Crocus sativus is the plant species that produces saffron, the world’s most expensive spice by weight.
Saffron consists of the dried red stigmas of this sterile, autumn-flowering crocus. Each flower normally has three stigmas, so harvesting requires collecting flowers by hand and carefully removing the stigmas before drying them.
Crocus sativus is a triploid plant, meaning it has three sets of chromosomes. Because it cannot produce fertile seeds, it is propagated by planting corms. Its exact wild ancestor remains uncertain, although Crocus cartwrightianus is widely considered closely related.
Saffron crocus is not the same as spring crocuses grown mainly for decoration. The name saffron also refers to the dried spice, while turmeric is a different plant and supplies a yellow-orange color but not saffron’s characteristic aroma.