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Of Golden Moth-Wort, or Cudweed

The Description.

GOlden Mothwort bringeth forth slender stalkes somewhat hard and wooddy, divided in divers small branches; where-upon doe grow leaves somewhat rough, and of a white colour very much jagged like Southernwood. The floures stand on the tops of the stalkes, joyned together in tufts, of a yellow colour glittering like gold, in forme resembling the scaly floures of Tansie, or the middle button of the floures of Camomill; which being gathered before they be ripe or withered, remaine beautifull long time after, as my selfe did see in the hands of Mr Wade, one of the Clerks of her Majesties counsell, which were sent him among other things from Padua in Italy. For which cause of long lasting, the images and carved gods were wont to weare garlands thereof: where-upon some have called it Gods floure. For which purpose Ptolomy King of AEgypt did most diligently observe them, as Pliny writeth. The Place.

It growes in most untilled places of Italy and Spaine, in medowes where the soile is barren, and about the bankes of rivers; it is a stranger in England. The Vertues.

The branches and leaves laid amongst cloathes keepeth them from mothes, whereupon it hath beene called of some Moth-weed, or Moth-wort.