376 The Garden of pleafant Flowers. 



led Gnaphalium, according to their titles ; and in Englifh they may pafle vn- 

 der thofe names are fet downe with them. 



The Vertues. 



The foure firft are accounted to bee hot and dry, and the three laft to bee 

 cold and dry : yet all of them may to fome good purpofe bee applyed to 

 rheumaticke heads. The former foure are likewife vfed to caufe vrine, and 

 in baths to comfort and heate cold parts. They are alfo layd in chefts and 

 wardrobes, to keepe garments from moths ; and are worne in the heads and 

 armes of Gentiles and others, for their beautifull afpect. 



CHAP. XCIIII. 

 Canna Indica. The Indian flowring Reede. 



THere are two kindes or forts of this beautifull plant, the one with a red flower, 

 the other with a yellow, fpotted with reddifh fpots, both which in fome kind- 

 ly yeares haue borne their braue flowers, but neuer any ripe feede, and doth 

 not abide the extremities of our winters, eyther abroade or vnder couert, vnlefle it 

 meete with a ftoue or hot-houfe, fuch as are vfed in Germany, or fuch other like place : 

 For neyther houfe nor cellar will preferue it, for want of heate. 



Canna Indica fore rubro. Red flowred Indian Reede. 



This beautifull plant rifeth vp with faire greene, large, broade leaues, euery one ri- 

 fing out of the middle of the other, and are folded together, or writhed like vnto a 

 paper Coffin (as they call it) fuch as Comfitmakers and Grocers vfe, to put in their 

 Comfits and Spices, and being fpread open, another rifeth from the bottome thereof, 

 folded in the fame manner, which are fet at the ioynts of the ftalke when it is rifen vp, 

 like vnto our water Reede, and growing (if it runne vp for flower) to be three or foure 

 foote high, as I haue obferued in mine owne garden : the flowers grow at the toppe of 

 the ftalke one aboue another, which before their opening are long, fmall, round, and 

 pointed at the end, very like vnto the claw of a Crauife or Sea-Crab, and of the fame 

 red or crimfon colour, but being open, are very like vnto the flower of Gladiolus or 

 Corne-flagge, but of a more orient colour then at the firft, and ftanding in a rough 

 huske, wherein afterwards ftandeth a three fquare head, containing therein round 

 blacke feede, of the bignefle of a peafe : the roote is white and tuberous, growing in- 

 to many knobs, from whence arife fuch other leaues and ftalkes, whereby it encreafeth 

 very much, if it be rightly kept and defended. 



_ 



Canna Indica fore flauo punStato. 

 Yellow fpotted Indian Reede. 



This Reede groweth vp with leaues and flowers, in all points fo like vnto the for- 

 mer, that it cannot bee knowne from it, vntill it come to flower, which is of a yellow 

 colour, fpotted with reddifh fpots, without any other difference. 



The Place. 



Thefe plants grow naturally in the Weft Indies, from whence they were 

 firft fent into Spaine, and Portugall, where Clufius faith he faw them plan- 

 ted by the houfes fides, flowring in winter, which might be in thofe warme 

 Countreyes. We preferue them with great care in our gardens, for the beau- 

 tifull afpea of their flowers. 



The 



