Of Corne grasse.
The description.
Corne grasse hath many grassie leaues, resembling those of Rie, or rather Otes, among the which commeth vp slender bentie stalks, kneed or iointed like those of corne, whereupon doth grow a faire tuft or pannicle, not much vnlike to the feather-like tuft of common Reede, but rounder compact togither like vnto Millet. The roote is threddie like those of Otes. 2 Reede grasse hath many thin grassie leaues, like vnto the former. The bushie top, with his long feather-like pannicles do resemble the common Reede, which is lightly shaken with the winde: branched vpon a long slender reeden stalke, kneed or iointed like corne. The roote is small and fibrous. 1 Gramen segetale. Corne grasse. <column-break/> 2 Gramen harundinaceum. Reede grasse. <column-break/>
The place.
These kindes of grasses do growe for the most part neere unto hedges, and in fallow fields in most places.
The time.
Their time of springing, flowring and fading, may be referred to the common Medow grasse.
The names.
The first is called in English Corne grasse. Of Lobelius in his learned observations Agrorum venti spica, and Gramen agrorum: of others Gramen segetale, either of the likenes it hath with corne, or that it groweth among corne, the which I have not as yet seene. The second is called in English Reede grasse. Of Lobelius in Latine Gramen harundinaceum, or Gramen agrorum, latiore arundinacea & comosa pannicula, for that his tuft or pannicles do resemble the Reede. And Spica venti agrorum: for by reason of his feather top, which is easily shaken with the winde.
The vertues.
These grasses are thought to agree with common grasse, as well in temperature, as vertues, although not used in phisicke, as yet knowen.
Text in Gerard's own spelling (the long s is printed as s), transcribed by the Source Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). A chapter may run onto pages not yet transcribed. Gerard wrote within Galenic medicine; nothing here is advice.