Bulbous perennial of the Iridaceae family, this subspecies is native to a large part of the mountains of central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians and the Balkans, passing through the Alps and the Apennines. It occupies subalpine meadows, high-altitude lawns, and the edges of snow hollows, generally between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.
It is one of the largest and most robust crocuses of the genus in Europe. The flowers, ample and upright, display broad and rounded tepals, in varying shades depending on the populations: pure white, pale lilac, medium violet, or deep purple, sometimes veined or striped. The throat is generally white and the anthers bright yellow. The foliage, which develops alongside the flowers, presents upright, narrow, dark green leaves, marked with the typical silver median line of crocuses.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from March to May depending on the altitude, immediately after the snow melts, sometimes accompanied by Soldanella and Gentiana verna. In cultivation in the plains, it occurs from February to March.
It requires well-drained, rather poor soil, in full sun, and perfectly tolerates the cold. It readily naturalizes in alpine character lawns and rock gardens. It is the direct ancestor of the large cultivated Dutch crocuses, to which it has transmitted vigor and floral amplitude.