238 
No serious complaint is entered with regard to the foliage of 
the autumn crocuses which, like that of their spring blooming 
sisters, is grass-like and comparatively inconspicuous. ‘These au- 
tumn blooming crocuses have, until recent years, been much 
neglected in this country, but now-a-days their value is becoming 
better appreciated and in consequence they are less of a rarity in 
gardens. Their colors, in general, range from white to purple. 
The showiest and most desirable species is Crocus speciosus with 
Fic. 28. Crocus zonatus—ground cover Cerastium Thomasit. (25098) 
flowers of bright blue. There are several varieties of this species, 
of which we grow the following: Aifchisonii, albus, “ Artabir,” 
globosus, and “ Pollux.” The pale lilac flowers of the Cilician 
C. zonatus (Fig. 28), also display their fragile-looking perianths 
along with those of the bright lilac C. sativus. Forms of the last 
named species are grown commercially for the production of Saf- 
fron used in coloring cakes, etc. The use of the stigmas and the 
upper part of the styles as a source of Saffron has been known 
since the time of Homer. 
