Crocus tommasinianus aka Woodland Crocus

Crocus tommasinianus, also known as the woodland crocus, early crocus, or Tommasini's crocus, is a flower named after Muzio G. Spirito de Tommasini, a botanist. This species is native to Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, and the former Yugoslavia. It is often referred to as the early or snow crocus, as it is one of the first crocuses to bloom. In the horticultural trade, it is commonly called "tommies." This cormous perennial grows to a height of 8-10cm and has tufted green leaves with a central silvery-white stripe. Its cyclamen-pink flowers, silvery on the outside, feature orange stigmas and stamens. They appear from late winter to spring, providing an early source of pollen for honeybees. Native to hillsides and woodland areas in southern Hungary and the northern Balkans, Crocus tommasinianus is often referred to as the snow crocus due to its early blooming nature. Its long-tubed, goblet-shaped flowers range from pale lavender to reddish-purple and have white throats. Blooming before Dutch hybrid crocuses, this species typically flowers in March in St. Louis. Each plant has 3-5 basal, narrow, linear leaves when it blooms. The flowers close at night and open in the morning, but they usually remain closed on rainy or cloudy days. Overall, Crocus tommasinianus is a beautiful and early-blooming species of crocus that adds color to gardens and provides valuable pollen for honeybees.