Crocus corsicus explained

Crocus corsicus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae, endemic to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia.^[1]

Description

Crocus corsicus is a cormous perennial growing to 8cm-10cmcm (03inches-00inchescm) tall. The corm is tear-drop shaped with fine-reticulate, fibrous tunics.^[2] One or two, pale to bright reddish violet interior colored slender, fragrant, flowers are produced per blooming corm; the outer surfaces of the tepals are buff with dark purple feathering.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} The stigma is bright orange-red. The flowering period is from January to April.^[2] 2n = 18.^[6]

Crocus minimus also grows on Corsica and Sardinia and looks very similar, however, it can be distinguished quickly by the colour of the stigma, which in the case of C. corsicus is reddish-orange, rather than yellow.^[7]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[8]

Notes and References

1. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=327227 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
2. Book: Jelitto, Leo. Hardy herbaceous perennials. 1990. Timber Press. Wilhelm Schacht, Michael E. Epp, John Philip Baumgardt, Alfred Fessler. 0-88192-159-9. Portland, Or.. 170. 20012412 .
3. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
4. Ruksans, J. (2010). Crocuses. A complete guide to the genus: 1-216. Timber Press, Portland, London
5. Tutin, T.G. & al. (eds.) (1980). Flora Europaea 5: 1-452. Cambridge University Press.
6. Peruzzi. Lorenzo. Carta. Angelino. February 2011. Crocus ilvensis sp. nov. (sect. Crocus, Iridaceae), endemic to Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy). Nordic Journal of Botany. en. 29. 1. 6–13. 10.1111/j.1756-1051.2010.01023.x.
7. Book: La Flore Endémique de la Corse. 1996. Edisud. J. Gamisans and J.-F. Marzocchi.
8. Web site: Crocus corsicus. Royal Horticultural Society. 2020-04-17.