Colchicum micranthum, Boiss.

12. C. micranthum Boiss. , FI. Or. 5: 162 (1882).

Corm up to 1 -5 x 1 cm, ovoid to subglobose; tunic reddish-brown, mem­ branous, with a short neck. Leaves (2)3, 10-15(-20) cm x 3-10 mm, developing after anthesis, linear, obtuse, glabrous. Flowers 1-2 (rarely more); perianth-segments 10-20(-30) x 3-4(-10) mm, pale pink to white, obtuse. Filaments up to 9 mm; anthers 3-4 mm, yellow; pollen yellow. Styles straight, shortly curved at the apex; stigmas decurrent. Capsule c. 25 mm, ovoid-oblong. Flowering September to October. Dry, rocky places. Turkey-inEurope (N. of Istanbul). Tu.

Twopoorly known taxa perhaps belong here: C. macedonicum Kośanin, Gias Srpske Kralj. Akad. 85: 232 (1911), described from calcareous alpine pastures over 2000 m. in N.W. Macedonia (Jakupica), is said toflower in June; it has 2« = 54. Material of flowering specimens has sometimes been gathered with the previous season’s foliage and fruits, which may account for some authors relating it to C. davidovii Stefanov and to C. szovitsii Fischer & C. A. Meyer from the Caucasus, which flower with leaves partially developed. C. macedonicum clearly lacks foliage at anthesis, and differs from 12 in its punctiform stigma and wider, sometimes oblanceolate leaves. C. borisii Stefanov , Shorn. Balg. Akad. Nauk. 22: 63 (1926), described from calcareous soils in S. Bul­ garia (Rodopi Pl.), flowers in August and differs from 12 only in the slightly larger flowers and proportionately wider, more or less glaucous leaves. Further collections are required before their status can be determined.