Of Bastard Felwoort.
The description.
The Bastard Felwoort hath many small tender branches, set with many little leaues at euery ioint by couples like those of the small Centorie. At the top of the stalkes do grow hollow flowers, bell fashion, of an excellent faire blew colour, like vnto those flowers which Dodoneus calleth Viola Calathiana. The seede is blacke, and very small. The roote is very little, and some strings thereto fastened. The second kind hath many little ribbed leaues, like those of the small Plantaine; among which riseth vp a tender stalk set with such leaues by couples, as those were that did grow next the ground. The flowers grow at the top of the stalkes, compact of fiue little leaues, of a perfect blew colour. The roote is small and tender. 1 Gentianella Alpina xi. Clusij. Bastard Felwoort. 2 Gentianella Alpina verna. Alpes Felwoort of the spring time.
The place.
The first of these wilde Gentians doth growe vpon the mountaines of Heluetia, and of Germanie, but are strangers as yet in England. The second groweth plentifully in Waterdowne forest in Suffex, in the way that leadeth from Charlewoodes lodge vnto a house of the Lord of Abergauenie, called Eridge house, by a brooke side there, especially vpon a heath by Colbrooke neere London; on the plaine of Salisburie, harde by the turning from the saide plaine vnto the right honorable the Lorde of Pembrookes house at Wilton, and vpon a chalkie banke in the high waie betweene Saint Albons and Goramberrie.
The time.
They flower and flourish from August to the ende of October.
The names.
Their is as much saide in the title touching their names, as is extant in writing, aswell in English as Latine.
The vertues.
There faculties in working are referred vnto the other Gentians, although they be of lesse force and bitternesse.
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.