Crocus speciosus

Crocus speciosus, with common name Bieberstein's crocus,[1] 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[2] and Bulgaria.[3]

Crocus speciosus
Flower showing the divided styles
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Species:
C. speciosus
Binomial name
Crocus speciosus

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.

The specific epithet speciosus means "showy".[4]

It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. As it increases rapidly, it is suitable for naturalisation in grass.[5] The species,[6] and the white-flowered cultivar 'Albus',[7] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Subspecies

As listed by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families:[2]

  • Crocus speciosus subsp. ilgazensis B.Mathew - Turkey
  • Crocus speciosus subsp. speciosus - Turkey, Iran, Caucasus, Crimea
  • Crocus speciosus subsp. xantholaimos B.Mathew - Sinop Province in Turkey

References
  1. "Crocus speciosus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Apostolova-Kuzova, E.; Stoyanov, K.; Raycheva, T.; Naimov, S. (2023). "Crocus speciosus (Iridaceae)-A New Species for the Bulgarian Flora". Plants (Basel, Switzerland). 12 (4): 932. doi:10.3390/plants12040932. PMC 9965344. PMID 36840280.
  4. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  5. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Crocus speciosus". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  7. "RHS Plant Selector - Crocus speciosus 'Albus'". Retrieved 15 April 2020.

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