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Crocus chrysanthus Herb.

611 (7). C. chrysanthus Herb. Journ. Hort. Soc, II (1847) 385; C. sulphureus Grisb. Spic. Fl. Rum. Bith. II (1844) 373; Hayek Prodr. Fl. Penins. Balc. III (4933) 114 — Златистоцветен минзухар

Fam: Iridaceae Lindl.
Genus: Crocus L.
Species: Crocus chrysanthus Herb.
English Name: Snow crocus, Golden crocus

Description:

Perennials. Tuber-bulb almost spherical, shell consisting of solid leather flakes, degraded in the lower part of the ring segments. Overhead part with blossoms 10 - 12 cm. The leaves 5 - 8, narrowly linear, with wide keel; (1/3 of the lamina), ciliates short, develop together with the blossoms. Spatha consists of two leaves, longer than the leaf sheaths, leads to the spreading of the perianth. Blossoms 1 - 3, golden yellow, rarely lemon or white. Perianth free cloth at the opening of the tube. Stamens with yellow anthers and stems, the first two times longer. Stigmas 3, red, rolled and protrude slightly above the anthers. Seeds oblong, on the surface with short like bristles growths, raspberry red.

volatility

var. albidus G. Maw. Synops. Gen. Crocus: in Gard. Chron. New. Ser. Vol. XVI (1881) 722. The shares of perianth white with yellowish base. Northeastern Bulgaria, Sofia.

From „Флора на НР България”, том II, БАН, София, (1964)

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Crocus chrysanthus (snow crocus, golden crocus) is a species of flowering plant of the Crocus genus in the family Iridaceae. Native to the Balkans and Turkey, it bears vivid orange-yellow bowl-shaped flowers. It has smaller corms and a smaller flower than the giant Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus), although it produces more flowers per bulb than the latter. Its common name, "snow crocus", derives from its exceptionally early flowering period, blooming about two weeks before the giant crocus, and often emerging through the snow in late winter or early spring. The leaves are narrow with a silver central stripe. Height: 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm).[1]
The Latin specific epithet chrysanthus means "golden-flowered".[2]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Snow Crocus

There are about 30 different species of crocuses that are raised commercially. Other than the Giant Dutch Crocuses, probably the three most commonly available species are the Crocus chrysanthus, Crocus sieberi, and the Crocus tommasinianus.
You may never actually come across these Latin botanical names, just the name of the particular variety (for example "Cream Beauty" or "Violet Queen"), which is just fine. However, for those who are interested, I am going to deal with them species by species:

Crocus chrysanthus

This species of crocus, which grows wild in places like Greece, has smaller bulbs and, therefore, smaller flowers than the Giant Dutch Crocuses. However, it produces more flowers per bulb than the Dutch Crocus, and (like the other Snow Crocuses) typically blooms about 2 weeks earlier than the Dutch Crocus.
Although your nursery may only carry one or two varieties of Crocus chrysanthus (such as "Cream Beauty"), there are actually a dozen different varieties that are easily available through mail order or on-line catalogs. You might start at: Brent and Becky's Bulbs, McClure & Zimmerman, or Botanus. All are very easy to grow and will naturalize (i.e. come back year after year and slowly multiply) extremely easily.

From www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-16602465 “The Plant List”

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Flowering Time: Blooms: II - V.

References: „Флора на НР България”, том II, БАН, София, (1964), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-16602465 “The Plant List”

Distribution in Bulgaria: Grow in grassy places around shrubs, Northeast, Southwest and South Bulgaria. It grows over 1000 meters altitude. (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.

Distribution: Balkan Peninsula, Asia Minor.

Conservation status and threats: not protected species in Bulgaria by the Biodiversity Law. - Biological Diversity Act - http://eea.government.bg/bg/legislation/biodiversity/zbran_22.08.15.pdf

Medical plant: yes, it is. Medicinal Plants Act - http://eea.government.bg/bg/legislation/biodiversity/ZLR_en.pdf

E-mail: krnanev@gmail.com

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