Crocus speciosus
Crocus speciosus, with common name Bieberstein's crocus, 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.
;Subspecies
- 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
Description
Crocus speciosus is a cormous perennial growing to tall.
The lilac flowers with paler coloured throats and dark veins appear in autumn. The orange styles are much-divided. As it increases rapidly, this species is suitable for naturalisation in grass.
The specific epithet speciosus means "showy".Cultivation
Crocus speciosus is cultivated as an ornamental plant.
The plant species, and the white-flowered cultivar 'Albus', have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
