Crocus

Cróca
Latin name: Crocus

There are about eighty different varieties of crocuses e.g. spring crocus, early crocus, autumn crocus. They come in a huge range of colours, though the most common ones are lilac, purple, yellow and white. The crocus’ cup-shaped head grows from a narrow, tube-like stem.

Spring crocus
©Jenny Seawright

Spring crocuses are the most common species in Ireland and flower in spring to early summer. These very cheerful flowers usually have white coloured petals with stripes of dark purple. Their tubular stem is also a mauve colour. Altogether, they really are very distinctive little flowers.

Early crocuses also grow in Ireland, though at a different time of year to the spring crocuses. They start peeping out of the ground in late winter to early spring, when their characteristic shades of purple add a burst of life to dull winter days. Unlike the spring crocus, the tube-like stem of the early crocus is white.

Crocuses can live in a wide range of habitats, from scrub to woodlands and meadows.

They are hardy flowers that can withstand frosty nights thanks to an outer waxy protective layer.

Autumn Crocuses

Copyright John Kennedy

Autumn Crocuses
Copyright John Kennedy

Autumn Crocuses

Copyright John Kennedy

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Have you ever seen saffron listed in a recipe?

Well, this very expensive spice is actually obtained from the dried stigmas of the Saffron Crocus, an autumn blooming variety of crocus.

In the Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian Empires saffron was often used as a clothes dye, in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Today it is mainly used as a seasoning in cooking, and is still used in some parts of the world as a clothes dye.

Did you know that it is also used in making perfume?