Iridaceae

Subfamily Aristeoideae

• Aristea ecklonii
• Aristea ensifolia

Subfamily Crocoideae

• Crocus sativus
• Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'
• Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus
• Hesperantha coccinea

Subfamily Crocoideae
Tribe Croceae

• Syringodea longituba

Subfamily Iridoideae
Tribe Irideae

• Dietes vegeta
• Ferraria crispa
• Iris germanica

Subfamily Iridoideae
Tribe Mariceae

• Neomarica gracilis

Subfamily Iridoideae
Tribe Trimezieae

• Trimezia steyermarkii

Subfamily Ixioideae
Tribe Freesieae

• Anomatheca laxa
• Freesia alba
• Freesia occidentalis
• Freesia unidentified

Subfamily Ixioideae
Tribe Ixieae

• Geissorhiza radians W/C

Subfamily Ixioideae
Tribe Watsonieae

• Watsonia aletroides W/C
• Watsonia sp.

• Common Name: Saffron Crocus
• Family: Iridaceae Juss.

• Country of Origin: Asia Minor
• Habitat:

• Uses: To collect the saffron, pick the stigmas as soon as the flowers open, before the flower has a chance to wilt. Air dry the stigmas as quickly as possible and store in a closed container away from light or heat. The stigmas are valued for both the yellow dye that can be made from them, and the cooking spice. Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world because the best way to collect the stigmas is through handpicking. Due to the lack of mechanization of this process, labor costs increase the cost of the spice. In 1998 saffron prices rose to $8.50 per gram in the United States.