Crocus Speciosus

Elothir

Hello, 

Possibly a slightly too cautious post but oh well, but just a bit confused.

I've been given some spare 'Autumn Crocus' bulbs to plant (specifically: https://www.peternyssen.com/autumn-planting/autumn-flowering-crocuses/speciosus-conqueror.html ) and I just wanted to clarify that before planting anything as I can find a few references in some places stating that 'Autumn Crocus' which is what this is called on other sites like the RHS and on P Nyssen means it's a Colchicum whilst 'Autumn Flowering Crocus' means the true Crocuses?

To further complicate matters, some places essentially treat it as all 'Autumn Crocuses' are Colchicums (with the accompanying highly toxic warnings) whilst others make this distinction between Colchicums and Crocuses-that just happen to flower in autumn.

Ladybird4

Autumn crocuses are Colchicums and are members of the Lily family. The crocuses that flower in the Spring are the true crocuses and are members of the Iris family.

Dovefromabove

Yes colchicum (naked ladies/naked boys) are known as ‘autumn flowering crocuses’ but are not true crocuses. 

However @Elothir has been given Crocus speciosus which are another type of ‘autumn flowering crocus’ 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/4941/Crocus-speciosus/Details
and they are in the crocus family. 
 

Silver surfer

I agree with Dove.
Autumn crocus  can be either true Crocus sp or Colchicum sp
There are several sp of Crocus that are autumn flowering.
Crocus speciosa is one that flowers in the autumn.
Crocus are in Iridaceae.