There is nothing extant in any Author of any Physicall vse it hath, neyther hath any later experience found out any.
Chap. CXX.
Laburnum. Beane Trefoile.
There be three sorts of these codded trees or plants, one neere resembling another, whereof Anagyris of Dioscorides is one. The other two are called Laburnum; the larger whereof Matthiolus calleth Anagyris altera, and so doe some others also: the third is of the same kinde with the second, but smaller. I shall not for this our Garden trouble you or my selfe with any more of them then one, which is the lesser of the two Laburnum, in that it is more frequent, and that it will far better abide then the Anagyris, which is so tender, that it will hardly endure the winters of our Countrey: and the greater Laburnum is not so easily to be had.
Laburnum. Beane Trefoile.
This codded tree riseth vp with vs like vnto a tall tree, with a reasonable great body, if it abide any long time in a place, couered with a smooth greene barke; the branches are very long, greene, pliant, and bending any way, whereon are set here and there diuers leaues, three alwaies standing together vpon a long stalk, being somewhat long, and not very narrow, pointed at the ends, greene on the vpperside, and of a siluer shining colour vnderneath, without any smell at all: at the ioynts of these branches, where the leaues stand, come forth many flowers, much like vnto broome flowers, but not so large or open, growing about a very long branch or stalke, sometimes a good span or more in length, and of a faire yellow colour, but not very deepe; after which come flat thin cods, not very long or broade, but as tough and hard as the cods of Broome; wherein are contained blackish seede, like, but much lesse then the seede of Anagyris vera (which are as big as a kidney beane, purplish and spotted): the roote thrusteth down deepe into the ground, spreading also farre, and is of a yellowish colour.
The Place.
This tree groweth naturally in many of the woods of Italie, and vpon the Alpes also, and is therefore still accounted to be that Laburnum that Plinie calleth Arbor Alpina. It groweth in many gardens with vs.
The Time.
It flowreth in May, the fruit or cods, and the seedes therein are ripe in the end of August, or in September.