Crocus sativus
Saffron crocus
Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron, is a perennial plant prized for its vibrant crimson stigmas. Beyond its status as the world's most expensive spice, it holds significant medicinal value. Renowned for its antioxidant and antidepressant properties, it is traditionally used to enhance mood and support overall neurological health.
- Scientific name: Crocus sativus
- Family: Iridaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Asparagales and is a member of the family Iridaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Crocus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Iridaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Crocus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Crocus sativus, is recognized by various common names across different languages. In Estonia, it is called Safrankrookus, while in Russia, it is referred to as шафран посевной. In Lithuania, the plant is known as Daržinis krokas, and in Sweden, it goes by the name saffranskrokus. Furthermore, in Poland, it is commonly called Szafran uprawny.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| et | Safrankrookus | Wikidata |
| ru | шафран посевной | Wikidata |
| lt | Daržinis krokas | Wikidata |
| sv | saffranskrokus | Wikidata |
| pl | Szafran uprawny | Wikidata |
| uk | Шафран посівний | Wikidata |
| vi | Nghệ tây | Wikidata |
| sl | pravi žafran | Wikidata |
| da | Safrankrokus | Wikidata |
| fi | maustesahrami | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across three continents. In Middle Europe, its presence can be noted within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is widely established in Southwestern Europe, specifically in Spain. The species also thrives in Southeastern Europe, with significant populations found in both Greece and Italy. Finally, its range extends into Northern Africa, where it is documented in Morocco.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Iran | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Türkiye | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Crocus sativus, is a perennial herb highly valued for its unique reproductive structures. The most precious part of the plant comes from its purple flowers, which contain three long, crimson-colored stigmas. Each individual flower produces these distinct stigma threads, which are carefully hand-harvested to produce the world's most expensive spice, saffron. Once the dried stigmas are collected and processed, they are used globally for their intense flavor, vibrant coloring properties, and significant medicinal benefits.- Total parts
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 33
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stigma | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| stigmas | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| saffron | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried stigmas | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corm | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigma tissue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stamens | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scape | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| red stigmas | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Crocus sativus has 99 reported phytochemicals identified across 264 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include safranal, crocetin, picrocrocin, crocin, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 99
- Scientific sources
- 264
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| safranal | 30 | ★★★★★ |
| crocetin | 26 | ★★★★★ |
| picrocrocin | 24 | ★★★★★ |
| crocin | 21 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Crocin | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| carotenoids | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| crocine | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| saffron | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| zeaxanthin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
Activities
Crocus sativus has 37 reported activities identified across 136 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 37
- Scientific sources
- 136
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 38 | ★★★★★ |
| Neuroprotective | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| Anticancer | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Antidepressant | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Crocus sativus has 176 reported medicinal uses identified across 300 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include depression, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases.
- Total uses
- 176
- Scientific sources
- 300
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| depression | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| anxiety | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| cancer | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| oxidative stress | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| inflammation | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| hypertension | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disorders | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |