Albertus Magnus's description of the daffodil in his Book of Secrets is typical of many of his botanical descriptions in its mix of. firsthand observations with information from sources of varying reliability.

There be seven herbs that have great virtues, after the mind of Alexander the Emperor, and they have these virtues of the influence of the planets."And therefore, every one of the time taketh their virtue from the higher natural-powers.

The first is the herb of the planet Saturn, which is called Daffodillus, Dafflodilly. The juice of it is good against the pain of the reins [kidneys], and legs; let them that suffer pain of the bladder, eat it, the root of it being a little boiled. And if men possessed with evil spirits, or mad men, bear it in a clean napkin, they be delivered from...