Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms. They are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Iran is the center of saffron production. Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub, and meadows from sea level to alpine tundra from the Mediterranean, through North Africa, central and southern Europe, the islands of the Aegean, the Middle East and across Central Asia to Xinjiang in western China. Crocuses may be propagated from seed or from daughter cormels formed on the corm, that eventually produce mature plants. They arrived in Europe from Turkey in the 16th century and became valued as an ornamental flowering plant.
Crocus chrysanthus, the snow crocus or golden crocus, is a species of flowering plant of the Crocus genus in the family Iridaceae. Native to the Balkans and Turkey, it bears vivid orange-yellow bowl-shaped flowers. It has smaller corms and a smaller flower than the giant Dutch crocus, although it produces more flowers per bulb than the latter. Its common name, "snow crocus", derives from its exceptionally early flowering period, blooming about two weeks before the giant crocus, and often emerging through the snow in late winter or early spring. The leaves are narrow with a silver central stripe. Height: 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm).
Crocus sieberi, Sieber's crocus, also referred to as the Cretan crocus or snow crocus, is a plant of the genus Crocus in the family Iridaceae. A small, early blooming crocus, it easily naturalises, and is marked by a brilliant orange which is mostly confined to the stamens and style, fading through the bottom third of the tepal. It grows wild generally in the Balkans and Greece, especially in the island Crete. There are four subtypes: sieberi (Crete), atticus, nivalis and sublimis. Its cultivars are used as ornamental plants. Height: 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm).
Crocus tommasinianus, the woodland crocus, early crocus, or Tommasini's crocus, was named after the botanist Muzio G. Spirito de Tommasini (1794-1879). It is native to Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, and the former Yugoslavia. It is often referred to as the early or snow crocus, but these terms are shared with several other species, although C. tommasinianus is amongst the first to bloom. Multiple plants are often called tommies in the horticultural trade.
Crocus angustifolius, the cloth-of-gold crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, native to southern Ukraine and Armenia. It is a cormous perennial growing to 5 cm (2.0 in) tall and wide. The narrow grass-like leaves with silver central stripe appear in late winter or early spring. They are followed by bright yellow fragrant flowers with maroon blotches on the outer petals.
Crocus etruscus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, endemic to woodlands of Central Tuscany (Italy). It is a cormous perennial growing to 8 cm (3.1 in) tall. The lilac flowers with purple veining and prominent orange stigmas appear in early spring.
Crocus versicolor is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, found in southeast France, Monaco, and northwestern Italy.
Crocus graveolens is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Turkey.
Crocus minimus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, found in South Corsica, Sardinia and Capraia.
Crocus baytopiorum is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Turkey.
Crocus scardicus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to eastern Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia.
Crocus fleischeri is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial with a native range from the eastern Aegean Islands to western and south western Turkey.
Crocus candidus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Turkey.
Crocus antalyensis is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Turkey.
Crocus alatavicus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang.
Crocus reticulatus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to central and southern European Russia, the northern Caucasus, the Transcaucasus, and Ukraine.
Crocus cyprius is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Cyprus where it is found in the Troödos Mountains.
Crocus aerius is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Turkey.
Crocus hartmannianus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Cyprus.
Crocus pestalozzae is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. It is a cormous perennial native to Turkey.
