The herball or Generall historie of plantes. Gathered by Iohn Gerarde of London Master in Chirurgerie very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Iohnson citizen and apothecarye of London

¶ The Description.

1 The roots of our common Rushes are long and hairy, spreading largely in the ground, from which, as from one entire tuft, proceed a great company of small rushes; so exceedingly well knowne, that I shall not need to spend much time about the description thereof.

2 There be sundry sorts of Rushes besides the former, whose pictures are not here exprest, and the rather, for that the generall description of Rushes, as also their common vse and seruice, are sufficient to leade vs to the knowledge of them. This great Water-Grasse or Bul-Rush, in stead of leaues bringeth forth many strait twiggie shoots or springs, which be round, smooth, sharpe pointed, and without knots. Their tuft or flower breaketh forth a little beneath the top, vpon the one side of the Rush, growing vpon little short stems like Grape clusters, wherein is contained the seed after the fashion of a speares point. The roots be slender and full of strings. Pliny, and Theophrastus before him, affirme that the roots of the Rush do die euery yeare, and that

it groweth againe of the seed. And they affirme likewise that the male is barren, and groweth againe of the yong shoots; yet I could neuer obserue any such thing.

‡ 3 There growes a Rush to the thicknes of a Reed, and to some two yards and an halfe, or three yards high, in diuers fenny grounds in this kingdome; it is very porous and light, and they vsually make mats, and bottom chaires therewith. The seeds are contained in reddish tufts, brea∣king out at the top thereof. The roots are large and ioynted, and it grows not vnlesse in waters. ‡

4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 acutus, or the sharpe Rush, is likewise common and well knowne; not much diffe∣ring from Iuncus laeuis, but harder, rougher, and sharper pointed, fitter to straw houses and cham∣bers than any of the rest; for the others are so soft and pithy, that they turne to dust and filth with much treading; where contrariwise this rush is so hard that it will last sound much longer.

‡ 5 There is also another pretty small kinde of Rush growing to some foot in heigth, ha∣uing smooth stalkes which end in a head like to that of the ordinary Horse-taile. This rush hath also one little 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towards the bottome thereof. It growes in watery places, but not so fre∣quently as the former. ‡

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1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 laeuis. Common Rushes.

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4 Iuncus acutus. Sharpe Rush, or hard Rush.

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3 Iuncus aquaticus maximus. Great Water-Rush, or Bul-Rush.