554 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
parent of the “Dutch Yellow” garden Crocus and several well-known 
varieties, was cultivated here as long ago as 1629, about which time it was 
introduced from South-Eastern Europe. About the same period C. biflorus 
was introduced from the Crimea, C. minimus from Corsica, C. serotinus 
—whose native country is unknown—from Europe, and C. versicolor 
from Southern Europe. The species that have chiefly produced the fine 
florists’ varieties of Crocus, so extensively used for spring decoration of 
beds and borders, are C. awreus, C. biflorus, C. susianus, C. vernus, and 
C. versicolor. Many of these varieties are hybrids, which, by the 
natural process of corm-multiplication, come true year after year. The 
principal autumn-flowering species are C. Boryi, from the Ionian 
Isles, C. iridiflorus, from Eastern Europe, C. nudiflorus, C. sativus, and 
C. speciosus, the latter from Asia Minor. With few exceptions the 
so-called species of the dealers’ catalogues are mere garden varieties. C. 
sativus produces the Saffron of commerce, which consists of the pressed 
anthers. 
Crocus AUREUS (golden). Leaves very slender, with 
whitish line, from wide basal sheaths. Flowers bright 
orange; February and March. Also known as C. luteus, C. lagenw- 
florus, and C. mesiacus. Plate 256a. 
C. BIFLORUS (two-flowered). Leaves slender, short, with distinct 
white line. Flowers variable, from white to pale lavender; outer 
Principal Species. 
segments feathered with purple outside, yellow within; February and — 
arch. Several good varieties. 
C. Boryt (Bory’s). Leaves narrow, smooth. Flowers creamy 
white, with orange throat; base outside streaked with purple; late 
autumn, leaves appearing a little earlier. 
C. IMpERATI (Imperato’s). Leaves thick, with distinct ‘white line. 
Flowers fragrant, lilac-purple, the outer segments marked with three 
dark purple lines; March. Native of Southern Italy. 
C. IRIDIFLORUS (Iris-flowered). Corm small, somewhat flattened. 
Leaves rather broad, appearing in spring. Outer segments of flower, 
rich purple; inner ones much smaller, pale lilac; stigmas purple; 
September and October. Native of Eastern Europe. 
C. NUDIFLORUS (naked-flowered). Leaves appearing in spring. 
Flowers appearing in autumn; pale purple or violet. Corm sends out 
thick lateral shoots, which ultimately develop into new corms. Also 
known as C. fimbriatus, C. multifidus, and C. pyrenceus. 
C. sativus (cultivated). Saffron Crocus. Corm large, globular, 
depressed. Leaves fringed along margins and keel. Flowers fragrant, 
violet marked with lighter or deeper tints; throat hairy; autumn. 
