Crocus sieberi sieberi
| Flowering Time |
Spring |
|
Distribution |
Crete |
|
Native Climate |
Dry Mediterranean |
|
Wild Habitat |
Stony hillsides and short grazed turf |
|
Distinctive Features |
Flower white with purple stain on exterior of outer petals, throat yellow. Corm tunic finely netted fibres |
|
Closest Relatives |
|
|
Cultivation Requirements |
Winter protection best away from native climate. Warm dryish summer rest |
|
Availability |
Specialist bulb suppliers |
Very distinct in flower from the other subspecies and also occupying a somewhat disjunct distribution. The external markings are very variable, although almost always attractive.
In cultivation this is a more difficult plant to maintain, requiring a drier summer rest. This species has been hybridised in cultivation with subspecies atticus to produce cultivar 'Hubert Edelsten' which is a good garden plant.
This plant has very variable markings on the exterior of the outer petals. Several forms are pictured below.
Crocus sieberi seed - actual size c1.5mm diameter
Form A
Form B
Form C