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Saffron Crocus: Crocus sativus

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saffron crocus

Family: Iridaceae

Above: Saffron crocus close-up, Below: saffron in pot Use: herb gardens, crocus fields, containers
saffron n rosemary pot

Plant: cormous perennial to 12"

Origin: unknown. Used in the Mediterranean area for thousands of years

Zone
: 6 - 9

Flowers
: light purple with bright stamens and pistlls

Foliage: linear with white stripe. Grows and elongates from late autumn to spring.

Culture
: sun to part shade. Mesic soil. Pistils are the source of saffron. Takes thousands of flowers to collect an ounce. Saffron is a major crop in Kashmir and Spain



wemoss.org 2008, Last Updated November 6, 2008