Of White Asphodill.
The kindes (las clases).
HAuing finished the kindes of Corne, it followeth to shew vnto you the sundry forts of Asphodils, whereof some haue bulbous rootes, other tuberous or knobbie rootes; some of yellow colour, and some of mixt colours, notwithstanding Dioscorides maketh mention but of one Asphodill: but Plinie setteth downe two, which Dionysius confirmeth saying, that there is the male and female Asphodill. The latter age hath obserued many more besides the bulbed one, of which Galen maketh mention. 1 Asphodelus non ramosus. White Asphodill. 2 Asphodelus ramosus. Branched Asphodill.
The description (la descripción).
The white Asphodil hath many long and narrow leaues, like those of leekes, sharpe pointed. The stalke is round, smooth, naked, and without leaues, two cubits high, garnished from the middle vpward with a number of flowers, star fashion, made of fiue leaues a peece; the colour white, with some darke purple strakes drawen down the back side. Within the flowers be certaine small chiues. The flower being past, there spring vp little round heads, wherin are contained hard, blacke, and three square seeds as are those of Buckwheate, or Staphisacre. The roote is compact of many knobbie rootes, growing out of one head like those of the Peonie, full of iuice, with a small bitternes and binding taste. 2 Branched Asphodill agreeth well with the former description, sauing that this hath many branches or armes growing out of the stalke, whereon the flowers do grow, and the other hath not any branch at all, wherein consisteth the difference. 3 Asphodill with the reddish flower groweth vp in rootes, stalke, leafe, and maner of growing like the precedent, sauing that the flowers of this be of a darke red colour, and the others white, which fetteth foorth the difference, if there be any such difference, or any such plant at all; for I haue conferred with many most excellent men in the knowledge of plants, but none of them can giue me certaine knowledge of any such, but tell me they haue heard it reported that such a one there is, and so haue I also, but certainly I cannot set downe any thing of this plant, vntill I heare more certainty; for as yet I giue no credit to my author, which for reuerence of his person, I forbeare to name. 4 The yellow Asphodill hath many rootes growing out of one head, made of sundrie tough, fat, and oleous yellow springs, or grosse strings, from the which rise vp many grassie leaues, thicke and grosse, tending to squarenes: among the which commeth vp a strong thicke stalke, set with the like leaues euen to the flowers, but lesser: vpon the which do grow starlike yellow flowers, otherwise like the white Asphodill. 3 Asphodelus flore rubente. Red Asphodill. 4 Asphodelus luteus. Yellow Asphodill.
The place (el lugar).
These kindes of Asphodils come vp of themselues in the prouince of France, Italie, Spaine, and in other countries thereabout: we haue them in our London gardens.
The time (la época).
They flower in May and Iune, and that by parcels or peecemeale, beginning belowe, and so flowering vpward.
The names (los nombres).
Asphodill is called in Latine Asphodelus, Albucum, Albucus, and Hastula Regia: in Greeke ασφόδελος: in English Asphodill, not Daffodill; for Daffodill is Narcissus, another plant differing from Asphodill. Pliny writeth that the stalke with the flowers is called Anthericos, and the roote, that is to say, the bulbs Asphodelus. Of this Asphodill Hesiod maketh mention in his works, where he saith, that fooles knowe not how much good there is in the Mallow and in the Asphodill, bicause the rootes of Asphodill are good to be eaten. Yet Galen doth not beleeue that he ment of this Asphodill, but of that bulbed one, whereof we will make mention hereafter. And he himselfe testifieth, that the bulbs thereof are not to be eaten without very long seething; and therefore it is not like that Hesiod hath commended any such: for he seemeth to vnderstand by the Mallow and the Asphodill, such kinde of foode as is easily prepared, and soone made ready.
The temperature (el temperamento).
These kindes of Asphodils be hot and drie almost in the third degree.
The vertues (las virtudes).
After the opinion of Dioscorides and Aetius, the rootes of Asphodill eaten, prouoke vrine and the termes effectually, especially being stamped and strained with wine and drunke. One dram thereof taken in wine in maner before rehearsed, helpeth the paine in the sides, ruptures, conuulsions, and the old cough. The rootes boiled in dregs of wine cure foule eating vlcers, all inflammations of the dugs, or stones, and easeth the fellon being put thereto as a pultus. The iuice of the roote boiled in old sweete wine, togither with a little myrrhe and saffron, maketh an excellent Collyrie profitable for the eies. Galen saith, the rootes burnt to ashes, and mixed with the grease of a ducke, helpeth Alopecia, bringeth haire againe that was fallen by meanes of that disease. The weight of a dram thereof taken with wine helpeth the drawing together of sinewes, cramps, and burstings. The like quantitie taken in broth prouoketh vomit, and helpeth those that are bitten with any venemous beast. The iuice of the roote clenseth and taketh away the white morphew, if the face be annointed therewith: but first the place must be chafed and well rubbed with a course linnen cloth.
Texto en la ortografía original de Gerard, en inglés de 1597 (la s larga se imprime como s), transcrito por la Source Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Un capítulo puede continuar en páginas aún no transcritas. Gerard escribía dentro de la medicina galénica; nada de esto es un consejo.