The first and second flower earlier then the last, for that it flowreth not vntill September or October, (vnlesse it be not apt to beare the first yeare as I before said) so that many times (if none be more forward) it perisheth without bearing ripe seede, whereby we are oftentimes to seeke new seede from our friends in other parts.
The Names.
They haue all one generall name of Scabious, distinguished eyther by their flower, or place of growing, as in their titles: yet the last is called of diuers Scabiosa exotica, because they thinke the name Indica, is not truely imposed vpon it.
The Vertues.
Whether these kindes haue any of the vertues of the other wilde kinds, I know none haue made any experience, and therefore I can say no more of them.
Chap. LXXIIII.
Cyanus. Corne flower, or blew Bottles.
Vnder the name of Cyanus are comprehended, not onely those plants which from the excellent blew colour of their flowers (furnishing or rather pestering the Corne fieldes) haue peculiarly obtained that name, and which doth much vary also, in the colour of the flowers, as shall be shewed; but some other plants also for their neere resemblance, but with seuerall distinctions. The Cyanus maior, Ptarmica Austriaca, Ptarmica Imperati, and many others which may be adioyned vnto them, do more fitly belong to the Garden of Simples, whereunto I leaue them, and will here only entreate of those that may most please the delight of our Gentle Florists, in that I labour and striue, to furnish this our garden, with the chiefest choyse of natures beauties and delights.
1. Cyanus vulgaris diuersorum colorum. Corne flower of diuers colours.
All these sorts of Corne flowers are for the most part alike, both in leaues and flowers one vnto another for the forme: the difference betweene them consisteth in the varying colour of the flowers: For the leaues are long, and of a whitish greene colour, deeply cut in on the edges in some places, somewhat like vnto the leaues of a Scabious: the stalkes are two foote high or better, beset with such like leaues but smaller, and little or nothing cut in on the edges: the toppes are branched, bearing many small greene scaly heads, out of which rise flowers, consisting of fiue or sixe, or more long and hollow leaues, small at the bottome, and opening wider and greater at the brims, notched or cut in on the edges, and standing round about many small threds in the middle: the colours of these flowers are diuers, and very variable; for some are wholly blew, or white, or blush, or of a sad, or light purple, or of a light or dead red, or of an ouerworne purple colour, or else mixed of these colours, as some, the edges white, and the rest blew or purple, or the edges blew or purple, and the rest of the flower white, or striped, spotted, or halfed, the one part of one colour, and the other of another, the threds likewise in the middle varying in many of them; for some will haue the middle thrume of a deeper purple then the outer leaues, and some haue white or blush leaues, the middle thrume being reddish, deeper or paler. After the flowers are past, there come small, hard, white and shining seede in those heads, wrapped or set among a deale of flockie matter, as is most vsuall, in all plants that beare scaly heads: the rootes are long and hard, perishing euery yeare when it hath giuen seede.