626 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Crocus. — Linn. 



Fig. 281. 



Perianth coloured, with a slender tube of twice the length of the limb; limb hexa-par- 

 tite, segments equal, erect. Stamens 3, inserted on the tube ; anthers sagittate. Stigmas 

 3, thick, long, usually crested. Capsule at first subterranean, but by the gradual pro- 

 longation of the peduncle finally emerging. 



A small genus of bulbous-rooted plants, principally found in Southern 

 Europe and Central Asia, one species of which is officinal. 



C. sativus, Linn. — Corm roundish; the in- 

 teguments consisting of parallel fibres, which 

 are distinct at the upper end. Leaves linear, 

 long, flaccid, environed by long membranous 

 bracts at base. Flowers axillary, with a 

 2-valved membranous spathe, appearing with 

 the leaves, large, purple, striated, with a cam- 

 panulate limb. Stigmas 3, deeply divided, 

 linear-cuneiform, of a deep-orange colour, 

 hanging down on one side of the flower, 

 notched at the points, fragrant. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 50 ; Stephenson and 

 Churchill, ii. 101 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 

 576 ; C. autumnalis, Eng. Bot. 343. 



Common Name. — Saffron Crocus. 



This plant is a native of Greece and 

 Asia Minor, and is much cultivated in 

 some parts of Europe. There are nu- 

 merous varieties of it, which have been 

 described by some authors as species. 

 It was early known to the Romans, and 

 we find that the Cilician physicians who 

 attended on Anthony and Cleopatra in 

 Egypt, recommended Saffron as a re- 

 medy to clear the complexion and to 

 deterge the body of bile. Pliny speaks 

 of it as much employed, and says that 

 wild plants produced a better quality than the cultivated. Saffron is also 

 spoken of by Homer as one of the flowers composing the genial bed of Ju- 

 piter and Juno. It is likewise noticed in the Old Testament. {Solomon's 

 Song, iv. 14.) 



It flowers in the autumn, and perfects its seed the succeeding spring. The 

 part used is the stigmas ; to obtain these the flowers are gathered as soon as 

 they unfold themselves, the stigmas are separated, and dried by an artificial 

 heat. Saffron has a peculiar, sweetish, fragrant odour; a warm, pungent, 

 bitter taste, and is of a deep orange-red colour. It contains Volatile oil, 

 Wax, a peculiar colouring matter called Polychroite, Gum, &c. According 

 to Pereira, 4,320 flowers are required to form an ounce of Saffron. It is 

 said to be often adulterated, by admixtures of Safflower, the petals of Calen- 

 dula, &c. The most esteemed is the English, but this kind is scarce, as the 

 plant is now seldom cultivated in England. 



Medical Uses. — Saffron was at one time much employed as an excitant, 

 aromatic narcotic, and emmenagogue, but is now seldom used in Eng- 



C. sativus. 

 1. Petal and Stamen. 2. Style and Stigmas. 



