Kingdom Plantae Family Iridaceae Genus Crocus Higher classification Crocus | Order Asparagales Subfamily Crocoideae Scientific name Crocus ligusticus Rank Species | |
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Similar Crocus, Iridaceae, Crocus versicolor, Crocus kotschyanus, Crocus etruscus | ||
Crocus ligusticus is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the genus Crocus of the Iridaceae family. The Genus nane Crocus is a Chaldean name meaning "saffron", while the specific Latin name ligusticus, meaning ligurian, refers to the distribution area of this species.
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Description
This plant has a corm with 15–25 millimetres (0.59–0.98 in) of diameter. The grass-like ensiform leaves are fully grown in May. They are usually two or three and may reach a maximum height of about 30 centimetres (12 in). The solitary pale purple flowers bear three anthers with yellow-orange pollen and bright red and very fringed stigmas protruding from the large perigonium, making it very characteristic. Crocus ligusticus is an autumn-flowering plant. The flowering period extends from September through October. Likewise other species of the genus Crocus it is slightly toxic, owing to the content of some alkaloids.
Distribution
Crocus ligusticus is an native species of Liguria and the southern Maritime Alps in France and Italy.
Habitat
These plants can be encountered on woods and meadows in mountain environments, at an altitude of 600–1,700 metres (2,000–5,600 ft) above sea level.