Iridacea Crociis. 479 



we may divide them into vernal and autumnal species. The 

 former alone are very generally cultivated, as they appear at a 



season when other flowers are scarce. 







1. Flowers vernal. Stigmas not multifid. 



1. G. vernus (fig. 232). This is the species principally 

 cultivated and the parent of numerous varieties both of garden 

 and wild origin. Leaves dark green with a central longitudinal 

 white stripe. The purple, violet, white and striped varieties 

 of these colours belong to this species. The hairy throat of 

 the perianth is the most reliable character. Widely distributed 

 in Europe. 



2. G. reticulatus, including G. Susianus. Bulb-coats in 

 this and the next species with very strong prominent fibres. 

 Perianth naked at the throat ; flowers yellow, distinguished 

 from other yellow-flowered species by the brown colour of the 

 exterior of the perianth-tube. South of Europe. 



3. C. variegatus. Very like the last, but the flowers are 

 purple. Asia Minor. 



4. C. luteus. Bulb-coats with finer fibres ; flowers yellow. 

 To this are allied G. aureus, G. lagencefiorus, G. stellaris, and 

 several other forms. South Europe and Asia Minor. 



5. G. bifiorus. Flowers white or striped externally with 

 purple, yellow within. G. versicolor is referred to this. 

 Crimea. 



6. G. Imperati. Similar to the last. Flowers lilac striped 

 with purple. One of the earliest blooming species. Italy. 



2. Flowers autumnal. Stigmas not multifid. 



7. G. satlvus. Saffron Crocus. This is the most familiar of 

 the autumn-flowering Crocuses. Leaves not fully developed at 

 the time of flowering. Flowers violet, variously striped, and 

 marked with deeper or lighter tints. Perianth-tube hairy. 

 Frequently seen in different countries in a naturalized state, 

 but its native country is not known with certainty. 



3. Flotvers autumnal. Stigmas multifid. Leaves not 

 appearing at the same time as the flowers. 



8. G. speclosus. A beautiful large-flowered species. Flowers 

 purple or blue, feathered with different tints. Stigmas yellow, 

 conspicuously fringed. This includes G. pulchellus. South- 

 western Europe. 



