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Collecting Saffron from the Colus sativus flower is a time-consuming and laborious process which contributes greatly to the high price of Saffron spice. The spice takes the form of long red threads which, are actually the individual stamens(female reproductive organs) of the Saffron flower. Each flower has exactly three stamens that are exposed only during the brief 15-20 day period when the flowers are in bloom. An enormous amount of flowers, aproximately 75,000, are need to produce one pound of the dried spice. Thus, Crocus sativas can fetch more money per flower than any other species on the planet.

Crocus sativus L. Introduction Crocus sativus or Saffron flower, is a member of the Iris family and the source of the world's most valued culinary spice: Saffron. The flower itself is a sterile, triploid mutation of flower Crocus cartwrightianus. Saffron flowers do not produce viable seeds but rather they grow asexually from corms. This means that the large area of distribution achieved by the Saffron flower-- which is found growing naturally in regions from Spain all the way to India--is due to human intervention. The importance of Saffron can be seen today in terms of market prices. One pound of the potent spice sells for aproximately $800 and it is used everywhere as an aromatic spice and also as a dye in textile production.
Collecting Saffron from the Colus sativus flower is a time-consuming and laborious process which contributes greatly to the high price of Saffron spice. The spice takes the form of long red threads which, are actually the individual stamens(female reproductive organs) of the Saffron flower. Each flower has exactly three stamens that are exposed only during the brief 15-20 day period when the flowers are in bloom. An enormous amount of flowers, aproximately 75,000, are need to produce one pound of the dried spice. Thus, Crocus sativas can fetch more money per flower than any other species on the planet.	Dried Stigmas from the Saffron flower
The plant responds well to climates that feature cold winters and hot summers, frequent precipitation is a must. Plants will bloom fully only after a significant amount of precipitation occurs. Plants should be grown in an area of good drainage and soil should be loose enough to allow the corms of the Saffron flower to fully develop. The needs of drainage and friability are best met with a loamy soil if cultivated outdoors or a raised bed if cultivated as a horticultural crop. Saffron flower is a perennial that will produce 8-10 cormlets per year for every corm. Each of these should develop a stalk for the next year if given the proper space and environmental requirements are met.	Wild growth in Switzerland
This Page completed by Derek Gorder Proffessor Chiwon Lee External links: http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Croc_sat.html http://www.greekproducts.com/greekproducts/saffron/index.html www.crop.cri.nz/home/products-services/publications/broadsheets/020Saffron.pdf