Two new crocuses

[Janis Ruksans]

This summer two new crocuses where described by Erich Pasche and Helmut Kerndorf in STAPFIA
The first - excellent new species pictured few years ago in our forum by Dave Millward. I went to search for it - and found. It was prepared for publication in September issue of The Plantsman, but then came June issue of STAPFIA where this new one was described as Crocus roseoviolaceus. Genetic research confirmed that this Crocus is identical Another - Crocus minutus - is closer to Crocus danfordiae but easy separable by its white stigma and black "beard" at anthers base. I collected it few years ago but didn't give attention to those two features regarding them only as variation in very variable C. danfordiae.
Janis

[Martin Baxendale]

I love the dark anthers and dark throat on C. roseoviolaceus 

[I.S.]

  Janis it is same for me also. I post this C. danfordiae before as a new biflorus with white throat and white style! but after I check your C. danfordiae and T. GOODE's C. danfordiae. I was doubt!.
  There is also another new subsp. from antalyensis!

[Janis Ruksans]

 Janis it is same for me also. I post this C. danfordiae before as a new biflorus with white throat and white style! but after I check your C. danfordiae and T. GOODE's C. danfordiae. I was doubt!.
  There is also another new subsp. from antalyensis!

The new antalyensis is subsp. gemicii described by Osman Erol from Istanbul University.
Janis

[I.S.]

 Yes I have the picture from last year. And exactly from same location! I can post lather.

[I.S.]

  I think this one should be C. minutus. I post the pictures last february http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6629.150
  This was something between biflorus and danfordia in size.

[Janis Ruksans]

  I think this one should be C. minutus. I post the pictures last february http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6629.150
  This was something between biflorus and danfordia in size.

Yours looks closer to original description by color, mine are bluer, but color isn't so important in crocuses, especially in blue-white group. Something strange is size. Mine are of typical danfordiase size, although I have few large "danfordiae", too. I put them under label "possible hybrid with chrysanthus" because they are of brighter color. Really danfordiase is very strange crocus with flowers from white to quite deep yellow and blue shades.
Janis

[tonyg]

Fascinating to hear of (and see) new taxa.  Thanks for sharing these with us.  I have grown C danfordiae yellow, white and blue.  I have had plants with dark 'beard' at bottom of anthers.  Indeed the blue form illustrated on Crocus Pages website has this feature plus white style.  I have also had one 'super size' plant appear in a pot of C danfordiae (ex seed).   As Janis says this is in some ways an unusual crocus, especially in the yellow/blue colour forms, no other taxa has this variation.  

Is C minutus really a new species, are many of the plants we grow as C danfordiae mis-named??  (Does it matter? )  I'm not sure!  If someone tells me that C minutus has white and yellow forms I'll have to stick with C danfordiae.

[Janis Ruksans]

Fascinating to hear of (and see) new taxa.  Thanks for sharing these with us.  I have grown C danfordiae yellow, white and blue.  I have had plants with dark 'beard' at bottom of anthers.  Indeed the blue form illustrated on Crocus Pages website has this feature plus white style.  I have also had one 'super size' plant appear in a pot of C danfordiae (ex seed).   As Janis says this is in some ways an unusual crocus, especially in the yellow/blue colour forms, no other taxa has this variation.  

Is C minutus really a new species, are many of the plants we grow as C danfordiae mis-named??  (Does it matter? )  I'm not sure!  If someone tells me that C minutus has white and yellow forms I'll have to stick with C danfordiae.

Dear Tony,
C. minutus and danfordiae are different genetically, too. After receiving of description of new taxa I checked all my notes and pictures of Crocuses labeled as danfordiae and only one stock from around 20 matched with description of minutus and just this one was collected approximately in place from where minutus comes. So I suppose that mine is true, although only genetic research could confirm this without any doubt. Really I don't like situation when determination of species is possible only in laboratory.
Janis

[tonyg]

Dear Janis
Thanks for confirming that genetic analysis upholds the new species.   Sadly I no longer grow Crocus minutus ... I had it in times before our second child was born.  Now we go and fly kites, ride bikes and visit nice places but not so much time for loving my crocuses

[I.S.]

  This is the one which I believe is C. antalyensis subsp. gemicii. 
C. antalyaensis has a very great variations. It will not be surprise for me if each location turn into a new subspecies!
  My subsp. gemicii if from same location like on description. This was a little smaller than my the other samples of antalyensis. They were together with C. fleischeri and also they very similar in in size and in color to each other.
 

[I.S.]

Here is the pics of C. antalyensis subsp. gemicii

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely to have NEW crocuses, not that they're likely to reach this part of the world. But any crocus is a good crocus.