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Bulbous perennial of the Amaryllidaceae family, native to the eastern Mediterranean rim and the Middle East, from the Greek islands and Turkey to Iran and Central Asia. It naturally grows on rocky and stony slopes, dry scrublands, limestone slopes, and olive groves, at altitudes generally ranging from a few dozen meters to about 1,500 meters.
The plant hardly exceeds 10 to 15 cm in height during flowering. The flowers, solitary, bright and vivid yellow, consist of six well-spread oval tepals forming a regular cup, with well-visible golden yellow stamens and style in the center. Their shape immediately evokes a crocus, with which they have no relation, earning the species the common nickname of yellow autumn crocus. The linear leaves, dark green with a slightly glaucous hue, appear simultaneously with the flowers or shortly after.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from September to November. In cultivation, it blooms during the same periods, bringing a touch of bright yellow to a season where colors become scarce.
The plant is protected in several countries of its natural range due to past intensive collection. It has sometimes been mistakenly identified as the Rose of Sharon mentioned in biblical texts.
In cultivation, it requires a sunny, warm, well-drained location, preferably at the foot of a wall or in rock gardens, with summer dryness respected. The bulbs are planted at a shallow depth in summer and should not be disturbed once established.