IRIS FAMILY 475 



few, large, with a membranous spathe : perianth-tube short ; sepals 

 3, large, petaloid, stalked, reflexed ; petals 3, erect, stalked ; style 

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

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

 the Greek iris, the rainbow, from the beautiful colouring of the 

 flowers.) 



Cr6cus officinalis {Saffron Crocus). 



i. 1. fcetidissima (Stinking Iris, Gladden, Roast-beef Plant). — 

 Stem compressed, with 1 sharp edge, about 2 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 loosen the teeth. The 

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



