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copyedit
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
| subdivision = See text.
See text.
}}
}}
[[Image:Eiger.jpg|thumb|left|Wild crocus growing in the foothills of the [[Eiger]] in the [[Alps|European Alps]].]]
[[Image:Eiger.jpg|thumb|left|Wild crocus growing in the foothills of the [[Eiger]] in the [[Alps|European Alps]].]]
The genus ''Crocus'' is placed botanically in the iris family ([[Iridaceae]]). The plants grow from [[corm]]s and are mainly [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy]] perennials, and are found a wide range of [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]]s, including woodland, scrub and meadows.
The genus ''Crocus'' is placed botanically in the iris family ([[Iridaceae]]). The plants grow from [[corm]]s and are mainly [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy]] perennials, and are found a wide range of [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]]s, including woodland, scrub and meadows.
There are about eighty species of crocus (of which approximately 30 are cultivated). Their cup-shaped, solitary, salverform flowers taper off into a narrow tube. Their color varies enormously, although lilac, mauve, yellow and white are predominant. The grass-like, ensiform [[leaf]] shows generally a white central stripe along the leaf axis. The leaf margin is entire. All crocuses typically have three stamens.
There are about eighty species of crocus, of which approximately 30 are commonly cultivated. Their flowers are cup-shaped, solitary, salverform, tapering off into a narrow tube; they vary enormously in colour, though lilac, mauve, yellow and white are predominant. The grass-like, ensiform [[leaf]] generally shows a white central stripe along the leaf axis. The leaf margin is entire. All crocuses typically have three stamens.
The name of the genus is derived from the Latin adjective ''crocatus'', meaning saffron yellow. The spice [[saffron]] is obtained from the [[Carpel|stigma]]s of ''Crocus sativus'', an autumn/fall-blooming [[species]].
The name of the genus is derived from the Latin adjective ''crocatus'', meaning saffron yellow. The spice [[saffron]] is obtained from the [[Carpel|stigma]]s of ''Crocus sativus'', an autumn/fall-blooming [[species]].
==True autumn crocuses==
==True autumn crocuses==
<gallery>
<gallery>
image:CrocusVernusPickwick.jpg|''Crocus vernus'' 'Pickwick', a Dutch hybrid
image:CrocusVernusPickwick.jpg|''Crocus vernus'' 'Pickwick', a Dutch hybrid
image:CrocusEABowles.jpg|''Crocus'' 'E.A. Bowles', <br /> a Chrysanthus hybrid
image:CrocusEABowles.jpg|''Crocus'' 'E.A. Bowles', a Chrysanthus hybrid
Image:Frühlingsblumen Krokus.jpg|Crocus [[cultivars]]
Image:Frühlingsblumen Krokus.jpg|Crocus [[cultivars]]
</gallery>
</gallery>
==In cultivation==
==In cultivation==
As one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, the large selected [[hybrid]] Dutch crocus are popular with gardeners. However, in areas where snow and frost occasionally occur in the early spring it is not uncommon for early-flowering crocuses to suddenly wither and die from a unseasonable frost or snowfall.
As one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, the large [[hybrid]]ized and selected "Dutch crocus" are popular with gardeners. However, in areas where snow and frost occasionally occur in the early spring it is not uncommon for early-flowering crocuses to suddenly wither and die from a unseasonable frost or snowfall.
Most crocus species and hybrids should be planted in a sunny position, in gritty, well-drained soil, although a few prefer shadier sites in moist soil. Some are suitable for naturalising in grass. The corms should be planted about 3–4 cm deep; in heavy soils a quantity of sharp grit should be dug in to improve drainage.
Most crocus species and hybrids should be planted in a sunny position, in gritty, well-drained soil, although a few prefer shadier sites in moist soil. Some are suitable for naturalising in grass. The corms should be planted about 3–4 cm deep; in heavy soils a quantity of sharp grit should be dug in to improve drainage.
Some crocuses, especially ''C. tommasini
Some crocuses, especially ''C. tommasinianus'' and its selected forms and hybrids (such as 'Whitewell Purple' and 'Ruby Giant') seed prolifically and are ideal for naturalising. They can, however, become [[weed]]s in [[rock garden]]s, where they will often appear in the middle of choice, mat-forming alpine plants and can be difficult to remove.
==History==
==History==
::* ''[[Crocus kosaninii]]''
::* ''[[Crocus kosaninii]]''
::* ''[[Crocus tommasinianus]]'' - early crocus
::* ''[[Crocus tommasinianus]]'' - early crocus
::* ''[[Crocus vernus]]'' - spring crocus, Dutch crocus
::* ''[[Crocus vernus]]'' - spring crocus
::Series Versicolores
::Series Versicolores
:B. Section Nudiscapus
:B. Section Nudiscapus
::Series Aleppici
::Series Aleppici
::* ''[[Crocus aleppicus]]''
::* ''[[Crocus aleppicus]]''
::* ''[[Crocus veneris]]''
::* ''[[Crocus veneris]]''
::* ''[[Crocus saris]]''
::* ''[[Crocus saris]]''
::Series Biflori
::Series Biflori
::* ''[[Crocus adanensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus adanensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus aerius]]''
::* ''[[Crocus aerius]]''
::* ''[[Crocus almehensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus almehensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus biflorus]]'' - silvery crocus, Scotch crocus
::* ''[[Crocus biflorus]]'' - silvery crocus
::* ''[[Crocus caspius]]''
::* ''[[Crocus caspius]]''
::* ''[[Crocus chrysanthus]]'' - golden crocus
::* ''[[Crocus chrysanthus]]'' - golden crocus
::* ''[[Crocus leichtlinii]]''
::* ''[[Crocus leichtlinii]]''
::* ''[[Crocus paschei]]''
::* ''[[Crocus paschei]]''
::* ''[[Crocus
::* ''[[Crocus pestalozzae]]''
pestalozzae]]''
::* ''[[Crocus wattiorum]]''
::* ''[[Crocus wattiorum]]''
::* ''[[Crocus robertianus]]''
::* ''[[Crocus robertianus]]''
::* ''[[Crocus rujanensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus rujanensis]]''
::* ''[[Crocus sieberi]]'' - Cretan crocus
::* ''[[Crocus sieberi]]'' - Sieber's crocus
::* ''[[Crocus sieheanus]]''
::* ''[[Crocus sieheanus]]''
::Series Speciosi
::Series Speciosi
::* ''[[Crocus speciosus]]'' - Bieberstein's crocus, large purple crocus
::* ''[[Crocus speciosus]]'' - Bieberstein's crocus
::* ''[[Crocus pulchellus]]'' - hairy crocus
::* ''[[Crocus pulchellus]]'' - hairy crocus
2. Subgenus Crociris
2. Subgenus Crociris
:* ''[[Crocus banaticus]]''
:* ''[[Crocus banaticus]]''
==Misuses of the name crocus==
Though some true crocus bloom with the fall (autumn) rains, after summer's heat and drought, the name "autumn crocus" is often misused as a common name for [[Colchicum]], which is in the lily family ([[Liliaceae]]), and which has six stamens; it is also (confusingly and incorrectly) known as "meadow saffron". The so-called "prairie crocus" (formerly ''Anemone patens'', now ''[[Pasque flower|Pulsatilla patens]]'' or ''P. ludoviciana'') belongs to the buttercup family ([[Ranunculaceae]]).
== References ==
== References ==