BOTANY, TAXONOMY AND CYTOLOGY OF CROCUS ALEPPICI AND ITS ALLIES

The genus crocus (family ? iridaceae) contains ca. 150, small, corm bearing, perennial species having an old world distribution, primarily in Mediterranean- Europe, west Asia and west China. These species are highly valuated as ornamental applications. Sub-genus crocus ? crocus aleppici ? series are closely related, and are difficult to be separated taxonomically and have a complex cytology. Botany of crocus aleppici ? series, taxonomy of their species and their infra-specific taxa are presented, and their distribution, ecology and phenology; description and chromosome counts are provided with key to their identification. Key words : Crocus, geographic area, Classification, Chromosome, Cytology, alpine ? series.