Crocus caspius
| Flowering Time |
Autumn |
|
Distribution |
Iran (Mountain foothills around Caspian sea) |
|
Native Climate |
Cold, moist winters. Drier but not arid in summer |
|
Wild Habitat |
Scrub and woodland |
|
Distinctive Features |
White flower often stippled lilac on outer petals. Membranous corm tunic splits at base |
|
Closest Relatives |
No close relatives - a distinct species |
|
Cultivation Requirements |
Avoid excessive dryness in summer. |
|
Availability |
Occasionally in society and specialist seed lists |
Quite distinct amongst the autumn flowering crocuses and one of the most beautiful. Not difficult in cultivation in the UK and regularly sets seed. Curiously the capsules ripen at or just below ground level, in most other species the stem elongates to lift the capsule well above ground.
