Three way split

Crocus caspius up close and personal today.  A species from the Caspian Sea coastal area in Iran, for a long time only known in cultivation from collections made by Admiral Paul Furse over 50 years ago.  In recent times other collections have been made but my seed raised plants most likely derive from the original collection.

Crocus do things in threes.  Three outer petals, three inner ones, three pollen bearing anthers and the style or stigma divides in threes.  This last clearly illustrated today and yesterday.  Three red saffron branches yesterday and three, much shorter yellow ones today.  Crocus caspius is relatively easily grown in UK gardens and survives happily outside without cover.   Increase is mostly by seed and therefore slow.

Basketball and flop for Jamie.  Basketball, flop, allotment, flop for me!