Chap. C.
Cardamine.
Cuckow flowers, or Ladies smockes.
Of the common sorts of Cuckow flowers that grow by ditch-sides, or in moist medowes, & wet grounds, it is not my purpose here to write, but of one or two other, the most specious or faire of all the tribe, that doe best befit this garden.
1. Cardamine flore pleno. Double Cuckow flowers.
The double Cardamine hath a few winged leaues, weake and tender, lying on the ground, very like vnto the single medow kinde; from among which riseth vp a round greene stalke, set here and there, with the like leaues that grow below, the top whereof hath a few branches, whereon stand diuers flowers, euery one vpon a small footestalk, consisting of many small whitish round leaues, a little dasht ouer with a shew of blush, set round together, which make a double flower: the roote creepeth vnder ground, sending forth small white fibres, and shooteth vp in diuers places.
2. Cardamine trifolia. Trefoile Ladies smockes.
This small plant hath diuers hard, darke round greene leaues, somewhat vneuen about the edges, alwayes three set together on a blackish small footstalke, among which rise vp small round blackish stalkes, halfe a foote high, with three small leaues at the ioynts, where they branch forth; at the toppes whereof stand many flowers, consisting of foure leaues a peece, of a whitish or blush colour very pale: after which come vp small, thicke and long pods, wherein is contained small round seede: the root is composed of many white threds, from the heads whereof runne out small strings, of a dark purple colour, whereby it encreaseth.
The Place.
The first with the double flower is found in diuers places of our owne Countrey, as neere Micham about eight miles from London; also in Lancashire, from whence I receiued a plant, which perished, but was found by the industrie of a worthy Gentlewoman, dwelling in those parts heretofore remembred, called Mistresse Thomasin Tunstall, a great louer of these delights. The other was sent me by my especiall good friend Iohn Tradescante, who brought it among other dainty plants from beyond the Seas, and imparted thereof a roote to me.
The Time.
The last most vsually flowreth before the former, yet not much differing, that is, in the end of Aprill or in May.
The Names.
The first is a double kinde of that plant, that growing wilde abroade, is vsually called Cardamine altera, and Sisymbrium alterum of Dioscorides, and of some Flos cuculi, but not fitly; for that name is more vsually giuen vnto the wilde featherd Campion, both single and double, as is before expressed: yet for want of a fitter name, wee may call it in English, eyther Cuckowe flower, or Ladyes smockes which you will. The second hath beene sent vnder the name of Sanicula trifolia, but the most frequent name now receiued, is Cardamine trifolia, and in English Trefoile Ladies smockes.
The Vertues.
The double Ladies smockes are of the same qualitie with the single, and is thought to be as effectuall as Watercresses. The propertie of the other I thinke is not much knowne, although some would make it a wound herbe.