Only described in 1994, this is one of a number of recently discovered taxa.   Excursions in the mountains of Turkey, notably by Helmut Kerndorff and Erich Pasche, have revealed plants previously unknown in cultivation.   In the case of Crocus mathewii (named in honour of Crocus guru Brian Mathew), there is some debate about the distinctions between this species and Crocus asumaniae.   However, the two plants do occupy different habitats and have no overlap in their distribution.

*If this plant is offered as corms check that these are seed raised.   This plant may be threatened in the wild so the offering of corms from unspecified source must be considered dubious (at the very least).