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THere be two kyndes of Mylkewurte, differing both in name and figure: whereof one is called Glaux, and the other Polygala.
[ 1] THe first Milkewurte hath many smal stemmes, cōming forth of one roote, the sayde stalkes be weake and tender, & of halfe a foote high, vpon which groweth small long leaues, like the smallest leaues of Lentilles, and are whiter vnderneth the leafe than aboue. The floures amongst the leaues, are like to Gillofloures, but smaller, of colour purple and incarnate. The roote is smal, full of hearie threedes, and creeping alongst the grounde.
[ 2] The second kinde of Milkewurte called in Latine Poligala, is a small herbe, with slender pliant stemmes of wooddy substance, as long as a mans hande creeping by the ground, the leaues be small and narrow, like the leaues of Len∣till or small Hysope. The floures grow somwhat thicke about the stemmes, not much differing from the floures of Fumitory, in figure, and quātitie, sometimes tawney, sometimes blewe, and sometimes white as snow, without smell or sa∣uour, after whiche floures, there commeth small coddes, or pursses, like to them of Bursa Pastoris, but smaller, and couered by euery side with small leaues, like littell winges. The roote is slender and of wooddy substance.
[ 1] The first Milkewurte groweth in lowe salte marshes, and watery places nigh the Sea thoroughout all Zealand.
[ 2] The second groweth in dry Heathes, and commons, by the high way sides.
[ 1] Glaux floureth in Iune and Iuly.
[ 2] Polygala floureth in May about the Roga∣tion, or Gang weeke, the which the Almaignes call Cruysedaghen, & therefore they call them Cruysbloemkens, as Tragus that countrey∣man wryteth.
[ 1] The first is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: in Latine Glaux, and Glax, that is to say, in English Milkewurte: in Frēch Herbe au laict: in Douch Milchkraut, and Melckcruyt. Tur∣ner calleth it Sea Tryfoly.
[ 2] The second is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Poligala, that is to say, the herbe hauing plenty of milke, by which name it is not knowē, for the Almaynes call it Cruysbloeme.
Both these herbes are hoate and moyst, as Galen sayth.
[ A] The firste taken with meate, drinke, or po∣tage, ingendreth plenty of milke: therefore it is good to be vsed of Nurses that lacke milke.
[ B] The same vertue hath Polygala, taken with his leaues and floures.