Sand Crocus "Romulea columnae", rare flower in Cornwall

​We're quite lucky to be living in Cornwall. We are surrounded by spectacular and picturesque scenery as well as amazing and diverse flora and fauna, in which some of them are even rare.

On 12 April 2022, me and my husband Rob went to Lantic Bay area to search for the rare Sand Crocus Romulea columnae. We're so delighted to find this rare beauty and saw more than 15++ flowers. The weather is cloudy, murky, misty with a bit of sunny spell that's why I was able to take a few shots of the flowers with its petals open.

The Sand Crocus Romulea columnae was found growing on the clifftop in Lantic Bay area in 1879 and 1881. There's been a few searches for this rare flower but it was not seen again until 2002. The only other site to see this rare flower is on Dawlish Warren in Devon and in the Channel Islands.

I'm really delighted and pleased to have seen and photograph this rare and gorgeous flower.

​Sand Crocus Romulea columnae,
seen and photograph in Lantic Bay area by Rowena Castillo-Nicholls

​● Common Name: Sand Crocus

● Scientific Name: Romulea columnae

● Family: Iris (Iridaceae)

● Main Flower Color: Purple

● Range: Only at Lantic Bay in Cornwall, Dawlish Warren in Devon and in the Channel Islands.

● Height: up to 4 cm

● Habitat: Cliffs and short, sandy grassland, beside the coast.

● Flowers: Six pale purple, equally-sized petals, pointed at the tip, crossed by a dark midvein and a pair of lighter lateral veins; up to 10 mm in diameter. Sometimes more uniformly darker purple, or pink. Greenish-yellow at the centre. Usually solitary; occasionally in pairs. There are three stamens, topped by yellow anthers.

● Leaves: Linear, up to 10 cm long and 2 mm wide, curly and somewhat wiry, growing from the base.

● Season: March to May

● ​Rarity: ★★★★★