ETYM Latin, saffron, from Greek krokos; cf. Hebrew karkôm, Arabic kurkum, Skr. kunkuma.
Any plant of the genus Crocus of the iris family Iridaceae, native to Northern parts of the Old World, especially S Europe and Asia Minor. It has single yellow, purple, or white flowers and narrow, pointed leaves.
During the dry season of the year crocuses remain underground in the form of a corm, and produce fresh shoots and flowers in spring or autumn. At the end of the season of growth fresh corms are produced. Several species are cultivated as garden plants, the familiar mauve, white, and orange forms being varieties of C. vernus, C. versicolor, and C. aureus. To the same genus belongs the saffron C. sativus. The so-called autumn crocus or meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale is not a true crocus but belongs to the lily family.(Irregular plural: crocuses).
Any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated.