E. pinnatum ssp. pinnatum (Cc. 980084)
This eastern subspecies of E. pinnatum is uncommon in cultivation. Native to the Caspian forests of northern Iran, the late David Barker shared this with us when we visited his garden in Chelmsford, Essex, UK in 1998. Sprays of small, bright lemon-yellow flowers with tiny brown spurs erupt in early spring to 7” beyond the newly emerging foliage. While the flowers are different from ssp. colchicum in having spurs that are half the length, gardeners will notice the difference in plant habit. Generally taller with 9 medium-sized evergreen leaflets per leaf vs. 3-5. Flowers 3/4” in diameter. Leaflets are a clear spring green with a slight rose flush. Spreads by 8” rhizomes. Light red fall color. The earliest of the E. pinnatums to leaf out in spring.
This eastern subspecies of E. pinnatum is uncommon in cultivation. Native to the Caspian forests of northern Iran, the late David Barker shared this with us when we visited his garden in Chelmsford, Essex, UK in 1998. Sprays of small, bright lemon-yellow flowers with tiny brown spurs erupt in early spring to 7” beyond the newly emerging foliage. While the flowers are different from ssp. colchicum in having spurs that are half the length, gardeners will notice the difference in plant habit. Generally taller with 9 medium-sized evergreen leaflets per leaf vs. 3-5. Flowers 3/4” in diameter. Leaflets are a clear spring green with a slight rose flush. Spreads by 8” rhizomes. Light red fall color. The earliest of the E. pinnatums to leaf out in spring.