Any of about 75 species of low-growing plants, with Crocus ( iris family ), native to the Alps, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean and widely grown for their cuplike blooms in early spring or fall.
The spring-flowering sorts have a floral tube so long that the ovary is belowground, sheltered from climatic changes. {{link=saffron">Saffron comes from C. sativus of western Asia. The alpine C. vernus is the chief ancestor of the common garden crocus. Dutch yellow crocus ( C. flavus ) and C. biflorus are popular spring-flowering species.