CROCUS ALBIFLORUS Crocus





Again I have difficulties for exact identification of this particular variety . Found coastal area of Blacksea around Istanbul and planted in pot in my terrace . My guess is Crocus Albiflorus (Spring Crocus) . White midrib is very indicative characteristic of it.. İnfact the one I am demonstrating here has a faint white midrib .There is also Autumn Crocus (Crocus Nudiflorus)leaves appear in spring and die before flowers appear in October.More than 40 different crocuses species can be found in Turkey . İt is a very popular plant and its Turkish name (Cigdem) is given to girls very often..Seed propagation is a tedious process. They can be collected before the capsule splits and immediately sow in cold frames .They stay there two years before planting out. So it needs lots of patient. That reminds me Digitalis and its tiny seeds. That also requires two long year to bloom..But I can tell.. it worths to see Digitalis blooming. In Turkey corms of certain varieties can be added to dishes. According to Dr. Turhan Baytop , corms of Crocus Cancellatus ,C. Chrysanthus , C. Kotschyanus are edible . Latter one is specifically used for rice dish (crocus rice) .




Some villages of Safranbolu grow Crocus Sativum for Saffron . Production is very limitted for local use. It was also mentioned in Old Testament , name of Crocus can be seen some of Homer's writing too..So its use extended into old history of Asia Minor.Plinus , Dioskurides , Serapion , Ibn Sına , Paracelsus and Lonicerus used crocus for various health disorders.. So it is a very famous plant..And it is on my terrace... how nice ...Because of its popularity its flowers were very expensive and people who fake this plant with smiliar ones punished by death penalty by Nurnberg Courts.And final note ..in order to distinguish Jewish people from christian in old Europe Jews used to wear Saffron Yellow hats.World changed a lot isnt it?Comments are welcome .
Pictures are taken by Cemil Yavuz Oncelay . if you use them please give this page as referance.Excellent account of Crocus species can be review in following addresshttp://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus

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