Of Twayblade, or herbe Bifoile.

1 Ophris Bifolia. Twaiblade. 2 Ophris trifolia. Trefoile Twaiblade.

The description.

1 Herbe Byfoile hath many small fibres or threddie strings, fastened vnto a small knot or roote, from which riseth vp a slender stemme or stalke, tender, fat, and full of iuice; in the middle whereof, are placed in comely order two broade leaues, ribbed and chamfered, in shape like the leaues of Plantaine: vpon the top of the stalke groweth a slender greenish bushe of flowers, made of many small flowers; each little flower resembling a gnat, or little gosling newly hatched, very like those of the third sort of Serapias stones. 2 Ophris Trifolia or Trefoile twaiblade, hath rootes, tender stalkes, and bush of flowers like the precedent; but differeth in that, that this plant hath three leaues which do clippe or imbrace the stalke about; and the other hath but two, and neuer more, wherein especially consisteth the difference: although in truth I thinke it a degenerate kinde, and hath gotten a thirde leafe per accident, as doth sometimes chaunce vnto the adders toong, as shall be declared in the chapter following.

The place.

The first groweth in moist medowes, fennie grounds and shadowie places. I haue found it in many places, as at Southfleete in Kent, in a wood of Master Sydleys by Longfield downes, in the wood by London called Hampsteede-wood, in the fields by Highgate, in the woods by Ouenden neere to Clare in Essex, and in the woods by Dunmow in Essex. The other sort is seldome seene.

The time.

They flower in May and Iune.

The names.

It is called of the later Herbarists Bifolium, and Ophris.

The vertues.

It is reported of the Herbarists of our time, to be good for greene wounds, burstings, and ruptures; whereof I haue in my vnguents and Balsams for greene wounds, had great experience, and good successe.