| Crocus speciosus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flower showing the divided styles | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Crocus |
| Species: | C. speciosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Crocus speciosus | |
Crocus speciosus, with common name Bieberstein's crocus, [1] 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 [2] and Bulgaria. [3]
Crocus speciosus is a cormous perennial growing to 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) tall. The lilac flowers with paler coloured throats and dark veins appear in autumn (fall). The orange styles are much-divided.
The specific epithet speciosus means "showy". [4]
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. As it increases rapidly, it is suitable for naturalisation in grass. [5] The species, [6] and the white-flowered cultivar 'Albus', [7] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
