I can sympathize with Dave, especially because we unwittingly sent him some of the misidentified colchicums to which he refers. This is why we no longer directly resell colchicum corms unless we are certain of their identity -- which means we are now trying to figure out a way to grow and identify thousands of their corms. This -- unlike the cultivation of crocuses, oxalis, and the like, many of which we grow in containers -- will take some tillable acreage. Some colchicum species and cultivars can be identified by their corms -- C. speciosum 'Album' and C. byzantinum being two. Others -- particularly the hybrids -- are a morass. I have yet to receive a true 'Giant' from a grower. Then there are the absolutely laughable substitutions -- C. 'Dick Trotter' labeled as C. atropurpureum, for example (even I figured that one out pretty quickly). The colchicums are a beautiful but at present muddled tribe. As for the monograph -- anyone got some grant money? Russell At 10:09 PM 1/15/2004 -0800, Dave Karnstedt wrote: Bingo! In the last couple of years, I have bought a great many colchicum and have been quite disappointed with respect to just how mixed they really are. A few sorts are so distinctive, however, that mix-ups are rare, e.g., the few doubles. Russell Stafford Odyssey Bulbs 8984 Meadow Lane, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103 269-471-4642 http://www.odysseybulbs.com/