OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 45 



Bulbocodium Trigynum. 



Syns. COLCHICTJM CAUCASICUM and MERENDERA 

 CAUCASICUM; Nat. Ord. MELANTHACEJE. 



THIS pretty miniature bulbous plant is very hardy, flowering in 

 winter. It is a scarce flower, and has recently been represented 

 as a new plant. As a matter of fact, it is not new, but has been 

 known under the above synonymous names since 1823, when it 

 was brought from the Caucasus. In general appearance it is 

 very different from the Colchicum (Sprengle), as may be seen by 

 the drawing (Fig. 21), and Merendera (Bieberstein) is only 

 another Spanish name for Colchicum. The new name, autho- 

 rised by Adams, may have been the cause, all or in part, of its 



FIG. 21. BULBOCODIUM TEIGTNUM. 

 (Full size.) 



being taken for a new species. The specific name may be pre- 

 sumed to be in reference to either its deeply- channelled, almost 

 keeled leaves, which have the appearance of three corners, or in 

 allusion to the triangular way in which they are disposed. It is 

 a desirable flower for several reasons its earliness, durability, 

 rich perfume, and intrinsic beauty. 



The little plant, at the height of 2in., produces its rather 

 large flowers in ones and twos in February, and they last for 

 many days in perfect form. The scent reminds one of the sweet 

 honey smell of a white clover field during summer. The colour 

 is very pale lilac, nearly white ; the tube takes - on a little 

 greenness; it is also divided, though the slits 'are invisible 



