The Yellow VVater-Flag, OR, Flower-de-luce.
Description.
THis groweth like the Flower-de-luces, but it hath much longer, and narrower sad green Leavs joyned together in that fashi∣on; the Stalk also groweth oftentimes as high, bearing smal yellow Flowers, shaped like the Flower-de-luce with three falling Leavs, and other three arched that cover their Bottoms; but instead of the three upright Leavs as the Flower-de-luce hath, this hath only three short pieces standing in their places, after which succeed thick and long three square Heads containing in each part somwhat big and Flat Seed like to those of the Flower-de-luces: The Root is long and slender, of a pale brownish colour on the outside, and of a Hore flesh colour on the inner side, with many hard fibres thereat, and very harsh in tast.
Place.
It usually groweth in watery Ditches, Ponds, Lakes, and More sides which are al∣waies overflown with water.
Time.
It flowreth in July, and the Seed is ripe in August.
Vertues and use.
The Root of this Water-Flag is very astrin∣gent, cooling, and drying, and therby helpeth all Lasks and Fluxes, whether of Blood or Humors, as bleeding at Mouth, Nose, or o∣ther parts, bloody Fluxes, and the immode∣rate Flux of Womens Courses. The distilled water of the whol Herb, Flowers, and Roots is a Soveraign good Remedy for watering Eyes, both to be dropped into them, and to have Cloathes or Spunges werted therin and applied to the Forehead; It also helpeth the Spots or Blemishes that happen in or about the Eyes, or in any other parts: The said wa∣ter fomented on Swellings and hot Inflamati∣ons of Womens sore Breasts, upon Cankers also, and those spreading Ulcers called Noli me Tangere,* 1.1 doth much good; It helpeth al∣so soul Ulcers in the privy parts of man or woman, or elswhere. An Oyntment made of the Flowers is better for these external appli∣cations.
Take notice that the Moon rules the Plant and then I have done.