IRIS FAMILY .;75 



few, large, with a niembrarmus S|ialhe : perianlh-tube short ; sepals 

 3, large, petaloid, stalked, reflexed ; petals 3, .irect, stalked .; style 

 stout, dividing into 3 broad, spreading, petal-like lobes covering 

 the stamens, bifid, with a transverse stigmatic line. (Name from 

 the Greek ins, the rainbow, irom the beautiful colouring of the 

 flowers.) 



CROCUS OFFICINALIS (Sj//'fVn C?Wns). 



I. /. fatidissiina (Stinking Iris, Gladden, Rbast-beef Plant). — 

 Stem compressed, with i sharp edge, about y feet high ; leaves 

 weak ; flowers a dull leaden hue or livid purple, rarely yellow, 

 with .no fringe down the sepals. — Thickets, chiefly on calcareous 

 soil ; not uncommon. The leaves are so acrid as to leave a 

 burning taste in the mouth, or even to looseij the teeth. The 

 whole plant, when bruised, emits a disagreeable odour. The 



