Practical
Plants

Crocus cancellatus

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Crocus
Height
0.12 m
Spread
0.08 m
Fertility
Bees, Butterflies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Butterflies

Uses

Edible uses

Corm - cooked[9]. Used when the bulb is sprouting, it is prized as a vegetable[3].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
N. Africa to W. Asia - N. Palestine to Armenia.
Habitat
Rocky hillsides and open woods, to 1800 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[2]. 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[4]. Division of the clumps after the leaves die down in spring[1][4]. The bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

Grows best on a gritty well-drained slope[6]. Plants succeed outdoors if they are given perfect drainage in a warm sunny position[4], otherwise they are better grown in a bulb frame[10]. Bulbs should be planted 5 - 7cm deep in the soil[8]. June is the best time to do this[5]. This species includes C. edulis, which is a synonym of C. cancellatus damascenus[6]. The corms are sold in local markets in Syria[9]. 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]. The flowers are only open during the day time, closing at night[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  6. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  8. Innes. C. The World of Iridaceae

    ↩

  9. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2

  10. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩

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