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

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Title
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
Author
Gerard, John, 1545-1612.
Publication
London :: Printed by Adam Islip Ioice Norton and Richard Whitakers,
anno 1633.
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Subject terms
Botany -- Pre-Linnean works -- Early works to 1800.
Botany, Medical -- Early works to 1800.
Gardens -- England -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A01622.0001.001
Cite this Item
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A01622.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 22, 2025.

Pages

¶ The Description.

1 BOth Dioscoridcs and Pliny make two kindes of Serpillum, that is, of cree∣ping or wilde Time; whereof the first is our common creeping Time, which is sowell knowne, that it needeth no description; yet this ye shall vnderstand, that it beareth floures of a purple colour, as euery body knoweth. Of which kinde I found another sort, with floures as white as snow, and haue planted it in my garden, where it becommeth an herbe of great beauty:

2 This wilde Time that bringeth forth white floures differeth not from the other, but only in the colour of the floures, whence it may be cal∣led Serpillum vulgare flore albo. White floured Wilde Time.

There is another kinde of Serpillum, which groweth in gardens, in smell and sauour resem∣bling Marjerome. It hath leaues like Organy, or wilde Marjerome, but somewhat whiter, putting forth many small stalkes, set full of leaues like Rue, but longer, narrower, and harder. The floures are of a biting taste, and pleasant smell. The whole plant groweth vpright, whereas the other creepeth along vpon the earth, catching hold where it growes, & spreading it selfe far abroad.

3 This great wilde Time creepeth not as the others doe, but standeth vpright, and bringeth forth little slender branches full of leaues like those of Rue; yet narrower, longer, and harder. The flours be of a purple colour, and of a twing∣ging biting taste: it groweth vpon rocks, and is hotter than any of the others.

4 This other great one with white floures differeth not from the precedent, hauing many knaps or heads, of a milke white colour, which setteth forth the difference; and it may be called Serpillum maius flore albo. Great white floured wilde Time.

5 This wilde Time creepeth vpon the ground, set with many leaues by couples like those of Marjerom, but lesser, of the same smel: the flours are of a reddish color. The root is very threddy.

6 Wilde Time of Candy is like vnto the other wild Times, sauing that his leaues are nar∣rower and longer and more in number at each joint. The smell is more aromaticall than any of the others, wherein is the difference.

7 There is a kinde of wilde Time growing vpon the mountaines of Italy, called Serpillum

Page 571

[illustration]
5 Serpillum folijs amaraci. Marjerome Time.
[illustration]
6 Serpillum Creticum. Wilde Time of Candy.
[illustration]
‡ 7 Serpillum citratum. Limon Time.
[illustration]
‡ 8 Serpillum hirsutum. Hoary wilde Time.

Page 572

Citratum, that is, hauing the smel of a Pome Citron, or a limon, which giueth it the difference from the other wilde times. ‡ It growes in many gardens also, and (as I haue been told) wilde in diuers places of Wales.

8 This (which is the Serpillum Pannonicum 3. of Clusius) runnes or spreds it selfe far vpon the ground. For though it haue a hard and wooddy root like as the former kindes, yet the branches which lie spred round about here and there take root, which in time become as hard and wooddy as the former. The leaues and stalkes are like those of the last described, but rough and hoarie: the floures also are not vnlike those of the common kind. The whole plant hath a kinde of resinous smell. It floures in Iune with the rest, and growes vpon the like mountainous places; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whether with vs in England or no I cannot yet affirme any thing of certaintie. ‡

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