26+ THE GENUS CROCUS. 



a corrugated surface. . . 



«Wfl shorter than the stamens; the S&* dividing a little above the throat, and produced ,nto six equal 



capillary divisions of the yellow stigmata, each stigma being bind. 

 Scape at the flowering-time about two inches (0.050 metre) in height. 

 Capsule and Seed unknown. 



Crocus Olivieri is a native of Greece, the Cyclades, Roumelia, and Rumania, 

 occurring between latitude 37*° and 45° north, and longitude 22^° and 27^ east, 

 and ranging in altitude from one thousand up to five thousand feet. 



There is a question as to the synonomy of this species, which also leaves the 

 individual records of habitats open to doubt. Baker does not hesitate to identify 

 Boissier's C. Aucheri, with Gay's C. Olivieri; and tells me that C. Aucheri was founded 

 on Aucher-Eloy's specimen No. 5349 from Guenive, in Asia Minor, and identical 

 with Gay's type specimen of C. Olivieri from Scio; and he also identifies it with 

 specimens from Argolis, collected by Spruner. I understand Monsieur Boissier con- 

 sidered that the broad-leaved C. Olivieri, of Gay, is limited to Europe; and that the 

 narrow-leaved allied species from Asia Minor, described by Herbert as C. sutenanus, 



is his C. Aucheri. 



I think it is clear that there are but two species referred to under the three 

 names of Olivieri, Aucheri, and Sutenanus, and I prefer for the present to leave 

 the question of synonomy sub judiee. Nevertheless I have no hesitation in viewing 

 the plant I have in cultivation from several localities in Asia Minor, as distinct from 

 the broad-leaved Greek species grown in English gardens, under the names of C. 



Olivieri and C. Aucheri. 



C Olivieri has been recorded from between Tegea and Karya (Krya), and from 

 Argolis in the Morea, the Island of Chio (Scio, Khios); from Mount Parties 

 (Parnethos, Ozea) north of Athens, up to an altitude of four thousand feet; Mount 

 Parnassus (Liakouri, Liakoura) ; Rhodosto in Roumelia; the environs of Bukharest, 

 and the woods of Rumania; also from Belu, near Adalia, in Lycia; but the latter 

 is open to doubt. Herbert places this species as a variety of his C. lagenaflorus, 

 (C. aureus, Sibth. and Smith;) but the character of its pistil, as well as its lesser 

 stature, readily distinguishes it. 



Its flowers are produced with the leaves in the early spring. It has been 

 sparingly in cultivation for many years: and is a species well suited for the decoration 

 of the spring garden. 



