Saffron
ExplorePlants
Saffron
Crocus sativus
Saffron is a special spice that comes from the flower of a plant. It has a bright red color and a delicious smell. People use saffron to add flavor and color to their food.
Habitat: Mediterranean regions
Appearance
The Saffron plant has delicate, vibrant purple or lilac cup-shaped flowers. Inside each blossom, three striking crimson-red stigmas dramatically contrast with three bright yellow anthers, making it easily recognizable.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyIridaceaeGenusCrocus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient pharaohs used saffron as a royal perfume and even as medicine!
Each delicate purple flower produces only three tiny, precious red threads.
Saffron is the world's most expensive spice, costing more than silver by weight!
This plant doesn't grow wild; it needs people to cultivate it to survive.
Special abilities
Ability
Beacon for Bees
Saffron has vivid purple petals and bright red stigmas that powerfully attract essential insect pollinators.
Ability
Underground Survival
Saffron has underground corms, like small bulbs, that store energy to survive cold winters and regrow each year.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-20 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Bees collect nectar and pollen from its flowers.
eats
black slug
Arion ater
Slugs may feed on the plant's leaves and corms.
eats
common vole
Microtus arvalis
Voles can consume the plant's underground corms.
Traits
Dye
This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Spice
This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Crocus sativus
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Saffron is safe to use in cooking but should only be handled by adults due to its high value and the delicate process of harvesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Saffron?
10-30 cm
How wide does Saffron spread?
10-20 cm
How big are the flowers on Saffron?
3-5 cm
When does Saffron bloom?
Fall
Is Saffron edible?
Yes
Is Saffron toxic?
Mild
What is Saffron's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Saffron pollinated?
Insect
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