The yellow Lupine groweth not vsually so high, but with larger leaues then the small blew Lupine; the flowers grow in two or three rundles or tufts, round about the stalke and the branches at the ioynts, of a delicate fine yellow colour, like in fashion vnto the other kindes, being larger then the last, but nothing so large as the greater kindes, and of a fine small sent: the seede is round, and not very flat, but much about the forme and bignesse of the small blew, or somewhat bigger, of a whitish colour on the outside, spotted with many spots.
The Place.
The first groweth in many places of Greece, and the Easterne Countries beyond it, where it hath beene anciently cherished for their foode, being often watered to take away the bitternesse. It groweth also in these Western parts, but still where it is planted. The great blew Lupine is thought to come from beyond the parts of Persia, in Caramania. The lesser blew is found very plentifully wilde, in many places both of Spaine and Italy. The last hath beene brought vs likewise out of Spaine, whereas it is thought it groweth naturally. They all grow now in the gardens of those, that are curious louers of these delights.
The Time.
They flower in Summer, and their seede is ripe quickly after.
The Names.
They are generally called Lupini. Plautus in his time saith, they were vsed in Comedies in stead of money, when in any Scene thereof there was any shew of payment, and therefore he calleth them Aurum Comicum. And Horace hath this Verse,
Nec tamen ignorant, quid distent æra Lupinis,
to shew that counterfeit money (such as counters are with vs, or as these Lupines were vsed in those times) was easily knowne from true and currant coine. In English wee vsually call them after the Latine name, Lupines; and some after the Dutch name, Figge-beanes, because they are flat and round as a Figge that is pressed; and some Flat-beanes for the same reason. Some haue called the yellow Lupine, Spanish Violets: but other foolish names haue beene giuen it, as Virginia Roses, and the like, by knauish Gardiners and others, to deceiue men, and make them beleeue they were the finders out, or great preseruers of rarities, of no other purpose, but to cheate men of their money: as you would therefore auoyde knaues and deceiuers, beware of these manner of people, whereof the skirts of our towne are too pitifully pestered.