Crocus nudiflorus

Crocus nudiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Crocus of the family Iridaceae. They are dwarf, deciduous perennials found from southwestern France to Spain. They have been cultivated since Tudor times in Britain,[2] where they are now naturalized.[3]

Crocus nudiflorus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Iridaceae
Subfamily:
Crocoideae
Genus:
Crocus
Species:
C. nudiflorus
Binomial name
Crocus nudiflorus
Sm. 1798
Synonyms[1]
  • Crocus aphyllus Ker Gawl.
  • Crocus fimbriatus Lapeyr.
  • Crocus hybernus var. pyrenaeus (Herb.) Nyman
  • Crocus medius Balb.
  • Crocus multifidus Ramond
  • Crocus multifidus G.Bergeret [Illegitimate]
  • Crocus pyrenaeus Herb.

Description

It grows from rhizomes,[2] or corms,[4] which spread out into clumps of plants by stolons.[3]

Each corm usually sends out one long-tubed,[4] goblet-shaped,[3] or bell-shaped flower.[5] The bloom appears in autumn,[4] or at the end of summer.[5]

It ranges from deep purple to lilac-purple with a paler throat and bright orange or yellow stigma.[4][5][3] Then the linear, basal leaves,[4] usually with a silvery central stripe,[3] are produced in winter and spring following the autumn flowers,[4] when the fruits appear.[5]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet nudiflorus refers to 'naked flower', this is due to the flower emerging before the leaves grow.[5][2]

It was published and described by James Edward Smith in 'English Botany' Volume 7 on table 491 in 1798.[1][6]

Distribution and habitat

Crocus nudiflorus is native to various temperate areas of Europe, mainly southwestern France to Spain.[3][7]

Habitat

It is found on roadsides, meadows and pastures.[2][3]

It often grows in pastures with other crocus species including crocus vernus subsp. albiflorus but it is often eaten by Wild boars.[5]

Uses

It has been used in folk medicine as an anti-spasmodic, as an abortive and a sedative.[5]

Culture

In 2002, it was voted by the public as the county flower of Nottinghamshire.[2][8]

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References
  1. "Crocus nudiflorus Sm. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. Dr. Peter Jarvis The Pelagic Dictionary of Natural History of the British Isles (2020), p. 686, at Google Books
  3. "Pacific Bulb Society | Fall Blooming Crocus Two". www.pacificbulbsociety.org. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  4. "Crocus nudiflorus, autumn crocus/RHS Gardening". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. José Luis Benito Alonso Wild Flowers of Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (Spanish Pyrenees) 2014, p. 38, at Google Books
  6. "Crocus nudiflorus | International Plant Names Index". ipni.org (International Plant Names Index). Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  7. "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  8. "Autumn Crocus". Plantlife. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
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