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.

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

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