Crocus corsicus

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Crocus corsicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Species:
C. corsicus
Binomial name
Crocus corsicus
Vanucchi[1]

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.[2]

Description[edit]

Crocus corsicus is a cormous perennial growing to 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) tall. The corm is tear-drop shaped with fine-reticulate, fibrous tunics.[3] 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.[3][4][5][6] The stigma is bright orange-red. The flowering period is from January to April.[3] 2n = 18.[7]

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.[8]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Crocus corsicus Vanucchi". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  2. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ a b c Jelitto, Leo (1990). Hardy herbaceous perennials. Wilhelm Schacht, Michael E. Epp, John Philip Baumgardt, Alfred Fessler. Portland, Or.: Timber Press. p. 170. ISBN 0-88192-159-9. OCLC 20012412.
  4. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  5. ^ Ruksans, J. (2010). Crocuses. A complete guide to the genus: 1-216. Timber Press, Portland, London
  6. ^ Tutin, T.G. & al. (eds.) (1980). Flora Europaea 5: 1-452. Cambridge University Press.
  7. ^ Peruzzi, Lorenzo; Carta, Angelino (February 2011). "Crocus ilvensis sp. nov. (sect. Crocus, Iridaceae), endemic to Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)". Nordic Journal of Botany. 29 (1): 6–13. doi:10.1111/j.1756-1051.2010.01023.x.
  8. ^ J. Gamisans and J.-F. Marzocchi (1996). La Flore Endémique de la Corse. Edisud.
  9. ^ "Crocus corsicus". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2020-04-17.