IRIDE^. 267 



are roundly ovate, and when open assume the form of a shallow 

 cup. A distinct sort, not so often seen in gardens as it ought 

 to be. Flowers in February and March. Native of Greece. 



C. nudiflorus (^Piirplish Autumn C.) — This is an autumn- 

 flowering species, the flowers opening usually in October. The 

 flowers are pale purple, with a dash of red, but unifomi, not 

 striped. The tube also internally is purplish and destitute of 

 hairs. The stigmas are much divided and fringed, and are 

 orange. Native of the south-western countries of Europe, and 

 is a naturalised native in a few districts of England. It is readily 

 distinguished from Colchiann mttumnale^ erroneously named 

 Autumn Crocus in gardens, by having three instead of six 

 stamens in the flowers, which othenvise somewhat resemble 

 those of the Colchiciivi. Propagates and extends itself by 

 means of nmners underground, as well as by bulbs. 



C. reticulatus, syns. C. susianus and C. variegatus ( Yellow 

 and B?'ow7i C.) — This is a common sort in gardens, easily dis- 

 tinguished from other yellow sorts by the conspicuous browTi 

 colour of the lower part of the petals externally. Native of the 

 Crimea and southern Europe. A spring-flowering species, and 

 one of the earliest. 



C. sativus {Saffron C.) — This is an autumnal species. The 

 flowers are violet, feathered, and veined with deeper shades of 

 the same colour. The throat of the tube is bearded with lilac 

 hairs. The stigmas are deep orange, divided into three large 

 entire segments, toothed at the ends. The leaves become par- 

 tially developed along with the flowers, but do not acquire their 

 full development till spring. It does not give much satisfaction 

 in wet or cold soils and situations, often dying out in such, and 

 at best flowering very shyly. Native country unknown, but 

 having been long cultivated for Saffron, the product of the 

 stigmas, it is naturalised in many countries of Europe and some 

 parts of Asia and Africa. 



C. Sieberi {Siebe7-'s C.) — This is an early winter-flowering 

 species, the flowers beginning to open usually in November. 

 They are small, soft pale violet, and the whole plant is com- 

 paratively diminutive. Only suitable for culture in light warm 

 soils and sunny situations. Native of Greece, and introduced 

 recently, and is yet rather high-priced. 



C. speciosus {Showy Atitiivm C) — A ver}^ handsome autum- 

 nal species, the leaves of which, like those of the Saffron C, do 

 not attain their full development till spring or early summer. 

 The flowers are large, purplish blue, feathered on the inside with 

 lines of deep violet. The stigmas are large and conspicuous, 

 being deep yellow or orange, divided into three fringed segments. 



