Chap. LXVI.
Scorsonera. Vipers grasse.
Although there be foure or fiue sorts of Scorsonera, yet I shall here desire you to be content with the knowledge only of a couple.
1. Scorsonera Hispanica maior. The greater Spanish Vipers grasse.
This Spanish Vipers grasse hath diuers long, and somewhat broad leaues, hard and crumpled on the edges, and sometimes vneuenly cut in or indented also, of a blewish greene colour: among which riseth vp one stalke, and no more for the most part, two foote high or thereabouts, hauing here and there some narrower long leaues thereon then those below: the toppe of the stalke brancheth it selfe forth into other parts, euery one bearing a long scaly head, from out of the toppe whereof riseth a faire large double flower, of a pale yellow colour, much like vnto the flower of yellow Goates beard, but a little lesser, which being past, the seede succeedeth, being long, whitish and rough, inclosed with much downe, and among them many other long smooth seedes, which are limber and idle, and are carryed away at the will of the winde: the roote is long, thicke and round, brittle and blacke, with a certaine roughnesse on the outside: but very white within, yeelding a milkie liquor being broken, as euery other part of the plant doth besides, yet the roote more then any other part, and abideth many yeares without perishing.
2. Scorsonera Pannonica purpurea. Purple flowred Vipers grasse.
This purple flowred Vipers grasse hath long and narrow leaues, of the same blewish greene colour with the former: the stalke riseth vp a foote and a halfe high, with a few such like leaues, but shorter thereon, breaking at the toppe into two or three parts, bearing on each of them one flower, fashioned like the former, and standing in the like scaly knoppe or head, but of a blewish purple colour, not fully so large, of the sweetest sent of any of this kinde, comming neerest vnto the smell of a delicate perfume.
The Place.
The first is of Spaine. The other of Hungarie and Austrich: which now furnish our gardens.