Crocus cartwrightianus Albus

Crocus cartwrightianus albus or White Saffron Crocus is a lovely hardy autumn perennial, less well known than its cousin sativus. In autumn, it produces large spectacular, beautiful pure white flowers that brighten up the garden. They measure about ten centimetres. Each bulb produces 1 to 3 flowers, whose 3 red-orange filaments are saffron.

The green leaves of Crocus cartwrightianus albus, which are 15 to 20 cm tall, mostly appear after flowering and dry up at the end of spring. The Crocus is used in gardens. It can be placed in a flower bed, border, rockery or even in pots. The Saffron Crocus is a rare species that originates from wild plants in Southern Europe and Asia Minor. Its flowers, unlike most species, remain open even in darkness.

For a saffron harvest, which is mainly produced in Iran, a daily harvest is required when the flowers have just opened as the flowers have a very short life (48 hours). Saffron can be used to spice up your dish. It takes 150 flowers to produce one gram of saffron.