Crocus sativus

Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus or autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the iris family, Iridaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is primarily cultivated for its vibrant red stigmas, which are dried and used as the spice saffron. The word "saffron" derives from the 12th-century Old French term zafran, which in turn comes from the Arabic za'faran (زَعْفَرَان). In Hebrew, it is called karkom (כַּרְכּוֹם). The plant is a sterile triploid that is unable to produce seeds and is therefore propagated through the division of its corms. Saffron crocuses typically flower in late autumn and are known for their distinctive purple flowers, which have three bright red stigmas. These stigmas are hand-picked and dried to produce saffron, one of the world's most expensive spices by weight, due to the labor-intensive harvesting process and the relatively low yield of stigmas per flower. Saffron is widely used in cuisine, perfumery, dyeing, and as a medicinal herb.