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Saffron crocus

How to identify Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus)

Saffron crocus, also known as Autumn crocus, Persian saffron

Saffron crocus boasts a striking presence with its vibrant purple to lavender blossoms that emerge in the fall, gracing gardens for a brief period of 1-2 weeks. The plant's stature is modest, often reaching just under 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Before its flowering, slender, grass-like leaves appear, providing a delicate green backdrop to the colorful blooms. Notably, saffron crocus produces multiple flowers from each corm, each hosting the valuable stamens prominently in their centers.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Saffron crocus

1

Vibrant purple to lavender flowers with reddish-orange stigmas

2

Linear green leaves with a central white stripe, up to 16 inches (40 cm) long

3

Night-closing behavior, blooms for 14 days in fall

Saffron crocusSaffron crocusSaffron crocusSaffron crocusSaffron crocus

Detailed Traits of Saffron crocus

Leaf Features

The leaves of saffron crocus are linear, upright, and green, ranging from 5 to 11 in number per plant. Each leaf can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long. The leaves are slender and grass-like, emerging from the corm prior to the plant's blooming. They are characterized by their smooth texture and a central white stripe running longitudinally. The vein pattern is parallel, typical of monocot plants, contributing to their distinctive and easily identifiable appearance.

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Flower Features

The flowers of saffron crocus exhibit six striking purple to lavender lily-like petals, each finely arranged around three prominent style branches. These styles are tipped with bright reddish-orange protruding stigmas, creating a vivid contrast. The blossoms typically reach a modest size, approximately 1.2-2 inches (3-5 cm) wide. Notably, the flowers exhibit a night-closing behavior and have a brief blooming period of about 14 days in the fall. The delicate blooms are known for their sterility.

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Key Facts About Saffron crocus

Attributes of Saffron crocus
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
10 cm to 30 cm
Spread
10 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm to 3 cm
Flower Color
Purple
Stem Color
Green
Purple
Leaf type
Deciduous
The Toxicity of Saffron crocus
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Scientific Classification of Saffron crocus

Family
Iris
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Species
Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus)
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Distribution Map of Saffron crocus

Saffron crocus, a flower primarily associated with temperate regions, is indigenous to Western Asia and parts of Southern Europe. Over time, it has been introduced and cultivated in parts of South Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, and portions of Southeastern Europe. Today, saffron crocus is cultivated in areas that can simulate its native climate conditions.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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