Description
This has large flowers. These are red but are overlaid with a warm chestnut-brown colour with pointed, slightly reflexed segments and a warm yellow centre. Each petal has a black spot. The anthers and pollen are both purple-black.
Originally collected by Monsieur P. Delaigue of Pont de Chéruy in S.E. France: Dept. Savoye near St.-Jean-de-Maurienne on 24.4.1960. Plants received from Alain Richert in 1983. This species has now been obliterated in the wild to provide skiers with accommodation. Fortunately it was established in cultivation where it is easy in the garden and where it flowers reliably each May.
