Nature subverted
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Nature subverted
What it is able to do is to produce saffron; by weight, the world’s most valuable spice. This orange to yellow substance, ironically produced by the non-functioning sexual organs of the plants, is chemically complex with many volatiles and has been important to humankind for thousands of years. Usage has varied from medicinal to culinary to cosmetic, and adulteration—now defined as non-stigma content—was once punishable by death, and still affects the value.
The characteristic 3 styles are orange, arising from a short common base.
The stigma is flared with multiform structures around the opening.
One can easily imagine that a lot of the chemistry for which the plant is valued comes from these structures.
It is worth noting that Crocus sativus is commonly known as autumn crocus and has 3 stamens and 3 styles; Colchicum autumnale is also unfortunately called “autumn crocus” and is said to be poisonous. A totally different plant, it has 6 stamens and 1 style.
Leonard
Re: Nature subverted
Good photos and information!
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Re: Nature subverted
Great images and story!
I realize now that I've always been confused about where saffron comes from. Somehow I had gotten the idea that it was related to pollen -- the male parts of the flower -- but I see now that it's all from the female parts, and pollen is not involved at all. I have no doubt that I've read the phrase "styles and stigmas" numerous times over the years, and certainly I know what those words mean, but still somehow I never got the right picture formed inside my head. Yet another reminder of how easy it is to go astray!
--Rik
I realize now that I've always been confused about where saffron comes from. Somehow I had gotten the idea that it was related to pollen -- the male parts of the flower -- but I see now that it's all from the female parts, and pollen is not involved at all. I have no doubt that I've read the phrase "styles and stigmas" numerous times over the years, and certainly I know what those words mean, but still somehow I never got the right picture formed inside my head. Yet another reminder of how easy it is to go astray!
--Rik
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- Posts: 713
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:40 am
- Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Re: Nature subverted
My thanks, Lou and Rik; this site has long been a source of photographic pleasure and intellectual stimulation for me personally.
Leonard
Leonard