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Of Archangell or Dead Nettle

The Description.

WHite Archangell hath foure square stalkes a cubit high, leaning this way and that way, by reason of the great weight of his ponderous leaves, which are in shape like unto those of Nettles, nicked round about the edges, yet not stinging at all, but soft and as it were downy: the floures compasse the stalkes round about at certaine distances. 2 Yellow Archangell hath square stalks rising from a threddy root, set with leaves by couples very much cut or hackt about the edges, and sharp pointed, the uppermost whereof are oftentimes of a faire purple colour: the flours grow among the said leaves, of a gold yellow colour, fashioned like those of the white Archangell, but greater, and wider gaping open. 3 Red Archangell, being called Urtica non mordax, or dead Nettle, hath many leaves spred upon the ground; among which rise up stalkes hollow and square, whereupon grow rough leaves of an overworne colour, among which come forth purple floures set about in round wharles or rundles. The root is small, and perisheth at the first approch of winter.

The Place.

These plants are found under hedges, old walls, common waies, among rubbish, in the borders of fields, and in earable grounds, oftentimes in gardens ill husbanded.

That with the yellow floure groweth not so common as the others. I have found it under the hedge on the left hand as you go from the village of Hampsted neer London to the Church, & in the wood therby, as also in many other copses about Lee in Essex, neer Watford & Bushy in Middlesex, and in the woods belonging to the Lord Cobham in Kent.

The Time.

They floure for the most part all Summer long, but chiefely in the beginning of May.

The Names.

Archangell is called in English, Archangell, blinde Nettle, and dead Nettle. The Vertues.

The floures are baked with sugar as Roses are, which is called Sugar roset: as also the distilled water of them, which is used to make the heart merry, to make a good colour in the face, and to refresh the vitall spirits.