番红花 fan hong hua

Corms ca. 3 cm in diam.; tunic light yellow or yellowish brown, reticulate fibrous. Leaves 9--15, 15--20 cm × 2--3 mm. Flowers 1 or 2, fragrant. Perianth purple; segments oblanceolate, 4--5 cm, apex obtuse. Stamens ca. 2.5 cm; anthers yellow, apex slightly curved, pointed. Style 3-branched at apex; branches recurved, deep red, 2.5 cm or more. Fertile seeds not produced.

Cultivated throughout China [widely cultivated elsewhere, probably of hybrid origin in E Mediterranean region].

The style and stigmas are used medicinally, in cooking, and in the preparation of saffron dye.