What is the scientific name of the saffron crocus?

The scientific name of the saffron crocus is Crocus sativus. This autumn-flowering plant belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae, and its crimson stigmas are harvested to make the spice saffron.

Crocus sativus grows from an underground corm and usually reaches about 10 to 30 centimeters in height. Its purple flowers contain three red-orange stigmas, which are carefully removed and dried. Because each flower produces only three stigmas, saffron harvesting is highly labor-intensive and the spice is exceptionally valuable.

The plant is a sterile triploid with 24 chromosomes, so it cannot reproduce normally through sexual reproduction. It is propagated by dividing its corms. Genetic research indicates that domesticated saffron most likely arose from Crocus cartwrightianus in southern Greece, although saffron’s ancient history spans many cultures and regions.

A common mix-up is autumn crocus, a name also used for Colchicum autumnale. Colchicums are unrelated, have six stamens rather than three, and are toxic. The true saffron crocus is correctly identified as Crocus sativus.