Description
The main difference in this subspecies is the larger flowers, compared to the type subspecies. The blooms, at 9 mm long, are indeed the biggest of all pulchellum forms.
I love this subspecies for the most conspicuous contrast of the tuft of soft sky-blue sterile flowers and the huge, blackish, fertile flowers lower down the flowering stem.
This was originally collected from the exact, type locality in Naxos, in the Cyclades. I cannot say for sure if all forms are the same but it is noticeable that this particular accession is very early flowering, opening some 2-3 weeks prior to others and additionally the scapes at some 20 cm are much taller, at the peak of flowering. Sun, loam and summer dryness.