Larry wrote
>Crocus sativus has been around 50,000 years. It is a seedless >triploid, like the grapes sold in the US. The plant is unable to >divide 3 sets of chromosomes by 2. Where did the figure 50,000 come from, Larry? I'd readily accept 5,000, though. Crocus sativus is believed to be a triploid sport of C. cartwrightianus, which is a fertile species and can indeed be grown from seed. In fact, it self-sowed readily in my bulb frames. It usually has white flowers with strongly marked veining on the outer tepals, and its style is the same bright scarlet as C. sativus but not so long. I think C. cartwrightianus is widely adaptable in gardens. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA _______________________________________________ Alpine-l mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.science.uu.nl/mailman/listinfo/alpine-l
