Stinzen's Early-Spring Glory. Woodland Crocus, Crocus tommasinianus, Frankendael, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In his fine description (1847) of this pretty Crocus, William Herbert (1778-1847) in England writes that it was first discovered by his 'highly-esteemed friend' Muzio Giuseppe Spirito de' Tommasini (1794-1879), one-time mayor of Trieste. Apparently the mayor found time to climb the rugged, bare Biokovo Mountains for Herbert says that the flower was 'found wild in naked mountainous places in Dalmatia'. He had, however, not received any specimens from Tommasini. An acquaintance - he's careful not to write 'friend' and keeps a bit of distance - 'Professor Petter', who taught German in Spalatro (Split, today in Croatia), had sent him the plant. He's Franz Petter (1798-1853), who spent his free time collecting plants. This Crocus's introduction to western Europe (England and The Netherlands) is generally dated from 1847. In The Netherlands - especially in Friesland - it's noted as a stinzenplant, that is to say that it's commonly found in the grounds of stately manors, indeed, such as Frankendael. The Dutch name is Boerenkrokus, Farmers' Crocus.
So here's an example of a Crocus that was not first introduced to Europe by Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq (1522-1592) (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/2300762720/in/photolis...).
Stinzen's Early-Spring Glory. Woodland Crocus, Crocus tommasinianus, Frankendael, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In his fine description (1847) of this pretty Crocus, William Herbert (1778-1847) in England writes that it was first discovered by his 'highly-esteemed friend' Muzio Giuseppe Spirito de' Tommasini (1794-1879), one-time mayor of Trieste. Apparently the mayor found time to climb the rugged, bare Biokovo Mountains for Herbert says that the flower was 'found wild in naked mountainous places in Dalmatia'. He had, however, not received any specimens from Tommasini. An acquaintance - he's careful not to write 'friend' and keeps a bit of distance - 'Professor Petter', who taught German in Spalatro (Split, today in Croatia), had sent him the plant. He's Franz Petter (1798-1853), who spent his free time collecting plants. This Crocus's introduction to western Europe (England and The Netherlands) is generally dated from 1847. In The Netherlands - especially in Friesland - it's noted as a stinzenplant, that is to say that it's commonly found in the grounds of stately manors, indeed, such as Frankendael. The Dutch name is Boerenkrokus, Farmers' Crocus.
So here's an example of a Crocus that was not first introduced to Europe by Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq (1522-1592) (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/2300762720/in/photolis...).