Crocus banaticus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae.[1][2] It is native to the Balkans, particularly in Serbia, Romania and south western Ukraine.[3] It creates its own subgenus in the Crocus subfamily known as Crociris[citation needed]. It is a cormous perennial growing to 10 cm (4 in).[4]

Crocus banaticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus
Subgenus: Crocus subg. Crociris
Species:
C. banaticus
Binomial name
Crocus banaticus
Synonyms[1]
  • Crocus herbertianus Körn.
  • Crocus iridiflorus Heuff. ex Rchb.
  • Crocus nudiflorus Schult.

Flowers, usually violet but also white, appear in autumn (fall). The small inner tepals are surrounded by three larger tepals, unlike the more symmetrical crocus species found outside of the subfamily. The flowers are followed by grass-like leaves, lacking the silver stripe normally associated with the genus.[5]

Crocus banaticus has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Crocus banaticus J.Gay". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Crocus banaticus J.Gay". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Crocus banaticus and other fall blooming species of Crocus
  4. ^ a b "Crocus banaticus". Plant Selector. Royal Horticultural Society.
  5. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.