Crocus – Crocus spp.

Common Name: Crocus

Botanical Name: Crocus spp., KRO-kus

Decorative Life: Varies greatly by cultivar and temperature and to a lesser degree by light levels. Individual flowers last from 2-5 days but the entire plant longevity can be as high as 7-12 days if sold at the sprout stage of development and held in a cool environment.

Flower Color: Blue, White, Yellow

Availability: Spring, Winter

Harvest and market at the sprout stage of development.

• Is a member of the Iridaceae (iris family).
• Native from the Mediterranean region to South West Asia.
• Common relatives include iris, ixia, freesia and gladiolus.

• Produced from corms, not bulbs. Corms are modified stems.
• Classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined.
• Flowers are tubular, flaring to cup-shaped at ends, up to 3 inches long.
• No fragrance of consequence.

34-38F.

• Crocus: Greek name of the saffron (C. sativus).
• Can purchase corms, plant them, follow growing instructions and allow them to produce flowers thus extending the enjoyment period.
• The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant.
• Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort up to full sun.

While the following is not a recent research finding to say the least, it still is very applicable today. Pfeffer (1897 as reported by Wood, 1953) showed that when light causes a less than one degree F increase in crocus temperature that flower opening can be stimulated whereas an equal fall in temperature can cause the flower to close.