Grecian Crocus Crocus goulimyi subsp. goulimyi 'Mani White'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Crocus goulimyi subsp. goulimyi 'Mani White', commonly referred to as Mani White Crocus, is a perennial flowering plant that displays an enchanting appearance. Its blossoms are notable for their pure white color, which gives the plant an innocent and delicate charm. The flowers, shaped like narrow cups, open to reveal a gentle curve of six petal-like segments that often have a slight flare at the tips, adding to the flower's beauty. The center of the flower is graced with contrasting bright orange or yellow stamens, creating an eye-catching focal point amidst the white petals. These stamens add a touch of warmth to the cool white blooms and attract pollinators to the plant. The flower emerges from the ground, cradled by slender, grass-like leaves that may feature a silver-grey stripe down the center. This adds textured visual interest and contrasts with the softness of the blossoms. The leaves of the Mani White Crocus are typically glossy, contributing to the plant's fresh and vibrant appearance. Overall, the elegance of the pure white flowers in conjunction with the refreshing green of the foliage makes the Mani White Crocus a striking addition to any garden where it is planted, bringing an early splash of brightness before many other plants have awakened from their winter slumber.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Mani White Crocus, Goulimy's Crocus.
- Common names
  Crocus goulimyi subsp. goulimyi 'Mani White'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Crocus plants can be toxic if ingested. They contain compounds such as colchicine that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. More severe poisoning can result in respiratory failure, acute kidney failure, and even death if not treated promptly. Hence, care should be taken to avoid consuming any part of crocus plants.
- To pets
  Crocus plants are also toxic to pets. If ingested by an animal, such as a dog or cat, they can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potentially severe gastrointestinal upset. In high doses, ingestion can lead to more serious conditions such as liver and kidney damage, seizures, and even death. Pet owners should take measures to prevent their animals from eating any part of these plants.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  4 inches (10 cm)
- Spread
  3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Greece

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds visual interest to gardens with its unique white blooms.
- Early Spring Blooming: One of the first flowers to bloom, providing early spring color.
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for beginners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can withstand periods of low water once established, which is beneficial for water conservation.
- Cold Hardy: Resilient to cold weather, it can survive in cooler climates without much protection.
- Compact Size: Due to its small size, it is ideal for rock gardens, borders, or small spaces.
- Naturalizing: Capable of self-seeding and spreading, which can create a more organic garden design.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Photographic subjects: The striking 'Mani White' crocus, with its pure white petals, makes an excellent subject for photographers, especially macro specialists seeking to capture the delicate details of flowers.
- Wedding décor: Its white blossoms can be used to create elegant and natural wedding decorations, such as table centerpieces or boutonnieres.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the 'Mani White' crocus as a muse for paintings, drawings, and other forms of botanical art.
- Educational tool: Botany educators can use this subspecies to teach students about the crocus's life cycle, including corm development and bloom timing.
- Fragrance extraction: Though not a traditional use for crocuses, the petals of 'Mani White' could potentially be used in the creation of floral waters or perfumes.
- Culinary garnish: The petals of 'Mani White' crocus can add a decorative touch to salads and desserts, although they are not known for flavor.
- Hobby gardening: This crocus variety can offer a sense of achievement and joy to hobby gardeners aiming to cultivate rare or unique plants.
- Cold stratification demonstrations: The requirement of 'Mani White' crocus bulbs for a cold period before flowering can provide a practical example for teaching stratification techniques.
- DIY crafts: Pressed 'Mani White' crocus flowers can be used in crafting personalized bookmarks, greeting cards, or phone case decorations.
- Therapeutic horticulture: The process of planting and nurturing 'Mani White' crocus can be used in therapeutic horticulture settings to promote well-being and relaxation.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Crocus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: The Crocus, often one of the first flowers to emerge in late winter or early spring, symbolizes hope and the promise of new beginnings.
- Cheerfulness: Its bright colors bring joy and cheerfulness, thus symbolizing happiness and positivity in the face of challenges.
- Youthful Gladness: Crocuses are associated with youth and glee, often representing gladness and the carefree joy of youth.
- Renewal: As a herald of spring, crocuses convey the theme of renewal, rebirth, and the cycle of life.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
For the Autumn Crocus, watering should be moderate during the spring and fall when the plant is actively growing. Generally, watering once a week is suitable, providing about one inch of water each time, depending on the weather and soil conditions. During the summer, when the plant is dormant, watering should be reduced significantly, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It's critical to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to bulb rot. Provide a thorough soaking that reaches the roots, but make sure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Light
The Autumn Crocus thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area where it receives morning sunlight and is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. However, it is quite adaptable and can tolerate a range of light conditions, making it versatile for various garden settings.
Temperature
The Autumn Crocus does well in a range of temperatures, favoring conditions that mimic its Mediterranean origin. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit when planted in the ground and well-established. The ideal temperature range for active growth is between 35 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while during dormancy in the summer, it can withstand higher temperatures as long as the bulbs are not in moist soil.
Pruning
Pruning for the Autumn Crocus is generally not necessary since it naturally dies back after flowering and during the summer dormancy period. However, it is beneficial to remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to maintain the plant's appearance and to prevent potential disease. The best time for any cleanup is after the foliage has died back naturally in late spring or early summer.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Mani White Crocus prefers well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss, and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Repotting
Mani White Crocus often does not require frequent repotting, and it can typically be done every 3-4 years or when the bulbs multiply and become crowded.
Humidity & Misting
Mani White Crocus thrives in outdoor humidity levels and does not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light and cool temperatures.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to part shade.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life of the Crocus goulimyi subsp. goulimyi 'Mani White', commonly known as Grecian Windflower, starts as a corm, which is a swollen underground storage organ. In the autumn, the corm sends up slender, tube-like leaves and white, cup-shaped flowers with three stigmas and three anthers. After flowering, the plant undergoes photosynthesis and stores energy in the corm for the next season. During late spring, the foliage dies back as the plant enters dormancy to survive the summer drought typical of its native Mediterranean climate. The corm remains dormant throughout the summer, then the cycle repeats with new growth in the following autumn. The corm also produces offsets, which can be separated from the parent to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring
- The Crocus goulimyi subsp. goulimyi 'Mani White', also known as the 'Mani White' Autumn Crocus, is commonly propagated by dividing its corms. The best time to undertake this process is in summer, when the plant is dormant. To propagate, carefully dig up the corms and gently separate any offsets from the parent corm. Each offset should have a portion of the basal plate to ensure successful rooting. These offsets can be replanted immediately, setting them about 3 to 4 inches deep (approximately 7.5 to 10 cm) and at least 3 inches apart (around 7.5 cm) to give them room to grow. It's important to choose a well-draining site since standing water can rot the corms. With proper care, these offsets will develop into mature flowering plants within a couple of seasons.