Colchichum autumnale

Saffron Saf"fron (?; 277), n. [OE. saffran, F. safran; cf. It. zafferano, Sp. azafran, Pg. a[,c]afr[~a]o; all fr. Ar. & Per. za' far[=a]n.] 1. (Bot.) A bulbous iridaceous plant ({Crocus sativus}) having blue flowers with large yellow stigmas. See {Crocus}. [1913 Webster]

2. The aromatic, pungent, dried stigmas, usually with part of the stile, of the {Crocus sativus}. Saffron is used in cookery, and in coloring confectionery, liquors, varnishes, etc., and was formerly much used in medicine. [1913 Webster]

3. An orange or deep yellow color, like that of the stigmas of the {Crocus sativus}. [1913 Webster]

{Bastard saffron}, {Dyer's saffron}. (Bot.) See {Safflower}.

{Meadow saffron} (Bot.), a bulbous plant ({Colchichum autumnale}) of Europe, resembling saffron.

{Saffron wood} (Bot.), the yellowish wood of a South African tree ({El[ae]odendron croceum}); also, the tree itself.

{Saffron yellow}, a shade of yellow like that obtained from the stigmas of the true saffron ({Crocus sativus}). [1913 Webster]