IRIS TRIBE 



277 



5- SisYRiNCHiUM. — Flowers several, in an umbel or head ; tube 

 of the perianth short ; stigmas entire. 



1. Iris {Floit'er-de-luce) 



1. /. fseud-acorus (Yellow Iris, Flag). — Leaves sword-shaped ; 

 perianth not fringed, its inner divisions smaller than the stigmas. 

 A stout aquatic plant, with creeping, acrid roots, sword-shaped 

 leaves 2-3 feet long, and large, handsome yellow flowers. The 

 root yields a black dye, and the roasted seeds, it is said, may be 

 used as a substitute for coffee. ]\Iarshes and banks of rivers ; 

 common. — Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



2. /. fcetidissima (Stinking Iris). — Leaves sword-shaped ; perianth 

 not fringed, inner divisions about as large as the stigmas ; stem 

 slightly flattened. Resembling the last in habit, but smaller. 

 The flowers are of a dull leaden hue, and the leaves so acrid as to 

 leave a burning taste in the mouth, or even to I )()sen the teeth. 

 The whole plant when bruised emits a disagreeable odour. The 

 berry-like seeds, which are of a beautiful orange-scarlet colour, 

 remain attached to the plant all through the winter, and a bunch 

 of the pods, if cut with long stalks and hung inverted until quite 

 dry, and then arranged in some quaint jar or vase (without water), 

 remain a pleasing and decorative object throughout the winter. 

 Woods and hedges in the west and south-west of England ; not 

 uncommon. — Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



2. RoMULEA (Ronmlea) 



I. R. columncB (Common Romulea). — The only British species. 

 A small, bulbous plant, 3-4 inches high, 

 with very narrow leaves, and solitary, 

 purplish flowers, tinged with yellow, par- 

 taking the characters of the Lris and 

 Crocus. It grows only on a sandy pasture 

 called the Warren, at Dawlish, Devon. — 

 Fl. March, April. Perennial. 



3. Crocus 



I. C. salivas (Saffron Crocus). Leaves 

 appearing after the flowers, linear ; flower- 

 stalks enveloped with a double sheath ; 

 sttgma long and drooping. Said to be 

 naturalized at Saffron- Walden, in Essex, 

 where it is largely cultivated for the sake 

 of the saffron afforded by the dried 

 stigmas, the only part of the plant which 

 is used. The flowers are purple. — 



Fl. September. Perennial. Crocus Sat ivuo 



(Safjron Crooiis) 



