page_title: Crocus cartwrightianus
hierarchical_section_title: Crocus cartwrightianus
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Détail de la fleur de Crocus cartwrightianus 'Albus' montrant les longs stigmates rouges
context_page_description: Crocus cartwrightianus is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, native to mainland Greece and Crete. It is a cormous perennial growing to 5 cm. The flowers, in shades of lilac or white with purple veins and prominent red stigmas, appear with the leaves in autumn and winter.
  The Latin specific epithet cartwrightianus refers to the 19th century British Consul to Constantinople, John Cartwright.
  C. cartwrightianus is the presumed wild progenitor of the domesticated triploid Crocus sativus – the saffron crocus.
  Although some doubts remain on its origin, it is believed that saffron originated in Iran. However, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible region of origin of this plant.
  This species is commonly found growing on limestone soil areas of the Attica Peninsula of Greece. There is evidence that this plant was cultivated in ancient Crete at least as early as the Middle Minoan Period, as exhibited by a mural, the "Saffron Gatherer", illustrating the gathering of crocuses.
  This plant, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
context_section_description: Crocus cartwrightianus is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, native to mainland Greece and Crete. It is a cormous perennial growing to 5 cm (2 in). The flowers, in shades of lilac or white with purple veins and prominent red stigmas, appear with the leaves in autumn and winter.
  The Latin specific epithet cartwrightianus refers to the 19th century British Consul to Constantinople, John Cartwright.
  C. cartwrightianus is the presumed wild progenitor of the domesticated triploid Crocus sativus – the saffron crocus. 
  Although some doubts remain on its origin, it is believed that saffron originated in Iran. However, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible region of origin of this plant.
  This species is commonly found growing on limestone soil areas of the Attica Peninsula of Greece. There is evidence that this plant was cultivated in ancient Crete at least as early as the Middle Minoan Period, as exhibited by a mural, the "Saffron Gatherer", illustrating the gathering of crocuses.
  This plant, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
caption: C. cartwrightianus 'Albus'
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