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RE: A Small Fall-flowering Crocus
Wait @haphazard-hstead, isn't the real Saffron (Crocus sativus) growing in spring, not in autumn? Be careful to make sure it's not Colchicum autumnale
Wait @haphazard-hstead, isn't the real Saffron (Crocus sativus) growing in spring, not in autumn? Be careful to make sure it's not Colchicum autumnale
The true Saffron crocus, Crocus sativus, is an autumn flowering crocus. The Colchicum autumnale also flowers in the autumn, but it is in a completely different plant family. It's much bigger than a real crocus, although it does have a common name of "meadow saffron". But your caution is well-placed, for sure, because the Colchicum contains the powerful chemical, colchicine, and none of it should be used for saffron! Some people might also know the Colchicum as "naked ladies", because the flowers emerge before the vegetation, like these real crocus.
The Portland Botanical Society has a great website that lists and described the many spring- and fall-blooming crocus. There sure are a lot of them! I'm glad I planted some of the real Saffron crocus a few years ago.
Wow, just wow... Thank you so much for everything! So the leaves are a sure sign it is not Colchicum, btw... Your macrophotography is awesome, we've got a similar style. The link you gave me is awesome (and just entered my permacultural digital library), thank, thank, thank you!