84 FLOWERS OF THE FIELDS AND MEADOWS 



It was sacred to Juno. It is, or was, considered unlucky to pluck it 

 in Germany, and said to draw away the strength. 



It was used for consumption and lung diseases. The Purple 

 Crocus ripens its seeds more readily than the yellow, and after the 

 mature ovary has lain buried in the soil it rises above the ground when 

 ripe. 



It is much cultivated and planted in gardens, where it is a useful 

 border plant. Saffron is used by painters and dyers for pigments. It 

 is also used in sauces, creams, biscuits, preserves, liqueurs, &c. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



297. Crocus officinalis, Huds. Leaves radical, linear, channelled, 

 flowers purple, appearing with the leaves, stigmas dilated. 



