Crocus

Crocus (Greek: Κρόκος) was a mortal youth who was beloved by the nymph Smilax and the god Hermes.
== Mythology ==
==== Smilax ====
Crocus, because he was unhappy with his love affair with the nymph Smilax, was turned by the gods into a plant bearing his name, the crocus (saffron). Smilax is believed to have been given a similar fate and transformed into bindweed.
==== Hermes ====
Crocus was said to be a lover/companion of Hermes and was accidentally killed by the god in a game of discus. Hermes was so distraught at this that he and Chloris transformed Crocus' body into a flower. The myth is similar to that of Apollo and Hyacinthus.
Category:Mortals
Category:Metamorphoses in Greek mythology
Category:Lovers of Hermes
Category:LGBT themes in Greek mythology