Crocuses are among the first to appear after winter in the northern hemisphere, letting us know that spring and warmer temperatures are on their way.
Crocus is a genus in the iris family comprising of about 80 species. Many are cultivated for their flowers in autumn, winter, or spring, and for saffron.
Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub and meadows from sea level to alpine tundra in Central and South Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, on the islands of the Aegean, and across Central Asia to western China.
I captured the Tommasini’s crocuses in the botanical garden of the University of Basel three days ago.