† Also lady-laces. The striped garden variety of Phalaris arundinacea.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. iv. 5. The grasse called in Latine Gramen sulcatum, or Pictum: and by our English women, Ladies Laces, bicause it is stript or furrowed with white and greene strakes, like silke laces.
1611. Cotgr., Aiguillettes d’armes, the hearbe, or grasse, called Ladies laces, white Cameleon grasse, painted, or furrowed grasse.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Lady-laces, a sort of striped Grass.
1713. J. Petiver, in Phil. Trans., XXVIII. 179. Painted Grass, or Ladies Laces.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 97. I … Tried through the pales to get the tempting flowers, As lady’s laces, everlasting peas.
