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Crocus serotinus - Salisb.

Common Name
Family Iridaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Stony slopes in scrub and open pine woods[90].
Range Southern Europe to Northern Africa and Western Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Crocus serotinus


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tintazul
Crocus serotinus
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Crocus serotinus is a CORM growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from November to May, in flower from November to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, butterflies.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Colouring  Condiment

The flowers are used as a saffron substitute in flavouring food and colouring it yellow[177, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

The yellow dye obtained from the stigmas yields a yellow dye, it is a saffron substitute[177].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, conditions and positions[1]. Plants grow well in a peaty soil in a bulb frame and should succeed outdoors in a sandy peaty soil[90]. The subspecies C. serotinus austriacus can be naturalized in grass or beneath deep rooting trees on light well-drained soils[200]. Plants tend to move considerably from their original planting place because of their means of vegetative reproduction, it is therefore wise not to grow different species in close proximity[1]. Any planting out is best done in late spring or early summer[245]. Mice are very fond of the corms of this species[1]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[200]. The flowers are only open during the day time, closing at night[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light sandy soil in pots in a cold frame[1]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in early spring[1]. Sow thinly because the seed usually germinates freely[1], within 1 - 6 months at 18°c[164]. Unless the seed has been sown too thickly, do not transplant the seedlings in their first year of growth, but give them regular liquid feeds to make sure they do not become deficient. Divide the small bulbs once the plants have died down, planting 2 - 3 bulbs per 8cm pot. Grow them on for another 2 years in a greenhouse or frame and plant them out into their permanent positions when dormant in late summer[K]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[200]. Division f the clumps after the leaves die down in spring[1, 200]. The bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Spain, Portugal AFRICA: Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Colchicum autumnaleAutumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron,Bulb0.2 6-9 MLMHSNM031
Crocus cancellatus Corm0.1 4-8  LMNM10 
Crocus kotschyanus Corm0.3 4-8  LMNDM10 
Crocus nudiflorus Corm0.2 4-8  LMSNDM231
Crocus sativusSaffronCorm0.1 5-9  LMSNDM332

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Salisb.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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