316 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



75. (Fig. 84.) CROCUS. Saffron. 

 Powdered. Entire. 



Spanish saffron, E. Safran, Spanischer Safran, G. Safran, Fr. 



The stigmas and upper parts of the styles of Crocus sativus L. 

 Iridaceae. 



Deep red. Should not be oily. 



Aromatic; recalling the odor of iodoform. 



Bitter, somewhat pungent; saliva a bright orange yellow. 



Cells elongated, thin-walled, filled with red coloring matter. 

 Large, very thin-walled bladdery stigmatic trichomes. Pollen grains 

 few, very large, spherical; exine thick, colorless; contents reddish, 

 granular. 



Ash should not exceed 5 per cent. 



Adulterated with basal portions of styles, dyed floral parts, as 

 stamens and petals. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is frequently 

 an adulterant of or substitute for crocus. Also adulterated with 

 chalk, gypsum, colored emery, oil, glycerine, etc. 



