The Kindes.
There are at this day under the name of Cariophyllus comprehended divers and sundry sorts of plants, of such various colours, and also severall shapes, that a great and large volume would not suffice to write of every one at large in particular; considering how infinite they are, and how every yeare every clymate and country bringeth forth new sorts, such as have not heretofore been written of; some whereof are called Carnations, others Clove Gillofloures, some Sops in wine, some Pagiants, or Pagion color, Horse - flesh, blunket, purple, white, double and single Gillofloures, as also a Gillofloure with yellow flours: the which a worshipful Merchant of London Mr. Nicholas Lete procured from Poland, and gave me thereof for my garden, which before that time was never seen nor heard of in these countries. Likewise there be sundry sorts of Pinks comprehended under the same title, which shall be described in a severall chapter. There be under the name of Gillofloures also those floures which we call Sweet-Johns and Sweet-Williams. And first of the great Carnation and Clove Gillofloure.
The Description.
1 THe great Carnation Gillo-floure hath a thick round wooddy root, from which riseth up many strong joynted stalks set with long green leaves by couples: on the top of the stalks do grow very fair floures of an excellent sweet smell, and pleasant Carnation colour, whereof it tooke his name.
2 The Clove Gillofloure differeth not from the Carnation but in greatnesse as well of the flowres as leaves. The floure is exceeding well knowne, as also the Pinkes and other Gillofloures; wherefore I will not stand long upon the description.
The Place.
These Gillofloures, especially the Carnations, are kept in pots from the extremitie of our cold Winters. The Clove Gillofloure endureth better the cold, and therefore is planted in gardens.
The Time.
They flourish and floure most part of the Summer.
The Names.
The Clove Gillofloure is called of the later Herbarists Caryophylleus Flos, of the smell of cloves wherewith it is possessed.
Johannes Ruellius saith, That the Gillofloure was unknowne to the old writers: whose judgement is very good, especially because this herb is not like to that of Vetonica, or Cantabrica. It is marvell, saith he, that such a famous floure, so pleasant & sweet, should lie hid, and not be made known by the old writers: which may be thought not inferior to the rose in beautie, smell, and varietie.
The Vertues.
The conserve made of the floures of the Clove Gillofloure and sugar, is exceeding cordiall, and wonderfully above measure doth comfort the heart, being eaten now and then.