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Of Dwarfe Kindes of Cistus

The Description. 1 THe English dwarfe Cistus, called of Lobel, Panax Chironium (but there is another Panax of Chirons description which I hold to be the true and right Panax, notwithstanding hee hath inserted it amongst the kindes of Cistus, as being indifferent to joyne with us and others for the insertion) is a low and base plant creeping upon the ground, having many small tough branches of a browne colour; wherupon grow little leaves set together by couples, thicke, fat, and ful of substance, and covered over with a soft downe; from the bosome whereof come forth other lesser leaves: the floures before they be open are small knops or buttons, of a browne colour mixed with yellow, and beeing open and spred abroad are like those of the wilde Tansie, & of a yellow colour, with some yellower chives in the middle: the root is thicke, and of a wooddy substance.

The Place.

Those of our English growing I have found in very many places, especially in Kent upon the chalky banks about Gravesend, Southfleet, and for the most part all the way from thence to Canturbury and Dover.

The Time.

They floure from July to the end of August.

The Names.

Valerius Cordus nameth it Helianthemum, and Solis flos or Sunfloure. Pliny writeth, that Helianthemum growes in the champian country Temiscyra in Pontus, and in the mountains of Cilicia neere the sea: saying further, that the wise men of those countries & the Kings of Persia do anoint their bodies herewith, boiled with Lions fat, a little Saffron, and Wine of Dates, that they may seem faire and beautifull; and therefore have they called it Heliocaliden, or the beauty of the Sun.