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.
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
