Gerard's Herbal - Part 2
Fig. 550. Ęthiopian Apple
The Description.
The Apple of Ęthiopia hath large leaves of a whitish green colour, deeply indented about the edges, almost to the middle rib; the which middle rib is armed with a few sharp prickles. The flowers be white, consisting of six small leaves, with a certain yellow pointel in the midst. The fruit is round, and bunched with uneven lobes or banks lesser than the golden Apple, of colour red, and of a firm and solid substance; wherein are contained small flat seeds. The root is small and thready.
The Place.
The seeds of this plant have been brought unto us out of Spain, and also sent into France and Flanders: but to what perfection it hath come unto in those parts I am ignorant, but mine perished at the first approch of winter. His first original was from Ęthiopia, whereof it took his name.
The Time.
This plant must be sown as Musk-Melons, and at the same time. They flower in July, and the fruit is ripe in September.
The Names.
In English we have thought good to call it the Ęthiopian Apple, for the reason before alleged: in Latin, Mala ęthiopica: of some it hath been thought to be Malinathalla. This is the Solanum pomiferum of Lobel and others.
The Nature.
The temperature agreeth with the Apple of Love.
The Virtues.
These Apples are not used in physic that I can read of, only they are used for a sauce and service unto rich men's tables to be eaten, being first boiled in the broth of fat flesh with pepper and salt, and have a less hurtful juice than either Mad Apples or Golden Apples.
