewed before; and that neither the yellow stript, or cloth of gold (which wee so call after the Dutch nameGaud Laken) is the trueMæsiacus, as some suppose; and that the great white Saffron flower, by reason of his likenesse vnto the gold yellow, is calledCrocus albus Mæsiaci facie, orfacie lutei, that is, The white Saffron flower that is like theMæsiacusor yellow.
I shall not neede to trouble you with an idle tale of the name of Crocus, which were to little purpose, nor to reiterate the former names imposed vpon them; let it suffice that the fittest names are giuen them, that may distinguish them one from another; onely this I must giue you to vnderstand, that the gold yellowCrocusor Saffron flower, is the trueCrocus Mæsiacus, as I shewed before; and that neither the yellow stript, or cloth of gold (which wee so call after the Dutch nameGaud Laken) is the trueMæsiacus, as some suppose; and that the great white Saffron flower, by reason of his likenesse vnto the gold yellow, is calledCrocus albus Mæsiaci facie, orfacie lutei, that is, The white Saffron flower that is like theMæsiacusor yellow.
The Vertues.The true Saffron (for the others are of no vse) which wee call English Saffron, is of very great vse both for inward and outward diseases, and is very cordiall, vsed to expell any hurtfull or venomous vapours from the heart, both in the small Pockes, Measels, Plague, Iaundise, and many other diseases, as also to strengthen and comfort any cold or weake members.
The true Saffron (for the others are of no vse) which wee call English Saffron, is of very great vse both for inward and outward diseases, and is very cordiall, vsed to expell any hurtfull or venomous vapours from the heart, both in the small Pockes, Measels, Plague, Iaundise, and many other diseases, as also to strengthen and comfort any cold or weake members.
Page 169: Crocus.1Crocus vernus luteus vulgaris.The common yellow spring Crocus.2Crocus verus sativus Autumnalis.The true Saffron.3Crocus Byzantinus argenteus.The siluer coloured Autumne Crocus.4Crocus Pyrenæus purpureus.The purple mountaine Crocus.5Crocus montanus Autumnalis.The Autumne mountaine Crocus.6Sisyrinchium maius.The greater Spanish Nut.