CROCUS, SAFFRON; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the triandria class of plants. Modern botanists allow only one species of this genus, which, however, comprehends many beautiful varieties. This hath a small roundish, brown, bulbous root, compressed at the bottom. Directly from the root issue many long narrow leaves, of a deep green colour; and amidst them the flowers all protruded from a thin univalvular, radical spathe; the tube of the flower is long, standing on the root, and serving as a foot-stalk to the limb, or upper part, which is erect, six-parted, widens gradually upward, and grows from about three to five or six inches high. The varieties of this species may be divided into two classes, the autumnal and spring flowering.
The varieties of the first are the crocus officinalis, or saffron of the shops; for the properties of which, and its cultivation for sale, see the article SAFFRON. This hath a long-tubed bluish purple flower, with three stigmata of a fine golden colour. Other varieties are the autumnal small blue crocus; deep blue, sky-blue, whitish blue, many-flowered whitish blue, purple, large rush-leaved purple, autumnal white crocus, and autumnal yellow crocus. The varieties of the vernal crocus are, the small and large, and golden yellow crocuses, and the yellow black-striped, the yellow purple-striped and double cloth of gold ones; the white, white purple-striped, white purple bottom, white black-striped, whitish cream-coloured, whitish ashy-coloured, little narrow-leaved white, and white blue-striped crocuses. Besides these there are a great many others of a blue and purple colour finely variegated.
The autumnal crocuses flower about the beginning of October, but never ripen their seeds in this country. They are very beautiful if sown in patches in
the front of borders or in beds by themselves, and very proper ornaments for gardens of every extent, as coming up at a time when most other flowers are on the decay. They grow freely in any kind of soil, and may be propagated by offsets. The vernal kinds flower in February, March, and April. They also are very ornamental, and are so hardy that they will grow almost any where. They are propagated by seeds, which the plants produce in plenty.