Of Fleabane Mullet.

1 Conyza maior. Great Fleawoort. 2 Conyza minor. Fleabane Mullet. <column-break/> 3 Conyza minima. Dwarfe Fleabane.

The description.

The first and true kind of Conyza hath large and broade leaues, like Verbascum nigrum, or black Mullet, but somewhat narrower, of a dark green colour: among which riseth vp a stalk three cubits high, diuiding it selfe into many other braunches, which are beset with the like leaues, but lesser: among which and to the top, there come forth vp small yellowish flowers of a sweete sauour, which doe turne themselues into downe, that is carried away with the winde. The roote is thicke & tough, hauing many strings thereto adioining. 2 The second kinde of Conyza hath leaues, stalkes, flowers, and roots like the former, but lesser by many degrees, and of a more fragrant smell. 3 There is a third kind of Conyza that hath a round white woollie stalke, more then a cubite high; narrow and long leaues, somewhat cottonie or woolly: at the top of the stalke grow smal flowers like Camomill, but greater, and not onely of a yellow colour in the midst of the flower, but in the border round about also. There is a fourth and finall Conyza, which differeth not from the reft, fauing that it is a great deale leffe, and groweth feldome a foote high. The flowers be of a darke yellowe colour, almoft like Tanfie flowers, or the midft of the flowers of Cammomill: the whole plant is of a ftrong fauour. There be three kindes more, whereof I finde not any thing written: for which caufe I leaue it to a further confideration: the one is called Conyza Hellenitis, Mellita Incana: another Conyza Hellenitis folijs laciniatis: and the other Conyza Hellenitis pilofa.

The place.

The great and leffer Conyza do growe among the chalkie ground, by Detford, three miles from London, neere vnto the place where Lime is made; at Greenhiue in Kent; at Grayes in Effex, and many other places. The other which is the middle, groweth in euerie waterie ditch, and running ftreame. The fmall kinde of Conyza groweth at Iflington by London, in the ftreete as ye go from the ende of the towne next London vnto the church, and in many other barren and wafte places neere London.

The time.

They flower in Iuly and Auguft.

The names.

Conyza from time to time hath been called in Englifh Fleabane, but without reafon, confidering there is another herbe fo called: but if it were poffible to roote out auncient errors, I would gladly haue Conyza to be called in Englifh Fleabane Mullet, to make a difference betweene two herbes that beare one name. In Greeke it is called κονύζα: in Latine Conyza: of Plinie Cunilago: of Gaza Policaria, and Pulicaria; yet it differeth from Psyllium, which is alfo called Pulicaria, Fleawoort. The great Coniza is called Diofcorides his Baccharis, or our Ladies gloues.

The temperature.

Conyza is hot and drie in the third degree.

The vertues.

The leaues and flowers be good againft the ftrangurie, the iaundife, and the gnawing or griping of the bellie. The fame taken with vineger, helpeth the Epilepfie or falling fickneffe. If women do fit ouer the decoction thereof, it greatly eafeth their paines of the mother. The herbe burned, where flies, gnats, fleas, or any venemous things are, doth driue them away.