I put both Succorie and Endiue into one chapter and description, because they are both of one kindred; and although they differ a little the one from the other, yet they agree both in this, that they are eaten eyther greene or whited, of many.
Endiue, the smooth as well as the curld, beareth a longer and a larger leafe then Succorie, and abideth but one yeare, quickely running vp to stalke and seede, and then perisheth: whereas Succorie abideth many years, and hath long and narrower leaues, somewhat more cut in, or torne on the edges: both of them haue blew flowers, and the seede of the smooth or ordinary Endiue is so like vnto the Succorie, that it is very hard to distinguish them asunder by sight; but the curld Endiue giueth blackish and flat seede, very like vnto blacke Lettice seede: the rootes of the Endiue perish, but the Succorie abideth.
Although Succorie bee somewhat more bitter in taste then the Endiues, yet it is oftentimes, and of many eaten greene, but more vsually being buried a while in sand, that it may grow white, which causeth it to lose both some part of the bitternesse, as also to bee the more tender in the eating; and Horace sheweth it to be vsed in his time, in the 32. Ode of his first Book, where he saith,
Endiue being whited in the same, or any other manner, is much vsed in winter, as a sallet herbe with great delight; but the curld Endiue is both farre the fairer, and the tenderer for that purpose.