Saffron Crocus

Crocus sativus

Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus or autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae. A cormous autumn-flowering cultivated perennial, unknown in the wild, it is best known for the culinary use of its floral stigmas as the spice saffron. Human cultivation of saffron crocus and the trade and use of saffron have endured for more than 3,500 years and span different cultures, continents, and civilizations.

Saffron

Saffron is a spice derived from the sterile autumn-blooming flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles are collected and dried for use mainly as a food seasoning and colourant. Saffron crocus was slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and later brought to parts of North Africa, North America, even as far as Fiji in Oceania by its Indian migrant descendant population.

Crocus

Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms.

Saffron (color)

Saffron is a shade of yellow or orange, the colour of the tip of the saffron crocus thread, from which the spice saffron is derived. The hue of the spice saffron is primarily due to the carotenoid chemical crocin.

saffron crocus

Noun

1. A crocus, specifically Crocus sativus, which bears bright red stigmas in its flowers that are the source of saffron).