Open AccessBotany, taxonomy and cytology of Crocus sativus series
Author(s) -
RB Saxena
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ayu
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0976-9382
pISSN - 0974-8520
DOI - 10.4103/0974-8520.77153
Subject(s) - crocus sativus , iridaceae , crocus , botany , subgenus , taxonomy (biology) , taxon , biology , nomenclature
Saffron is produced from the dried styles of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) which is unknown as wild plant, representing a sterile triploid. These belong to subgenus Crocus series Crocus sativus - series are closely related species; and are difficult to be separated taxonomically and have a complex cytology. Botany of C. sativus - series, taxonomy of their species and their infraspecific taxa are presented, and their distribution, ecology and phenology; full description and chromosome counts are provided with key to their identification.