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Spring crocus

Crocus vernus

A plant species of the saffron family (Iridaceae). The spring crocus occurs naturally in mountain meadows in Europe, in the Tatras, the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Balkans. In Poland, it grows wild in the Tatra Mountains, the Gorce Mountains and the Bieszczady Mountains. The largest stands of crocus - Crocus heuffelianus and Crocus scepusiensis grow on Polana Chochołowska and Hala Gąsiennicowa in the Tatra Mountains.

Crocuses produce annual scale-covered tubers that overwinter in the ground, often mistakenly called bulbs.

The plant grows to a height of about 15 cm. The leaves are dark green, often with a white stripe in the middle. The flower at the base is fused into a long tube, is not differentiated into a calyx and corolla, and has 6 petals with purple, white or yellow colouring and orange-yellow anthers. Leaves and flowers emerge almost simultaneously. The leaves turn yellow and dry in May-June.

Crocuses are ideal for forming picturesque flowering groups, as they are perennial plants and can flower in one place for many years. As one of the first early-blooming crocuses, they greet us with flowers even when the ground is still covered with snow. It is a melliferous species.

Crocuses need plenty of light, prefer sunny positions, the soil should be humus, permeable, with a slightly acidic pH. They grow best when given plenty of moisture but without stagnation. Do not cut the leaves of crocuses prematurely - the leaves in spring and early summer accumulate nutrients (cutting them prematurely may prevent the plants from flowering the following year). It is not until the end of May that tuber growth stops and it is safe to cut or mow the crocus leaves along with the grass.

A variety of crocus (Crocus sativus) is used to obtain the world's most expensive spice, saffron. These are the dried stigmas of the flower pistils of the cultivated crocus. The largest amount of saffron in the world is produced in Iran and Spain.