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Lady's Smock, or Cuckow-Flowers

Description. The root is composed of many small white threads, from whence spring up divers long stalks of winged leaves, consisting of round, tender, dark green leaves, set one against another upon a middle rib, the greatest being at the end, amongst which rise up divers tender, weak, round, green stalks, somewhat streaked, with longer and smaller leaves upon them on the tops of which stand flowers, almost like stock gilliflowers but rounder, and not so long, of a blushing white colour; the seed is reddish, and groweth to small bunches, being of a sharp biting taste, and so hath the herb. Place. They grow in moist places, and near to brook sides. Time. They flower in April and May, and the lower leaves continue green all the winter.

Government and virtues. They are under the dominion of the Moon, and very little inferior to water cresses in all their operations; they are excellent good for the scurvy; they provoke urine, and break the stone, and excellently warm a cold and weak stomach, restoring lost appetite, and help digestion.