The Description.
1 The greatest double Marigold hath many large, fat, broad leaves, springing immediately from a fibrous or threddy root; the upper sides of the leaves are of a deepe greene, and the lower side of a more light and shining greene: among which rise up stalkes somewhat hairie, and also somewhat joynted, and full of a spungeous pith. The floures in the top are beautifull, round, very large and double, something sweet, with a certaine strong smell, of a light saffron colour, or like pure gold: from the which follow a number of long crooked seeds, especially the outmost, or those that stand about the edges of the floure; which being sowne commonly bring forth single floures, whereas contrariwise those seeds in the middle are lesser, and for the most part bring forth such floures as that was from whence it was taken.
2 This fruitfull or much bearing Marigold is likewise called of the vulgar sort of women, Jacke-an-apes on horse backe: it hath leaves, stalkes, and roots like the common sort of Marigold, differing in the shape of his flours, for this plant doth bring forth at the top of the stalke one floure like the other Marigolds; from the which start forth sundry other small floures, yellow likewise, and of the same fashion as the first, which if I be not deceived commeth to passe per accidens, or by chance, as Nature oftentimes liketh to play with other floures, or as children are borne with two thumbes on one hand, and such like, which living to be men, do get children like unto others; even so is the seed of this Marigold, which if it be sowen, it brings forth not one floure in a thousand like the plant from whence it was taken.
The Time.
The Marigold floureth from Aprill or May even untill Winter, and in Winter also, if it bee warme.
The Names.
The Marigold is called Calendula: it is to be seene in floure in the Calends almost of every moneth: it is also called Chrysanthemum, of his golden colour.
Columella in his tenth booke of Gardens hath these words;
Stock-Gillofloures exceeding white,
And Marigolds most yellow bright.
The Vertues.
The floures and leaves of Marigolds being distilled, and the water dropped into red and watery eies, ceaseth the inflammation, and taketh away the paine.
Conserve made of the floures and sugar taken in the morning fasting, cureth the trembling of the heart.
The yellow leaves of the floures are dried and kept throughout Dutchland against Winter, to put into broths, in Physicall potions, and for divers other purposes, in such quantity, that in some Grocers or Spice-sellers houses are to be found barrels filled with them, and retailed by the penny more or lesse, insomuch that no broths are well made without dried Marigolds.