What is Saffron crocus?
Saffron crocus is an autumn-flowering plant whose red stigmas are harvested as a spice.
Structure and life cycle
Form and production: A purplish flower bears three red stigmas, yielding very little spice per bloom, so harvesting is labor-intensive. The plant grows from corms and is mostly propagated by daughter corms. It must not be identified solely by resemblance to other crocuses or ornamentals.
Growth, uses and cautions
Growing and safety: Well-drained soil and a suitable seasonal dry period support cultivation. Saffron adds color and flavor to food; high-dose ingestion differs from culinary use in risk. It must not be confused with poisonous Colchicum plants also called autumn crocus.
Related topics
Plant RootsGrapevineHazelMedicinal and Aromatic PlantsFlower StructureGinger plantPollination in PlantsStone pinePlants of Arid EnvironmentsWalnut treePlant CellsAvocado treePedunculate oakMossesGymnospermsRosemaryLentil plantBay laurelCucumber plantUpland cottonMycorrhiza: Partnerships Between Plants and FungiBanana plantFlaxBread wheatTreesBasilPlant StemsFernsCommon sageTea plantCarnivorous PlantsAngiospermsDate palmArabica coffeePotato plantSesame plantGarlic plantEnglish lavenderSeed Structure and DispersalTurmeric plantVascular PlantsSweet orange treePlant Life CyclesSeed GerminationPepper plantSweet chestnutPhotosynthesisOlive treeOnion plantCommon fig