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Of Starre-Wort

The Description. 1 THe first kind of Aster or Inguinalis hath large broad leaves like Verbascum Salvifolium or the great Conyza; amongst which riseth up a stalke foure or five handfulls high, hard, rough, and hairy, beset with leaves like Rose Campions, of a darke greene colour. At the top of the said stalks come forth floures of a shining and glistering golden colour.

The Place.

The kindes of Starwort grow upon mountaines and hilly places, and somtimes in woods & medowes lying by rivers sides.

The first kinds grow upon Hampsted heath foure miles from London, in Kent upon Southfleet Downes, and in many other such downy places. Dagger I could never yet find nor heare of any of these Star-floures to grow wilde in this kingdom, but have often seen the Italian Starwort growing in gardens. These kindes that our Author mentions to grow on Hampsted heath and in Kent, are no other than Hieracia or Hawkeweeds, which are much differing from these. Dagger The Names.

This herb is called in Latine, Aster Atticus, Bubonium, and Inguinalis: in French, Estrille, and Asper goutte menne: in English, Starwort, and Sharewort. The Temperature.

That with the blew or purple floure is thought to be that which is of Virgil called Flos Amellus: of which he maketh mention, lib. 4. of his Georgicks: in English thus:

In Medes there is a floure Amello nam'd, By him that seeks it easie to be found, For that it seems by many branches fram'd Into a little wood: like gold the ground Thereof appeares; but leaves that it beset Shine in the colour of the Violet.

The Vertues.

The leaves of Aster or Inguinalis stamped, and applied unto botches and bubones, which for the most part happen in Inguine, that is, the flanke or share, do mightily maturate them, whereof this herb Aster tooke the name Inguinalis.

The floures are good to be given unto children against the squinancie and falling sicknesse.