The Place.
The foure first plants doe grow naturally in many of the hot Countries of Europe, as Spaine, Italie, and Prouince in France; as also in Candy, Barbary, and other places, and must be carefully kept with vs in the winter time. The Liue long was brought out of the West Indies, and groweth plentifully in our gardens. The two last doe grow as well in the colder Countries of Germany, as in France and other places.
The Time.
They all flower in the end of September, if they will shew out their beauty at all with vs, for sometimes it is so late, that they haue no faire colour at all, especially the foure first sorts.
The Names.
Variable and many are the names that seuerall Writers do call these foure first sorts of plants, as Helichrysum, Heliochrysum, or Elichrysum, Eliochrysum, Chrysocome, Coma aurea, Amaranthus luteus, Stoechas Citrina, and Aurelia, with others, needlesse here to be recited: it is sufficient for this worke, to giue you knowledge that their names are sufficient as they are expressed in their titles: The fift is called Gnaphalium by Carolus Clusius, from the likenesse of the vmbels or tufts of heads, though greater and white: for as I said before, the Cotton weedes are of kindred with the golden tufts: It hath been called by our English Gentlewomen, Liue long, and Life euerlasting, because of the durabilitie of the flowers in their beautie. The two last are called Gnaphalium, according to their titles; and in English they may passe vnder those names are set downe with them.
The Vertues.
The foure first are accounted to bee hot and dry, and the three last to bee cold and dry: yet all of them may to some good purpose bee applyed to rheumaticke heads. The former foure are likewise vsed to cause vrine, and in baths to comfort and heate cold parts. They are also layd in chests and wardrobes, to keepe garments from moths; and are worne in the heads and armes of Gentiles and others, for their beautifull aspect.