Merendera
(a name given to Colchicum by the Spaniards). ORD. Liliaceae. A genus comprising ten species of pretty, hardy, bulbous plants, inhabiting the Mediterranean region, and extending thence to Abyssinia and Afghanistan. They are closely allied to Colchicum, but the flattened portion of each of the six perianth segments is abruptly contracted into a long, narrow claw, and is, at the point of contraction, furnished on each side with a small tooth. For culture, see Colchicum.
M. Aitchisoni (Aitchison's). A synonym of M. persica. M. Bulbocodium (Bulbocodium).* fl. one or two; perianth segments rosy-lilac, lanceolate, sub-acute; stamens much shorter than the perianth; anthers yellow. Autumn. l. three, emerging after the flowers, at length linear, falcate, channelled. h. 3in. to 4in. Pyrenees and the mountains of Spain (Sierra Nevada) in the alpine regions. SYN. Colchicum montanum. M. caucasica (Caucasian). fl. one to three from the same spathe; perianth segments, with long narrow claws, which meet and form a tube; lamina delicate rose-coloured, tinged with purple. May. l. three, narrow-lanceolate, obtuse, channelled; much-tapering at the base, shorter than the flowers. h. 3in. Caucasus, 1823. (B. M. 3690.) M. c. Eichleri (Eichler's). This differs from the type in the inner segments being distinctly auriculated at the base. Eastern Caucasus. (R. G. 952.) M. persica (Persian). fl. pale lilac, fragrant, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter, funnel-shaped; keel of perianth segments pale reddish. November. l. 1in. to 2in. long, 1/2in. broad, acute, concave, dark green, rather fleshy, lengthening to 6in. or 8in. Corm 1 1/2in. long, flagon-shaped, with a long neck; tunic pale chestnut-brown. India, Persia, &c., 1872. (B. M. 6012, under name of M. Aitchisoni.)