Fig. 343. The Persian Lily

The Description.

            The Persian Lily hath for his root a great white bulb, difering in shape from the other Lilies, having one great bulb firm or solid, full of juice, which commonly each year setteth off or increaseth one other bulb, and sometimes more, which the next year after is taken from the mother root, and so bringeth forth such flowers as the old plant did. From this root riseth up a fat thick and straight stem of two cubits high, whereupon is placed long narrow leaves of a green colour, declining to blueness as doth those of the Woad. The flowers grow alongst the naked part of the stalk like little bells, of an overworn purple colour, hanging down their heads, every one having his own foot-stalk of two inches long, as also his pistil or clapper from the middle part of the flower; which being past and withered, there is not found any seed at all, as in other plants, but is increased only in his root.

The Place.

            This Persian Lily groweth naturally in Persia and those places adjacent, whereof it took his name, and is now (by the industry of travellers into those countries, lovers of plants) made a denizen in some few of our London gardens.

The Time.

            This plant flowereth from the beginning of May, to the end of June.

The Names.

            This Persian Lily is called in Latin, Lilium Persicum, Lilium Susianum, Pennacio Persiano, and Pannaco Persiano, either by the Turks themselves, or by such as out of those parts brought them into England but which of both is uncertain. Alphonsus Pancius, Physician to the Duke of Ferrara, when as he sent the figure of this plant unto Carolus Clusius, added this title, Pennacio Persiano e pianta bellisima & e specie di Giglio o Martagon, diverso della corona Imperiale: That is in English, This most elegant plant Pennacio of Persia is a kind of Lily or Martagon, differing from the flower called the Crown Imperial.

The Nature and Virtues.

            There is not anything known of the nature or virtues of this Persian Lily, esteemed as yet for his rareness and comely proportion; although (if I might be so bold with a stranger that hath vouchsafed to travel so many hundreds of miles for our acquaintance) we have in our English fields many scores of flowers in beauty far excelling it.