Tas. 5776. 
CROCUS ORPHANIDIS. 
Prof. Orphanides’ Crocus. 
Nat. Ord. In1pea—Trianpria TRIGYNIA. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tas. 5297.) 
Crocus Orphanidis, bulbo lageneformi, tunicis castaneis fibroso-membrana- 
ceis, fibris parallelis, foliis synanthiis latiusculis elongatis flores super- 
antibus, scapo involucrato, spatha membranacea vaginis inclusa, 
perianthii laciniis oblongis subacutis pallide lilacinis, fauce antherisque 
pallide flavis, stigmatibus multifidis intense aurantiacis. 
This most lovely and very distinct Grecian Crocus was 
sent to the Royal Gardens, together with many other valuable 
bulbs, by Professor Orphanides of Athens, under the name of 
C. pholegandrus, but with no authority for that name: as I 
can find no such name published, and am unable to trace its 
etymology, I feel compelled to coin another for it. Crocus 
Orphanidis belongs to the group with C. Boryanus and others, 
distinguished by their multifid stigmas, and flowers appearing 
together with the leaves; it differs, however, from all pre- 
viously described species of that group, in the form of the 
bulb, its tunic, its great size, and the size and colour of the 
flower, anthers, and especially of the stigmas. It is a very 
handsome and free-flowering species, blossoming in a cool 
frame in November. 
Duscr. Bulbs very large, one and a half to two inches 
long, narrow, closely covered with the bright chestnut-brown 
tunic, which is formed of fine parallel slightly interlaced 
fibres. Sheaths of the leaves two to three, membranous, pale 
green, acute, slightly striate. eaves produced with the 
flowers and much exceeding them, lengthening after flowering, 
seven to ten inches long, about one-fifth of an inch broad. 
Spathes membranous, for the most part ufcluded in the 
" JUNE Ist, 1869. 
