Description
A recent introduction of a new, winter-flowering species so far known only from one small area of Southern Greece in the Peloponnese. (a paper about the naming is here)
The small, soboliferous corms make good increase so that it has become available reasonably quickly from cultivated stocks ( traceable to the Botanical Gardens at Gothenburg ) soon after its discovery.
This is a true winter-flowering species – not a precocious snow-melt plant. It reaches the peak of its flowering in December but carries on into February. It produces 3-4, thin trailing, channelled, almost crocus-like leaves 2-5 mm wide, yes, just mm wide! These are born with the flowers and you can expect 1-2 flowers per corm, (exceptionally 3 in cultivation). These open white but soon shade to palest pink, there are contrasting anthers, which are black before they are ripe, but which burst open when they ripen to reveal bright, chrome-yellow pollen. The whole is strongly scented of honey.
A sunny, well drained spot is suitable, or a pot as it is not a huge plant, but this presents no difficulties in a well-drained, loam-based compost. It is ideal in a pan where the corms can gently increase underground.
