4. Flos Africanus minor multiplex. The lesser double French Marigold.
The lesser double French Marigold hath his leaues in all things like vnto the former, but somewhat lesser, which are set vpon round browne stalkes, not so stiffe or vpright, but bowing and bending diuers wayes, and sometimes leaning or lying vpon the ground: the stalkes are branched out diuersly, whereon are set very faire double flowers like the former, and in the like greene huskes, but smaller, and in some the outermost leaues will be larger then any of the rest, and of a deeper Orenge colour, almost crimson, the innermost being of a deepe gold yellow colour, tending to crimson; the whole flower is smaller, and of a stronger and more vnpleasant sauour, so that but for the beautifull colour, and doublenesse of the flower, pleasant to the eye, and not to any other sense, this kinde would finde roome in few Gardens: the rootes and seedes are like the former, but lesser.
5. Flos Africanus minor simplex. The small single French Marigold.
This single kinde doth follow after the last in all manner of proportion, both of stalkes, leaues, seedes, and rootes: the flowers onely of this are single, hauing fiue or six broad leaues, of a deepe yellow crimson colour, with deepe yellow thrummes in the middle, and of as strong a stinking sent, or more then the last.
The Place.
They growe naturally in Africa, and especially in the parts about Tunis, and where old Carthage stood, from whence long agoe they were brought into Europe, where they are onely kept in Gardens, being sowne for the most part euery yeare, vnlesse in some milde Winters. The last single and double kindes (as being more hardy) haue sometimes endured: but that kinde with hollow leafed flowers, as Fabius Columna setteth it downe, is accounted to come from Mexico in America.
The Time.
They flower not vntill the end of Summer, especially the greater kindes: but the lesser, if they abide all the Winter, doe flower more early.
The Names.
They haue been diuersly named by diuers men: Some calling them Caryophyllus Indicus, that is, Indian Gilloflowers, and Tanacetum Perüvianum, Tansie of Peru, as if it grew in Peru, a Prouince of America; and Flos Indicus, as a flower of the Indies; but it hath not been knowne to haue beene brought from thence. Others would haue it to be Othonna of Plinie, and others; some to be Lycopersicum of Galen. It is called, and that more truely, Flos Tunetensis, Flos Africanus, and Caltha Africana, that is, the flower of Tunis, the flower of Africa, the Marigold of Africa, and peraduenture Pedna Pænorum. We in English most vsually call them, French Marigolds, with their seuerall distinctions of greater or smaller, double or single. To that with hollow leafed flowers, Fabius Columna giueth the name of Fistiloso flore, and I so continue it.