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Of Potato's of Virginia

The Description.

VIrginian Potato hath many hollow flexible branches trailing upon the ground, three square, uneven, knotted or kneed in sundry places at certaine distances: from the which knots commeth forth one great leafe made of divers leaves, some smaller, and others greater, set together upon a fat middle rib by couples, of a swart greene colour tending to rednesse; the whole leafe resembling those of the Winter-Cresses, but much larger; in taste at the first like grasse, but afterward sharp and nipping the tongue. From the bosome of which leaves come forth long round slender footstalkes, whereon grow very faire and pleasant floures.

The Place.

It groweth naturally in America, where it was first discovered, as reporteth Clusius, since which time I have received roots hereof from Virginia, otherwise called Norembega, which grow & prosper in my garden as in their owne native country.

The Names.

The Indians call this plant Pappus, meaning the roots; by which name also the common Potatoes are called in those Indian countries. Wee have it's proper name mentioned in the title. Because it hath not only the shape and proportion of Potato's, but also the pleasant taste and vertues of the same, we may call it in English, Potatoes of America or Virginia.

The Temperature and Vertues.

The temperature and vertues be referred to the common Potato's, being likewise a food, as also a meat for pleasure, equall in goodnesse and wholesomnesse to the same, being either rosted in the embers, or boiled and eaten with oile, vineger and pepper, or dressed some other way by the hand of a skilfull Cooke.