Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

October 2005, Southern Autumn Crocus, Crocus serotinus

This plant is sometimes confused with the saffron producing crocus, Crocus sativus, to which it is related. The only real difference is in the corm covering and the fact that the saffron crocus is sterile.

The leaves appear in spring and nourish the bulb until they die back in summer. Pinkish, purple flowers appear in autumn on long bare stems, between September and December. This specimen was one of many flowering around El Hacho in mid September. It prefers shady cork oak woodland and high (650 - 700 metres) open rocky ground. It is common in our area and also grows in Portugal and North Africa.