Description
(formerly Crocus vernus Krasno Polje and Crocus heuffelianus Krasno Polje, current naming regards this as a form of Crocus exiguus)
In 2014 a wide geographical range of the Crocus vernus complex was studied. As a result there are some newly named species and the re-emergence of many old names, formerly and incorrectly lumped as synonyms under the very broad umbrella name of “Crocus vernus”. We now have the following species names :- exiguus, heuffelianus, ilvensis, neapolitanus, neglectus, siculus and we still retain vernus as a valid name for some plants.
This fine form was originally found in the Velebit Planina of Croatia, at 850 m in 1989. This is a nice dark one, late to flower with lovely deep, rich violet flowers, all of which have a deeper violet tube. This latter feature may not sound notable – it is rarely seen in Crocus but is very beautiful when it is. As well as good colour, this plant has a very hardy temperament.
The plants offered are true to type propagations but when raised from seed, the offspring exhibit a perplexing variation.
