C. balansae is easily recognizable and separable from its close relative C. olivieri by its much-branched style that is divided into 12 to 15 branches. During flowering it requires lots of water as in the wild it sometimes grows in spots that get flooded in early spring, but summers there are hot and dry. It is not commercial form but originating from Samos Island in E Aegean Sea, where it is growing together with C. seisumsiana and some autumn blooming crocuses.