Flora, seu, De florum cultura, or, A complete florilege, furnished with all requisites belonging to a florist by John Rea, Gent.

Auricula flore purpureo.

THe purple Auricula is of divers sorts, some deeper and some lighter, we will begin with that best known, commonly called the fair Downham, from whose seeds many good flowers have been raised; this hath many green leaves, somewhat long and mealy, nar∣row from the bottom to the middle, and broader by degrees almost to the ends, which are something round and striped about the edges; out of the middle of the leaves, and from the sides of them, the stalks spring up five or six inches high, bearing at the top many flow∣ers of a fine bright murrey or reddish purple colour, each flower con∣sisting of five small leaves, parted at the ends, with a white circle or eye in the middle, standing in small cups, wherein (after the flowers are fallen) appear small round heads with a prick in the middle, con∣taining small brown seeds; the root hath many long white strings, like unto those of the Primrose or Cowslip. This description may serve for all the rest, with such additions as may distinguish the difference, or need exceptions. This was one of the first good flowers of this kind that we had, and takes the name from the first owner, my very good friend Mr. John Downham, a reverent Divine, and an industri∣ous Florist, from whom many years since I had this and divers other fine flowers.

Mr. Good's purple Auricula is a strong Plant, with large leaves, a big tall stalk, bearing a great Truss of many fair, fine, rich purple flowers, with snow-white eyes, that will not wash yellow with rain, as some do, but abide white to the last; this noble kind was raised by Mr. Austen in Oxford, and given to Mr. John Good of Balioll Col∣lege, whose now it is there called.

Mistris Buggs her fine purple was raised by her in Battersey neer London, it is like the former in all the parts, but that the great head of flowers stands more erect, of a deeper purple and broader white eyes.

Mr. Whitmores purple is also a very good flower, fair and large, ma∣ny on one stalk, of a lighter purple than any of the former, with fair white eyes; this was raised by my worthy friend William Whitmore of Balmes near Hodgsden Esquire, who was pleased the last Spring to give me a Plant thereof.

Purple Fransway is another good flower, it beareth a great truss of rich shining purple flowers, with very large white eyes.

The black Imperial may be reckoned with the purples, it hath small leaves and a short stalk, but beareth many fair flowers close set toge∣ther, of so dark a purple colour, that without much error it may be called black, with fair snow-white eyes; this was raised in Oxford.

Rickets sable Auricula is like the last, onely a little bigger in all the parts, but of as black a colour, with fair white eyes; this was lately raised by Mr. Rickets of Hogsden often remembred, the best and most faithful Florist now abouts London.

The purple striped Auricula is small in all the parts, hath a weak low stalk, bearing four or five purple flowers, striped with white.

The purpled and Lemon-coloured striped Auricula is a much bigger and stronger Plant than the last, the stalk is stiff, but not tall, bearing often eight or ten flowers, which are Lemon-colour, striped with red∣dish purple; this was also raised by Mistris Buggs before mentioned, and is a flower of good esteem.

There are divers other good purples which have been raised from seeds by my self and others, and every year produceth new varie∣ties, not to be confined within any limits.