Crocus etruscus

Crocus etruscus (Tuscan crocus) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, endemic to woodlands of Central Tuscany (Italy).[2] It is a cormous perennial growing to 8 cm (3.1 in) tall. The lilac flowers with purple veining and prominent orange stigmas appear in early spring.[3]

Crocus etruscus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Species:
C. etruscus
Binomial name
Crocus etruscus

Description

Crocus etruscus is a herbaceous perennial geophyte growing from a corm. The corm is globe shaped with a flat top, the tunic is coarsely netted and a secondary star-shaped tunic is produced around the basal plate (where the roots are generated). Flowers are lavender-blue with gray-blue outer surfaces that are marked with dark veining. The three-branched, orange-red stigma is generally taller than the anthers. Flowering occurs in late winter- early spring.[4] Plants are self-incompatible,[5] meaning that viable seeds are not produced when pollination occurs among flowers of the same corm. The anthers open up away from the center of the flower to release pollen.[5]

Habitat

It is found growing in sub-Mediterranean deciduous woods and stony fields; the species may be in bloom from February to April.[6] The specie is almost extinct in the wild.[4] It has a restricted natural range, being endemic to the southwestern part of Tuscany.[5]

In nature the plant has "near-threatened" status.[1] However, it also appears in cultivation. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7]

Cultivars
  • Crocus etruscus 'Zwanenburg' is a cultivar with flowers that are pale violet-gray. The flowers have lilac-blue and deep violet-blue striations, with pale yellow throats, and orange anthers.
  • Crocus etruscus 'Rosaline' is a cultivar with soft pink flowers.[4]


References
  1. Carta, A.; Peruzzi, L. (2011). "Crocus etruscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T161939A5516365. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T161939A5516365.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. Carta A, Pierini B, Alessandrini A, Frignani F, Peruzzi L (2010). "Contributo alla conoscenza della flora vascolare endemica di Toscana ed aree contermini. 1. Crocus etruscus Parl. (Iridaceae)". Inform. Bot. Ital. 42 (1): 47–52.
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. Jelitto, Leo; Schacht, Wilhelm; Epp, Michael E.; Baumgardt, John Philip; Fessler, Alfred (1990). Hardy herbaceous perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 170. ISBN 0-88192-159-9. OCLC 20012412.
  5. Carta A, Campigli S, Peruzzi L, Bedini G (2016-11-01). "The avoidance of self-interference in the Tuscan endemic spring geophyte Crocus etruscus Parl. (Iridaceae)". Plant Biosystems. 150 (6): 1358–1363. doi:10.1080/11263504.2015.1118164. ISSN 1126-3504. S2CID 87988779.
  6. Phillips, Roger; Rix, Martyn (1989). The Random House Book of Bulbs. Random House. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-679-72756-9.
  7. "Crocus etruscus". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
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