Notes on recent changes in Crocus species' ID

[I.S.]

In the story of C. tracicus, when I found first location of this crocus. They were almost all speckled and only some specimen white. This time I thought it is C. alexandri.
Than if it was C. alexandri I had to find dark bluish-violet forms but even very long research I couldn’t find even single dark plant. But this time I found another population with much more pale forms almost all were white (very rarely seen just few speckled forms too). There were also C. chrysanthus in this location around half and half.
Than I remember B. Mathew’s theory with high numbers of albino. I tried to find another location. The answer was just 6 km out of this mixed population. In this location there were only C. chrysanthus even not a single albino. This was very surprised for me one side half of population albinos and another side no albinos at all just 6km. between. So Mathew’s theory was out.
Another very interesting observation was made in field by my fried. when he smelled  flowers. We saw that whites were scented and C. chrysanthus were not scented! So we decided that they were not same species.
Than we start to find hybrid samples between. So Sırrı has hardy found one hybrid which is showen in article from quite another different mixed population which I have not visited. But I still think C. tracicus and C. chrysanthus (which occurring in this area) are very conservative to make hybrid. Because till now I couldn’t find any speckled C. chrysanthus in these mixed populations while C. tracicus is mostly speckled.
With my best wishes to all crocus lovers…
ibrahim

[Janis Ruksans]

Ibrahim,
I didn't put under doubt validity of C. thracicus, I only noted problems with separation of it. In original paper are mentioned that alexandri leaves are up to 2.5 mm wide without minimum value. About variability in flower colour you can judge by attached pictures of alexandri from nature - full spectrum including nicely speckled but no one with white rim and I saw hundreds and hundreds of flowers.
I never liked overlapping of dimensions in separating of species, although I sometimes noted that in my species, too.
In any case at present the single permanent feature is blackish tips of basal lobes allowing to identify marginal individuals. Later I will check leaf width of both species. The data used by Yuzbasioglu to characterize alexandri are from literature and includes Greek plants, too.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Than we start to find hybrid samples between. So Sırrı has hardy found one hybrid which is showen in article from quite another different mixed population which I have not visited. But I still think C. tracicus and C. chrysanthus (which occurring in this area) are very conservative to make hybrid. Because till now I couldn’t find any speckled C. chrysanthus in these mixed populations while C. tracicus is mostly speckled.
With my best wishes to all crocus lovers…
ibrahim

Regarding hybrids. As you can see alexandri in some spots is growing side by side with chrysanthus. During two trips there I found only two hybrids between thousands of typical plants.
Near Granitis most of alexandri were white to very light speckled. Near top of Mt. Falakro were more common darker forms but light and white ones were not unusual, too. As I noted - I didn't see any white rimmed flower.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

By Karamplianis & al - Crocus alexandri leaves are only up to 1.5 mm wide - so completely merge with leaves of C. thracicus.
Janis

[I.S.]

Janis,
I have seen in search article on C. alexandri and C. pallidus.  which has made in Serbia 2013.
For C. alexandri leaves written 1.5-2.5mm. wide. and white rim is not so remarkable.

ibrahim