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Of Three Leafed Grasse or Medow Trefoile

The Description. 1 MEdow Trefoile bringeth forth stalkes a cubit long, round and something hairy, the greater part of which creepeth upon the ground: whereon grow leaves consisting of three joined together, one standing a little from another, of which those that are next the ground and roots are rounder, and they that grow on the upper part longer, having for the most part in the midst a white spot like a halfe moone. The floures grow at the tops of the stalks in a tuft or small Fox-taile eare, of a purple colour, and sweet of taste. The seed growes in little husks, round and blackish: the root is long, wooddy, and groweth deep. 2 Likewise we have in our fields a smaller Trefoile that brings forth yellow flours, a greater and a lesser, & divers others also, differing from these in divers notable points, the which to distinguish apart would greatly inlarge our volume, and yet to small purpose: therefore we leave them to be distinguished by the Curious, who may at the first view easily perceive the difference, and also that they be of one stocke or kindred. The Place.

Common medow Trefoile grows in medowes, fertile pastures, and waterish grounds: the others love the like soile.

The Time.

They floure from May to the end of Summer.

The Names.

Medow Trefoile is called in Latine Trifolium pratense: in English, Common Trefoile, Three leafed grasse: of some, Suckles, Hony-suckles, and Cocks-heads: in Irish, Shamrocks.

The Vertues.

Oxen and other cattell do feed on the herb, as also calves and yong lambs. The flours are acceptable to Bees.

Pliny writeth and setteth it downe for certaine, that the leaves hereof do tremble and stand right up against the comming of a storme or tempest.