Saffron from crocus

[homer]

I know that saffron comes from the crocus family, and is one of the most expensive spices, but can I dry and use the stamens from the crocuses(?) in my garden - and what is the plural of crocus?

[janshep]

You need 6,000 flowers to produce 28 grams or one ounce of saffron according to one Spanish producer. And looking at the flowers of Crocus Sativus they look different from our spring bulbs in that the red stigma (the important bit for saffron) are much longer. So I feel it is a different variety that is used for the commercial production of saffron. I would definitely stick to the shop bought variety! The plural of crocus us crocii.