The first, second, and third flower in Aprill, the other two not vntill May.
The Names.
The first is called of Matthiolus Lilac, and by that name is most vsually called in all parts. It is also called Syringa cærulea, because it commeth nearest vnto those woods, which for their pithy substance, were made hollow into pipes. It is called of all in English, The blew Pipe tree. It seemeth likely, that Petrus Bellonius in his third Booke and fiftieth Chapter of his obseruations (making mention of a shrubbe that the Turkes haue, with Iuie leaues alwaies greene, bearing blew or violet coloured flowers on a long stalke, of the bignesse and fashion of a Foxe taile, and thereupon called in their language a Foxe taile) doth vnderstand this plant here expressed. The certainty whereof might easily be knowne, if any of our Merchants there residing, would but call for such a shrubbe, by the name of a Foxe taile in the Turkish tongue, and take care to send a young roote, in a small tubbe or basket with earth by Sea, vnto vs here at London, which would be performed with a very little paines and cost. The second and third, as kindes thereof, haue their names in their titles. The fourth is called by Clusius and others, Frutex Coronarius; some doe call it Lilac flore albo, but that name is not proper, in that it doth confound both kindes together. Lobel calleth it Syringa Italica. It is now generally called of all Syringa alba, that is in English, The white Pipe tree. Some would haue it to bee Ostrys of Theophrastus, but Clusius hath sufficiently cleared that doubt. Of others Ligustrum Orientale, which it cannot be neither; for the Cyprus of Plinie is Dioscorides his Ligustrum, which may be called Orientale, in that it is most proper to the Easterne Countries, and is very sweete, whose seede is like vnto Coriander seede. The last is called by diuers Syringa Arabica flore albo duplici, as most fitly agreeing thereunto. Of Basilius Beslerus that set forth the great booke of the Bishop of Eystot in Germany his Garden, Syringa Italica flore albo pleno, because, as it is likely, hee had it from Italy. It is very likely, that Prosper Alpinus in his booke of Egyptian plants, doth meane this plant, which hee there calleth Sambach, siue Iasminum Arabicum. Matthæus Caccini of Florence in his letter to Clusius entituleth it Syringa Arabica, siue Iasminum Arabicum, siue Iasminum ex Gine, whereby hee declareth that it may not vnfitly be referred to either of them both. We may call it in English as it is in the title, The double white Pipe tree.
The Vertues.
We haue no vse of these in Physicke that I know, although Prosper Alpinus saith, the double white Pipe tree is much vsed in Egypt to help women in their trauailes of childbirth.
Chap. CVIII.
Sambucus Rosea. The Elder or Gelder Rose.
Although there be diuers kindes of Elders, yet there is but one kinde of Elder Rose, whereof I meane to intreate in this Chapter, being of neare affinity in some things vnto the former Pipe trees, and which for the beauty of it deserueth to be remembred among the delights of a Garden.