A large genus of about ninety species, as well as numerous forms and hybrids. These little bulbous plants originate from Europe, Northern Africa and temperate Asia. They can be divided into Spring and Autumn flowering groups, their foliage is grass-like and usually has a silver central stripe. The corms are replaced each year, the growing season using up all the stored energy of the corm, whilst making a new corm for their next seasonal growth. [FS, DR, FH] |