Are Saffron Crocus Flowers Edible

Plant Crocus sativus bulbs and grow your own saffron to use in cooking. We rarely think of bulbs as edible, but this showy fall-blooming Crocus is the source of saffron, the quintessential seasoning for paella and other dishes from the Mediterranean and Asia.

Are saffron flowers poisonous?

The Autumn Crocus, also known as Meadow Saffron or Naked Lady, is highly toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal signs (e.g., drooling, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, etc.), liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, central nervous system signs (e.g., seizures), and even death.

Are saffron flower petals edible?

In traditional medicine, saffron petal is consumed as antispasmodic, stomachic, curative of anxiety, antitumor and antidepressant. According to economical properties, phytochemical compounds and traditional usage, it can be used in different medicinal fields (27).