Crocus November 2009

[Gerry Webster]

If 'Purple Heart' is a hybrid between C. niveus & C. cartwrightianus (or another saffron crocus) this would be remarkable given that the recent phylogenetic analysis suggests they are quite distantly related.

[Michael J Campbell]

A late one here,

Crocus laevigatus fontenayi.

[Armin]

Janis,
thank you for your detailed reply and judgement. I just remembered to have seen a "Purple Heart" on PC's webside and was surprised about the discription. For me it looks more C. cartwrightianus, too.

Gerry,
I personal support your comment.

Michael,
very beautiful potful of C. leavigatus

[WimB]

Some Crocusses in flower outside:

1) Crocus banaticus
2) Crocus longiflorus
3) Crocus niveus

[Sinchets]

If 'Purple Heart' is a hybrid between C. niveus & C. cartwrightianus (or another saffron crocus) this would be remarkable given that the recent phylogenetic analysis suggests they are quite distantly related.

How about C.cartwrightianus x C.hadriaticus?

[Janis Ruksans]

If 'Purple Heart' is a hybrid between C. niveus & C. cartwrightianus (or another saffron crocus) this would be remarkable given that the recent phylogenetic analysis suggests they are quite distantly related.

How about C.cartwrightianus x C.hadriaticus?

Not a bad idea. Both are quite close and cartwrightianus has forms with purple throat, hadriaticus quite rounded flowers.
Janis

[tonyg]

Given the variation in Crocus cartwrightianus I would put 'Purple Heart' as a variation of the pure species.  Here is a white with some purple and a purple with a purple throat.  The former breeds a good proportion of identical progeny.

[mark smyth]

The blue veined white cartwrightianus could be my favourite autumn Crocus

[Gerry Webster]

Given the variation in Crocus cartwrightianus I would put 'Purple Heart' as a variation of the pure species.  Here is a white with some purple and a purple with a purple throat.  The former breeds a good proportion of identical progeny.

Tony - this was my first thought & it seems to be confirmed by Janis' description of the bract & bracteole. However, he also states that the flower closes at night. While this may not be decisive (some of my C. cartwrightianus close at night while the flower is still 'young') I think it should be taken into consideration. I wonder how 'Purple Heart' behaves as the flower ages? There is also the flower shape -  how does this change with age? Finally, Christian lists this plant as C. niveus or a possible hybrid of this. While I am not always convinced by his identifications, I presume he has some reason for naming it thus. 

[tonyg]

While I am not always convinced by his identifications, I presume he has some reason for naming it thus.  

I am sure that things that sound unusual sell better ... and perhaps for a higher price?

....why is there not an emoticon for cynical    

 

edit by maggi: try this ,Tony.....


 or this....

[Gerry Webster]

While I am not always convinced by his identifications, I presume he has some reason for naming it thus.  

I am sure that things that sound unusual sell better ... and perhaps for a higher price?

....why is there not an emoticon for cynical    

 

edit by maggi: try this ,Tony.....
(Attachment Link)

 or this....
(Attachment Link)

Tut tut. When you can have it for a mere £12.50.

[Janis Ruksans]

Returning to Crocus laevigatus I want to show you picture made this spring (11th of March) in KEW BG. It was collected in Greece, Cyclades, Isle of Naxos, at 25m altitude, by Brian Mathew. Really that is the darkest one seen by me and one of the latest, too because at my visit in Kew allmost all crocuses were over, bloomed only very few but this one "autumnal"  was at full bloom. It was the first spring blooming laevigatus seen by me, although I know that laevigatus blooms through all winter up to spring, but so late was surprise for me.
Janis

[tonyg]

Fascinating Janis - I was not aware of the spring flowering forms being in cultivation.  I have a couple of forms that sometimes keep flowers until January but only when exposed to cold garden conditions.  In pots the flowers are over sooner.

[Janis Ruksans]

Fascinating Janis - I was not aware of the spring flowering forms being in cultivation.  I have a couple of forms that sometimes keep flowers until January but only when exposed to cold garden conditions.  In pots the flowers are over sooner.

I don't know how Kew keeps those Crocuses in winter, but I think they stay "out" only under glass roof protecting against excessive moisture.
Janis

[Sinchets]

Maybe there are other late forms of C.laevigatus out there on other islands, but they just haven't been 'found' yet.
Tont your blue-centred white C.cartwightianus is beautiful, but is it a garden selection or a wild one. It would be interesting to know where in the species' range it came from if it is from the wild.