What is a Crocus?
Crocus is a large genus of plants in the iris family. These plants reproduce using corms, structures similar in nature to bulbs and rhizomes, and they are probably most famous for their early blooming habit. The appearance of crocuses marks the end of winter in many communities, with these showy and small bulbs appearing as early as a month after the winter solstice in some regions of the world. In addition to being welcome guests in the garden, crocuses are also very easy to grow, making them very popular with gardeners. The leaves of the crocus are grass-like, typically marked with a pale stripe which runs down the center of the leaf. The flowers come in an array of colors including white, purple, and yellow, with some flowers being bicolored or variegated. Typically, the flowers form deep trumpets, with bright yellow stamens. The bright color often stands out vividly in the garden, since most other foliage is dormant when crocuses start blooming. One species of crocus, C. sativus, i
