<P> Saffron ( pronounced / ˈsæfrən / or / ˈsæfrɒn / ) is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus , commonly known as the `` saffron crocus '' . The vivid crimson stigmas and styles , called threads , are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food . Saffron , long among the world 's most costly spices by weight , was probably first cultivated in or near Greece . C. sativus is probably a form of C. cartwrightianus , that emerged by human cultivators selectively breeding plants for unusually long stigmas in late Bronze Age Crete . It slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa , North America , and Oceania . </P>
<P> Saffron ( pronounced / ˈsæfrən / or / ˈsæfrɒn / ) is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus , commonly known as the `` saffron crocus '' . The vivid crimson stigmas and styles , called threads , are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food . Saffron , long among the world 's most costly spices by weight , was probably first cultivated in or near Greece . C. sativus is probably a form of C. cartwrightianus , that emerged by human cultivators selectively breeding plants for unusually long stigmas in late Bronze Age Crete . It slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa , North America , and Oceania . </P>
what part of saffron is used to make the spice
what part of saffron is used to make the spice
stigmas and styles , called threads
stigmas and styles , called threads