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Spring Crocus

Crocus vernus

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameSpring Crocus

DescriptionCheerful early spring bulb that blooms while snow still on ground. Cup-shaped flowers in purple, yellow, white, or striped. One of first flowers of spring, often blooming February-March. Grows from corms (bulb-like structures). Perfect for naturalizing in lawns, rock gardens, under trees. Deer and squirrel resistant. Easy to grow, multiplies freely. Related to saffron crocus but not used for spice.

FamilyIridaceae

GenusCrocus

TribeIxieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ P3+3 A3 G(3)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, perianth of 6 tepals in 2 whorls (3+3, all petal-like), 3 stamens, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Typical of Iridaceae family

Features

Name 'Crocus' from Greek 'krokos' (saffron). About 90 Crocus species. C. vernus (spring crocus) most common garden type. Related to C. sativus (saffron crocus) but doesn't produce saffron spice. Dutch Crocus are larger hybrids. Called 'harbinger of spring' - blooms earliest. Squirrels usually ignore (unlike tulips)
Flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall, cup or goblet-shaped. 6 petals (actually tepals) in purple, lavender, yellow, white, or striped. Orange stigmas in center. Blooms late winter-early spring (February-April) depending on climate. Each corm produces 1-3 flowers. Flowers close at night and on cloudy days, open in sun
Herbaceous perennial growing from corms (swollen underground stems, not true bulbs). Narrow grass-like leaves 4-6 inches long with white stripe down center. Leaves appear with or after flowers. Foliage dies back by early summer. Dormant summer-fall. Multiplies by producing new corms (cormlets)
Grows 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) tall in bloom. Spread 2-3 inches per corm. Lifespan 3-5 years per corm, but multiplies to form colonies lasting decades. Propagated by cormlets (separate and replant) or seed. Plant corms 3-4 inches deep in fall. Naturalizes easily
Native to central and southern Europe - Alps, Pyrenees, Balkans. Found in mountain meadows, woodlands at 3,000-6,000 feet elevation. Now cultivated worldwide in temperate zones. Thrives in cool climates. Naturalized in parts of North America
Requires full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours sun). Needs well-drained soil - corms rot if too wet. Plant in fall (September-November) for spring bloom. Cold hardy - needs winter chill to bloom. Hardy zones 3-8. Tolerates poor soil. Very low maintenance once established
Excellent for naturalizing in lawns (can mow after foliage yellows), rock gardens, under deciduous trees, borders, containers. One of earliest nectar sources for bees. Deer and squirrel resistant (bitter taste). Chipmunks may dig corms. Provides cheerful color when little else blooming. Symbolizes youthful gladness, cheerfulness
Plant corms 3-4 inches deep, pointed end up, in fall. Space 3-4 inches apart or plant in drifts for natural look. Allow foliage to die back naturally (feeds corm for next year). Fertilize lightly in fall. Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years. Very easy - plant and forget. Multiplies freely

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCrocus vernus

English (Alternate)Dutch Crocus, Giant Crocus, Early Crocus, Golden Crocus, Tommasini's Crocus

Hindiक्रोकस (Krokas), केसर का पौधा (Kesar ka paudha), केसर (Kesar)

Tamilகுரோகஸ் (Crocus), குங்கமப்பூ (Kuṅkamappū)

Teluguకుంకుమ పువ్వు (Kumkuma puvvu)

Malayalamക്രോകസ് (Krokas)

Kannadaಕುಂಕುಮ ಕೇಸರಿ (Kumkuma kesari)

Sanskritकुकुमम् (kukumam)

Bengaliক্রোকাস (Crocus), কেশর (keshar)

Frenchun crocus

Russianкрокус (krokus), шафран (shaffron)

Spanishazafrán de primavera, croco

GermanKrokus

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.