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
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 M.Bieb.

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.

Subspecies

As listed by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families:^[2]

• Crocus speciosus subsp. ilgazensis B.Mathew - Turkey
• Crocus speciosus subsp. speciosus - Turkey, Iran, Caucasus, Crimea
• Crocus speciosus subsp. xantholaimos B.Mathew - Sinop Province in Turkey