Nottinghamshire

Autumn Crocus (Crocus nudiflorus)

The leafless lilac flowers of Autumn Crocus used to adorn the flood-meadows of the River Trent, and were sold in bunches at market in Nottingham. Probably an escape from monastery gardens, the crocus by chance found a new home in meadows ‘shut-up' from grazing in early autumn to reserve enough grass for the winter months.

Habitat: meadows, planted in towns. Flowers: September-October.

Image © Bob Gibbons/Natural Image