The Crocus is a genus of plants of the family Iridaceae or Iris, forming one of the most common ornaments of the garden. They are natives to the northern parts of the Old World, especially southern Europe and the Middle East, and three grow wild in Britain. They may be divided, according to their period of flowering, into vernal and autumnal. Among the vernal crocuses may be mentioned the white and purple Crocus vernus; Crocus versicolor, distinguished by the yellow tube of its flower bearded with hairs, and its sweet scent; Crocus biflorus, the Scotch crocus, with beautiful pencilled sepals, and clear or bluish-white petals. Among the autumnal species are Crocus nudiflorus and Crocus sativus, whose long, reddish-orange, drooping stigmas, when dried, form saffron. Research Crocus More pictures of Crocus
Flag is a popular name for many endogenous plants with sword-shaped leaves, mostly growing in moist situations; but sometimes particularly appropriated to Iris Pseudacorus, of the natural order Iridaceae; also termed Flower de lis or Flower de luce. It has sword-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, grows in marshy places and by the sides of streams and lakes. The stout creeping root-stock has been recommended for alleviating the toothache, and was used for dyeing black in the Hebrides. The leaves make excellent thatch, and were also employed for making bottoms to chairs. Research Flag
The garden iris (Iris germanica) or common iris or flag as it is also known is a perennialherb of the family Iridaceae with a thickened rhizome bearing sword-shaped greyish coloured leaves, which sheaf at the base, and a tall, branched stem topped by large blue-violet, sometimes white, coloured fragrant flowers. Research Garden Iris
Gladiolus are a genus of plants of the Iris family, having a bulbous root with a reticulated covering. They are natives of Europe and north Africa, but especially South Africa. The leaves are ensiform and the flowers brilliantly coloured. Research Gladiolus
The Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) is a species of butterfly of the brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) family, noted for its iridescent, metallic, violet-blue sheen which occurs on the wings of the male. It is found in damp, deciduous forests in the vicinity of streams, rivers and ponds where it settles on tree foliage overhanging the water. Research Purple Emperor
James Montgomery was a Scottish poet and hymnwriter. He was born in 1771 at Irvine and died in 1854. He joined the 'Sheffield Register' in 1792, becoming editor and in 1795 the proprietor when the paper was renamed the ' SheffieldIris'. He was fined and imprisoned for publishing seditious comments in the paper. Research James Montgomery
In Greek and Roman mythologies, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. She was the daughter of Thaumas and the TitanElectra. She was a sister of the Harpies. She was a beautiful, winged messenger who was taken into heaven by Hera to be her handmaiden. She conveyed divine commands from Zeus and Hera to mankind, assisting those who were having trouble dying by severing the last threads of life. She was also tasked with keeping the clouds filled with rain. Research Iris
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Abbreviations
Research Crocus
