Re- SC - Advice, please!

[Mary Hysong]

Marisa Herzog wrote:

>

snip, snip

> and some more useless info from my herb library:
>   saffron crocus- crocus sativus (I have seen bulbs for order in some
> flower
> catalogues!)
>   meadow saffron (common crocus?)- colchicum autumnale
>   false saffron (safflower?)- carthamaus tinctoris

*****************Crocus sativus is the true saffron crocus, lavender
fall bloomer that smells heavenly (Yes, you can grow saffron in your
garden!)

Colchicum autumnale is another autumn flowering crocus and is
POISIONOUS, it also called Autumn Crocus and Meadow Saffron.

Carthamus tinctorius is indeed Safflower.  The seeds are pressed for oil
used for culinary purposes as well as paints and varnishes.  According
to my Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening "The flowers are used as a dye
for silk, an ingredient in rouge, and a colorant and flavoring for
gravies and soups.  Because of its use as a saffron adulterant, the
plant is often called false saffron."

Mairi (anxiously awaiting the blooming of the 'current crop' of
saffron:))

Mary Hysong <Lady Mairi BroderAtenveldt Kingdom Scribe> and  Curtis
Edenfield <The C-Man>
Canyon Keep Ent.: Step back to the past with Mary-handspun yarns &
Natural Fibers: Into the Future with Curtis-Computer Consulting,
Graphics & Design<<<*>>>E-Mail ladymari at gila.net


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