PURPLE CROCUS 83 



surface of the nectary. The flowers being violet (or white) indicate 

 adaptation to pollination by night-flying insects. 



The Purple Crocus is visited by the Silver Y Moth (Plusia gamma), 

 Painted Lady (Pvrauieis cardui}, which cross-pollinate it. If un visited, 

 the grooved stigmas passing between the anthers are dusted with 

 pollen and the plant is self-pollinaced. 



The seeds, which are small, are contained in a capsule which opens 

 above and allows the seeds to be jerked out by the wind. 



Pl'RPLK CROCUS (Crocus officinal is, Huds.) 



The Crocus is a sand plant requiring a sand soil or sandy loam 

 with some clay and humus. 



Purple Crocus is infested with Bulb Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia 

 bitlbosuiu). 



Crocus, Theophrastus, is the latinized form of the Greek name 

 of the plant and its product saffron; and. the second Latin name refers 

 to its use in medicine. 



It was supposed to inspire love. There is a proverb as to un- 

 expected results: "You set saffron and there came up wolfsbane ". 



Purple Crocus was used for garlands in Greece. 



This flower is said " to blow before the shrine at vernal dawn of 

 St. Valentine ". 



