Of Darnell grasse.
The description.
DArnell grasse or Sorghinum, as Lobelius hath very properly set downe, hath a brownish stalke, thicke and knottie, set with long sharpe leaues like vnto the common Reede: at the top whereof groweth a tuft or eare, of a browne colour, somewhat like Sorghum, whereof it tooke his name, as also of the Italian corne Pannicke, it is called Panniculatum. Wilde Reede or Gramen harundinaceum, or Panniculatum, called also Calamogrostis, is far lesser than Couch grasse, or Dogs grasse; & yet in stalks and leaues more rough, rugged and cutting. Bad foode for cattell, vnlesse they want, or be very hungrie: bicause that, as the husbandman doth say, it is a cause of leannes in them, thirst, and consumption, cutteth their toong, straiteneth the gullet or throte, and draweth downe blood into the stomacke or mawe: whereof insueth inflammation, and death for the most part. And not onely this Calamogrostis is hurtfull, but also all other kindes of shearing leaued reedes, flags, sedge, or whinne, which haue as it were edges, and cut on both sides like kniues as well mens fingers as cattels mouthes. This herbe is in a meane betweene reede and grasse. The roote is white, creeping downward very deepe. The spike or eare is like vnto the reede, being soft and cottonie, somewhat resembling Pannicke. 1 Gramen Sorghinum. Darnell grasse. 2 Gramen harundinaceum panniculatum. Wilde Reede.
The place.
They grow in fennie waterish places like vnto the former.
The time.
They flower and fade at the same time that the others do.
The names.
In Lincolneshire, it is called Sheeregraffe or Henne: in other places of the land, Wilde Reede: in Latine Calamogrostis, out of the Greeke, καλαμαγρῶστις. As for their natures and vertues, we do not finde any great vse of them worth the setting downe.
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.