Lauender is little vsed in inward physicke, but outwardly; the oyle for cold and benummed parts, and is almost wholly spent with vs, for to perfume linnen, apparrell, gloues, leather, &c., and the dryed flowers to comfort and dry vp the moisture of a cold braine.
Chap. CXXVIII.
Stœchas. Sticadoue, Cassidony, or French Lauender.
Cassidony that groweth in the Gardens of our Countrey, may peraduenture somewhat differ in colour, as well as in strength, from that which groweth in hotter Countries; but as it is with vs, it is more tender a great deale then Lauender, and groweth rather like an herbe then a bush or shrub, not aboue a foote and a halfe high, or thereabouts, hauing many narrow long greene leaues like Lauender, but softer and smaller, set at seuerall distances together about the stalkes, which spread abroad into branches: at the tops whereof stand long and round, and sometimes foure square heads, of a darke greenish purple colour, compact of many scales set together; from among which come forth the flowers, of a blewish purple colour, after which follow seede vessels, which are somewhat whitish when they are ripe, containing blackish browne seede within them: the roote is somewhat wooddy, and will hardly abide the iniuries of our cold Winters, except in some places onely, or before it haue flowred: The whole plant is somewhat sweete, but nothing so much as Lauender.
The Place.
Cassidony groweth in the Islands Stæchades, which are ouer against Marselles, and in Arabia also: we keep it with great care in our Gardens.
The Time.
It flowreth the next yeare after it is sowne, in the end of May, which is a moneth before any Lauender.
The Names.
It is called of some Lauendula siluestris, but most vsually Stæchas in English, of some Stichadoue, or French Lauender; and in many parts of England, Cassidony.