01.
A Bit of Botany
a little botanical information on saffron
description
The spice saffron is derived from the flower (specifically the stigmas and
styles) of Crocus sativus. Crocus sativus is commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a
genus in the family Iridaceae.
Saffron crocus grows to a height of 8 to 12 inches (20–30 cm). To protect the plants
true leaves it will sprout white and non-photosynthetic leaves known as cataphylls. These are membrane-like structures
cover the crocus's 5-11 actual leaves as they bud and develop. The actual leaves are blade-like green foliage and are thin, straight, and approximately 1–3 mm
in diameter.
In autumn, purple buds appear and it takes until October, after most other
flowering plants have released their seeds, for the crocus' brilliantly hued flowers
develop. When they do flower the plants average less than a foot in height. At this time their color will range from a light pastel shade of lilac to a darker and more
striated mauve. The flowers emit a honey-like sweet fragrance. Emerging from each flower is a three-pronged
style. Each of these prongs is terminated with a vivid crimson
stigma 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) in length.
The plant reproduces via corms. Corms are bulb-like, starch-storing organs, that form
underground. After blossoms fade they are dug up, separated, and
replanted each year.
common names & nomenclature
The English word, saffron stemmed from a 12th-century Old French term
safran, which comes from the Latin word safranum, which comes from the
Persian intercessor za'ferân.
Also known as:
saffron, saffron crocus