IRIS TRIBE 



'77 



5. Sisyrinchium. Flowers several, in an umbel or head ; tube 

 of the perianth short ; stigmas entire. 



1. Iris (Flower-de-luce) 



1. /. pseud- acorns (Yellow Iris, Flag). Leaves sword-shaped ; 

 perianth not fringed, its inner divisions smaller than the stigmas. 

 A stout aquatic plant, with creeping, acrid roots, sword-shaped 

 leaves 2-3 feet long, and large, handsome yellow flowers. The 

 root yields a black dye, and the roasted seeds, it is said, may be 

 used as a substitute for coffee. Marshes and banks of rivers ; 

 common. Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



2. /. fcetidissima (Stinking Iris). Leaves sword-shaped ; perianth 

 not fringed, inner divisions about as large as the stigmas ; stem 

 slightly flattened. Resembling the last in habit, but smaller. 

 The flowers are of a dull leaden hue, and the leaves so acrid as to 

 leave a burning taste in the mouth, or even to loosen the teeth. 

 The whole plant when bruised emits a disagreeable odour. The 

 berry-like seeds, which are of a beautiful orange-scarlet colour 

 remain attached to the plant all through the winter, and a bunch 

 of the pods, if cut with long stalks and hung inverted until quite 

 dry, and then arranged in some quaint jar or vase (without water), 

 remain a pleasing and decorative object throughout the winter. 

 Woods and hedges in the west and south-west of England ; not 

 uncommon. Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



2. Romulea (Romulea) 



1. R. columncB (Common Romulea). The only British species. 

 A small, bulbous plant, 3-4 inches high, 

 with very narrow leaves, and solitary, 

 purplish flowers, tinged with yellow, par- 

 taking the characters of the Iris and ' 

 Crocus. It grows only on a sandy pasture 

 called the Warren, at Dawlish, Devon. 

 Fl. March, April. Perennial. 



3. Crocus 



1. C. sativus (Saffron Crocus). Leaves 

 appearing after the flowers, linear ; flower- k 

 stalks enveloped with a double sheath ; 

 stigma long and drooping. Said to be 

 naturalized at Saffron- Walden, in Essex, 

 where it is largely cultivated for the sake 

 of the saffron afforded by the dried 

 stigmas, the only part of the p!ant which 

 is used. The flowers are purple. 

 Fl. September. Perennial. 



Crocds Sathtos 

 (Saffron Crocut) 



