Common name:
Sand crocus
Family:
Scientific name:
Romulea columnae
Main flower color:
Range:
Only at Dawlish Warren in Devon, near Polruan in Cornwall, and in the Channel Islands
Height:
Up to 4 cm
Habitat:
Cliffs and short, sandy grassland, beside the coast
Flowers:
Six pale purple, equally-sized petals, pointed at the tip, crossed by a dark midvein and a pair of lighter lateral veins; up to 10 mm in diameter. Sometimes more uniformly darker purple, or pink. Greenish-yellow at the centre. Usually solitary; occasionally in pairs. There are three stamens, topped by yellow anthers
Leaves:
Linear, up to 10 cm long and 2 mm wide, curly and somewhat wiry, growing from the base
Season:
March to May
Rarity:
★★★★★
