NOTTINGHAM AUTUMN CROCUS - Crocus nudiflorus

[melodysparks]

Autumn Crocus

Nottingham autumn crocus Crocus nudiflorus is an autumn flowering bulb, native to Southern France and Northern Spain, especially the Pyrenean area, where it is found in meadows and open woodland.

Nottingham spring crocus Crocus vernus is a native of the Balkan region of the former Yugoslavia. In Nottingham, both species of crocus are regarded as ancient introductions, as the plants become naturalised before 1500. Both species have a wide but scattered distribution in the UK. They were probably introduced for medicinal or culinary reasons, and the distribution of both is strongly associated with former Monasteries. It is believed that one use of the plants was to treat malaria, which was endemic in Britain at the time, especially areas of extensive wetlands such as the Trent Valley.
In Nottinghamshire both species were abundant in meadows alongside the Trent, particularly in the Wilford and Dunkirk areas. Due to development in the late Victorian and early 20th Century, many of these meadows were lost. Both species now occur in small-scattered populations, within the cemeteries, parks, golf courses, meadows, old gardens and public open space in this area.

The Nottingham autumn crocus is unusual for species of crocus in that it has underground stems along which new corms are produced. This feature allows identification of the autumn crocus in the non-flowering state. The tall purple flowers are produced in mid August to September, hence its name the autumn crocus, with the leaves appearing the following spring. Flowering decreases as the density of corms increases and therefore, the number of flowering spikes is not a reliable indicator of actual population. It is poisonous to livestock.
The Nottingham spring crocus is genetically variable and the flowers of the naturalised populations are often composed of a range of different colour and combinations of white through to purple. In horticulture, it is known as the Dutch crocus and a number of named varieties have been bred.

  Spring Crocus

Comments

[daisychains1957]

Pretty, wish they were Spring ones though ;p

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

Thank you

I will get some spring ones next time

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

I found some from one of my other pictures

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/melodysparks/5962018995/)

[daisychains1957]

awwww I love spring crocus as they herald better weather to come (well maybe not in the UK these past few years!!). I think i've seen Autumn ones though :)

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

I love crocus too. The autumn ones are appearing in some areas now. During mediaeval times and through to the Industrial Revolution, Nottingham was a huge textile trading centre in the UK. You could find many merchants from European countries settling in Nottingham so it is not surprising crocus bulbs were imported before 1500. They are everywhere in the spring the Victoria embankment here used to be covered in them and daffodils but since the flood defences were put in I dont think we will see so many now.

I grew up in the Meadows area beside the Trent and Victoria Embankment mentioned in my post above (not much effort into naming that area :S) and there were always loads of them but over one hundred years ago before the area was built upon all you saw was flowers and grass it was used to graze livestock. There is a road in the Meadows called Crocus Street.

[daisychains1957]

What a great story and what a shame we now build on much of our countryside with little consideration for the beauty we are destroying!

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

yes it is but its still a nice area a lovely embankment area

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

The Autumnal ones are more delicate and thinner a litle spindly at times but spread like crazy.

[wild7orchid.livejournal.com]

The colours are just remarkable! The green and lilac pierce your mind like arrows in good kind of way. Outstanding work, hon! :))

[melodysparks.livejournal.com]

Thank you sweetie