The Names.
It hath no other name then is set down in the title, being altogether a Nouelist, and not now to be seene with any sauing my selfe.
The Vertues.
We haue not yet known any use hereof in Physick.
Chap. LXXVI.
Cnicus siue Carthamus sativus. Bastard or Spanish Saffron.
There are two or three sorts of Cnicus or bastard Saffrons which I passe ouer, as not fit for this Garden, and onely set downe this kinde, whose flowers are of a fairer and more liuely colour in our Country, then any hath come ouer from Spaine, where they manure it for the profit they make thereof, seruing for the dying of Silke especially, and transporting great quantities to diuers Countries. It hath large broad leaues, without any prickes at all vpon them in our Country, growing vpon the stalke, which is strong, hard, and round, with shorter leaues thereon vp to the toppe, where they are a little sharpe pointed, and prickly about the edges sometimes, which stalke riseth three or foure foote high, and brancheth it selfe toward the toppe, bearing at the end of euery branch one great open scaly head, out of which thrusteth out many gold yellow threads, of a most orient shining colour, which being gathered in a dry time, and kept dry, will abide in the same delicate colour that it bare when it was fresh, for a very long time after: when the flowers are past, the seede when it is come to maturity, which is very seldome with vs, is white and hard, somewhat long, round, and a little cornered: the roote is long, great, and wooddy, and perisheth quickly with the first frosts.
The Place.
It groweth in Spaine, and other hot Countries, but not wilde, for that it is accounted of the old Writers, Theophrastus and Dioscorides, to be a manured plant.