Crocus (redirected from crocuses)

crocus: see iris.

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crocus

Any of about 75 species of low-growing plants, with corms, that make up the genus Crocus (iris family), native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean and widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall. The spring-flowering sorts have a floral tube so long that the ovary is belowground, sheltered from climatic changes. Saffron comes from C. sativus of western Asia. The alpine C. vernus is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus. Dutch yellow crocus (C. flavus) and C. biflorus are popular spring-flowering species.

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crocus

1. any plant of the iridaceous genus Crocus, widely cultivated in gardens, having white, yellow, or purple flowers

2. another name for jeweller's rouge

3. of a saffron yellow colour

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crocus [′krō·kəs]

(botany)

A plant of the genusCrocus, comprising perennial herbs cultivated for their flowers.

(materials)

Finely powdered oxide of iron, of dark red color, used for buffing and polishing.

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crocus

symbol of cheerfulness. [Flower Symbolism: Jobes, 383]

See : Cheerfulness

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Crocus

distressed by unrequited love, changed by Hermes into a saffron plant. [Gk. Myth.: Avery, 338]

See : Transformation

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Crocus

a genus of perennial cormous stemless plants of the family Iridaceae. The flowers are solitary or, less commonly, in groups of two or three. Glumaceous scales that seem to arise directly from the bulb surround the variously colored flowers. The numerous radical and linear leaves usually develop during or after the flowering period.

There are about 80 species in Europe and Asia. The USSR has 19 species, found mainly in Transcaucasia, in the Crimea, and in the mountainous meadows of the Tien-Shan and the Dzhungar Alatau. Crocuses are cultivated in many countries, including the USSR. They are used as a coloring and flavoring agent by the food and candy industries. Many species have especially beautiful flowers.

The most common species raised as ornamentals are C. tomasinianus, whose light violet flowers bloom in the beginning or middle of April; the common crocus (C. vernus), whose lilac, white, or purple-striped flowers bloom in April; C. chrysanthus, whose yellow flowers bloom in February and March; and C. speciosus, whose lilac flowers bloom in September. Crocuses are propagated by bulbs, corms, or seeds. The soil must be light in texture and fertilized with humus. The corms are planted at a depth of 5–6 cm. Autumn-blooming species are planted in the spring, and spring-blooming species are planted in the fall and covered with leaves and spruce branches. The corms of plants that have blossomed are dug out, dried, and cleaned of earth, roots, and old scales; they are stored at a temperature of 17°C until planting. Plants grown from seed bloom in the second or third season. Garden and wild crocuses are planted in groups on lawns or in rock gardens. Garden forms are often forced during the winter.

Stigmata from the saffron crocus (C. sativus) were formerly used medicinally in a compound tincture of aloe and in infusions of opium and saffron.