Descriptors for Crocus (Crocus spp.)

These Descriptors have been developed within the framework of the EU funded Programme AGRI GEN RES, (Action 018, www.crocusbank.org), coordinated by the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). One of the main achievements of this Programme has been the creation of the World Saffron and Crocus Collection, maintained by the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca, which belongs to the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla – La Mancha (Spain). The coordination of the development of the list has been carried out by Prof. Rosa V. Molina and her Plant Physiology Research Group at the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain). They have developed a preliminary list of descriptors based on evaluation studies carried out on saffron and Crocus accessions and taking into account taxonomic criteria for this genus. Other organizations such as the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Agricultural University of Athens (Greece), the University of Leicester (United Kingdom) and the University of Catania (Italy) have also provided valuable scientific contributions. The scientific overview of this document was provided by Stefano Padulosi and the technical advice and overall management of the Descriptors, by Adriana Alercia, both from Bioversity International.Conservation of saffron and allies is particularly concerning because of the shrinking of their populations both in the wild and in cultivated areas. In this regard, the descriptors developed for these species represent a valuable instrument for a better comprehension of these dwindling resources in support of their enhanced conservation and use and following the international agreed protocol of Bioversity International.