Crocus speciosus

Crocus speciosus
C. speciosus flower showing the divided styles
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Crocoideae
Genus: Crocus
Species: C. speciosus
Binomial name
Crocus speciosus
M. Bieb.

Crocus speciosus, with common name Bieberstein's crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. The plant is native to northern and central Turkey, the Caucasus, northern Iran, Crimea.[1]

Subspecies[1]
  1. Crocus speciosus subsp. ilgazensis B.Mathew - Turkey
  2. Crocus speciosus subsp. speciosus - Turkey, Iran, Caucasus, Crimea
  3. Crocus speciosus subsp. xantholaimos B.Mathew - Sinop Province in Turkey

Description

Crocus speciosus is a cormous perennial growing to 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) tall.

The lilac flowers with paler coloured throats and dark veins appear in autumn (fall). The orange styles are much-divided. As it increases rapidly, this species is suitable for naturalisation in grass.[2]

The specific epithet speciosus means "showy".[3]

Cultivation

Crocus speciosus is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

The plant species,[4] and the white cultivar 'Albus',[5] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

  1. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Crocus speciosus". Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Crocus speciosus 'Albus'". Retrieved 18 June 2013.
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