Fig. 882. Single Gillyflower, or Pink (6)

            3-6. The very many kinds both of Gillyflowers, Pinks, and the like, differ very little in their roots, leaves, seeds, or manner of growing, though much in the colour, shape, and magnitude of their flowers, whereof some are of one colour, other some of more; and of them some are striped, others spotted, &c. Now I (holding it a thing not so fit for me to insist upon these accidental differences of plants, having specific differences enough to treat of) refer such as are addicted to these commendable and harmless delights to survey the late and oft mentioned work of my friend Mr. John Parkinson, who hath accurately and plentifully treated of these varieties; and if they require further satisfaction, let them at the time of the year repair to the garden of Mistress Tuggy (the wife of my late deceased friend Mr. Ralph Tuggy) in Westminster, which in the excellency and variety of these delights exceedeth all that I have seen: as also he himself whilst he lived exceeded most, if not all of his time, in his care, industry, and skill in raising, increasing, and preserving of these plants and some others; whose loss therefore is the more to be lamented by all those that are lovers of plants. I will only give you the figures of some three or four more, whereof one is of the single one, which therefore some term a Pink, though in mine opinion unfitly, for that it is produced by the seed of most of the double ones, and is of different colour and shape as they are, varying from them only in the singleness of the flowers.

The Place.

            These Gillyflowers, especially the Carnations, are kept in pots from the extremity of our cold winters. The Clove-Gillyflower endureth better the cold, and therefore is planted in gardens.

The Time.

            They flourish and flower most part of the summer.

The Names.

            The Clove-Gillyflower is called of the later herbarists Caryophyllus flos, of the smell of cloves wherewith it is possessed: in Italian, Garofoli: in Spanish, Clavel: in French, Oeilletz: in Low Dutch, Ginoffelbloemen: in Latin of most, Ocellus damascenus, Ocellus barbaricus, and barbarica: in English, Carnations, and Clove-Gillyflowers. Of some it is called Vetonica, and Herba Tunica. The which Bernardus Gordonius hath set down for Dioscorides his Polemonium.

            That worthy herbarist and learned physician of late memory Mr. Doctor Turner maketh Caryophyllis to be Cantabrica; which Pliny, lib. 23, cap. 8, writeth to have been found out in Spain about Augustus' time, and that by those of Biscay.

            Johannes Ruellius saith, That the Gillyflower was unknown to the old writers: whose judgment is very good, especially because this herb is not like to that of Vetonica or Cantabrica. It is a marvel, saith he, that such a famous flower, so pleasant and sweet, should lie hid, and not be made known by the old writers: which may be thought not inferior to the rose in beauty, smell, and variety.

The Temperature.

            The Gillyflower with the leaves and roots for the most part are temperate in heat and dryness.

The Virtues.

            A. The conserve made of the flowers of the Clove-Gillyflower and sugar, is exceeding cordial, and wonderfully above measure doth comfort the heart, being eaten now and then.

            B. It prevaileth against hot pestilential fevers, expelleth the poison and fury of the disease, and greatly comforteth the sick, as hath of late been found out by a learned gentleman of Lee in Essex, called Mr. Rich.