Crocus
Crocus cartwrightianus
37.9557, 23.9201
Field Notes
Description:
Crocus cartwrightianus is native and endemic in southern Greece with the center of Attica and spreads on the axis Attiki (and Salamina, Aegina), Cyclades (Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos, Tinos, Syros, Kea) and Chania.
C. cartwrightianus is the wild ancestor of Crocus sativus that Its dried dots give the saffron, a very expensive product (to produce a kilo of saffron need 150,000 crocus flowers).
The bibliography states that John Cartwright, a British consul in Istanbul, sent a plant from Tinos to herbalist Herbert Spencer, who published his scientific description and to honor the consul gave the plant his name.
In later years Greek traders from Vienna brought bulbs to Kozani area (West Macedonia /Northern Greece) for cultivation. Crocus of Kozani, has bigger "spots" but is infertile.
Habitat:
Rocky sites, low shrubs and sparse pine forests, at altitudes from sea level up to 1,000 m.
Blooms from October to December. Fragrant flowers usually purple-lilac (also appear white flowers) with dark ribbons. Flowers do not close at night.
Notes:
The last picture is ... the same as the first, with a festive wrap for the upcoming holiday.
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