Crocus March 2011

[tonyg]

Those markings on the outer segments of imperatii reidii are superb.

Why would we think this is different from a good minimus?

I was thinking how it looked similar to the trade form of Crocus corsicus.  The yellow in the throat should not occur in minimus or corsicus though.

[Janis Ruksans]

Those markings on the outer segments of imperatii reidii are superb.

Why would we think this is different from a good minimus?

Comercial minimus of common trade has very small flowers, imperatii reidii ~ 4x larger, brighter, much more spectacular.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Those markings on the outer segments of imperatii reidii are superb.

Why would we think this is different from a good minimus?

I was thinking how it looked similar to the trade form of Crocus corsicus.  The yellow in the throat should not occur in minimus or corsicus though.

Yes, you are right - minimus and true corsicus (not hybrids!) has no yellow in throat
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Noted two pots with strangely arranged leaves - both are cancellatus. Some cancellatus stocks in autumn form leaves adpressed to soil, but such coiling I noted for the first time
On last picture earliest form of C. cvijicii 'Gul Greek' at end of blooming pales.
Janis

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks you both for the note about yellow in the throat - or lack of it - in corsicus and minimus. From my own pictures of minimus (which has quite large flowers incidentally), there seems to be a very narrow ring of yellow well down in the throat but not the suffusion into the fabric of the petals, as in imperati reidii. Those of us who are not "experts" tend to see the spectacular while not noticing the detail.