ZAFFERANO Basket of freshly picked Crocus sativus; plant of the Iridaceae family; coming from organic cultivation on land plot in Basso Piedmont (Monferrato). The graceful bulb plant is grown in Asia Minor and in many countries of the Mediterranean basin among which Italy; where the largest crops are found in the Marche; Abruzzo and Sardinia. From the trifido stimulation; the spice is called "saffron"; used in the kitchen and in some medicinal preparations. Photography by Patrizia Piccini; Ponzone (AL); 2016.