- crocus
-
—crocused, adj./kroh"keuhs/, n., pl. crocuses.1. any of the small, bulbous plants of the genus Crocus, of the iris family, cultivated for their showy, solitary flowers, which are among the first to bloom in the spring.2. the flower or bulb of the crocus.3. a deep yellow; orangish yellow; saffron.4. Also called crocus martis /mahr"tis/. a polishing powder consisting of iron oxide.[1350-1400; ME < L < Gk krókos saffron, crocus < Sem; cf. Ar kurkum saffron]
* * *
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.* * *
▪ plant genusgenus of about 75 low-growing, cormose species of plants of the iris family (Iridaceae), native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean area 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. The flowers close at night and in dull weather. saffron, used for dye, seasoning, and medicine, is the dried, feathery, orange tip of the pistils of the lilac or white, autumn-flowering C. sativus of western Asia. The alpine species, C. vernus, is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus. Dutch yellow crocus (C. flavus), from stony slopes in southeastern Europe, is another popular spring species, as is C. biflorus, tinged purple and with yellow throat, sometimes striped, from the Mediterranean.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
