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Crocus

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 20:51 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Crocus spp.

Zones:
Most
Other Names:
Spring blooming crocus, spring crocus, early crocus, snow crocus, autumn crocus, saffron crocus

Crocus are members of the iris family native to Central and Eastern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and western China.

Propagation:

Most crocuses like full sun and well drained soil, though there is quite a bit of variation between species. Be sure to do your research for the specific species you have.

Crocuses grow from corms, which are planted in autumn about 2-3 inches deep. They will pop up from beneath the snow like daisies (why do they say pop up like daisies- they don't pop. Crocuses do!) in the early spring. They can be killed by a late frost though.

Squirrels like to eat crocus corms.

In areas colder than zone 6, autumn crocuses may not do well in cold winters. After the first couple of frosts, but before winter has really set in, they should be dug up and stored covered with sand or peat moss in a cool dry place, about 50 degrees until after the danger of frost has passed in the spring.

After about 4 to 6 years, your crocuses will need to be divided. Do this by digging up the corms right after the foliage has faded and replanting them right away or storing them in a box of sand or peat moss until autumn planting time.

History and Folklore:

The name crocus is krokos in Greek, karkom in Hebrew, kurkama in Aramaic, and kurkum in Arabic and Persion. It means yellow, presumably referring to the saffron spice obtained from the autumn saffron crocus although this flower is actually purple! Saffron is an extremely expensive ingredient made from the sexual organs of Crocus sativa that also produces a fabulous yellow dye.

Although many of our garden crocuses are "Dutch", they are not native to the Netherlands but were first brought there by an ambassador from the Holy Roman Empire.

Homer referred often to the Goddess Eos as saffron-robed.

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Some sites claim that saffron is $200-300 per ounce. I've seen it at $90 an ounce, but this may not have been the good stuff. It was used to dye the robes of royalty and was once a symbol of status and wealth.

Harvesting & Storage:

You can pick any crocus and put it in a vase to bring its beauty into the house.

Crocus sativa is an autumn blooming crocus that provides saffron. The finest saffron is made from the stigmas. The next finest grade is fram the stamens. The petals can be eaten as a vegetable. Harvest the stigmas and stamens (there are 3 of each, if there aren't, you've got the wrong flower) on a sunny day when the flowers are fully open. You can pick the whole flower, or simply pluck out the parts you want with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.

Lay your stigmas flat on a bit of waxed paper in a warm place to dry and store in an air tight container.

Household Use:

Saffron can be used to make a fabulous bright yellow dye, paint or ink. You need to use a mordant such as alum to make the saffron colorfast or the color will be gone the first time you use it. It can also be used to color eggs. Use vinegar in the water to set the color.
I will experiment more with this and get back to you.
Next year, after my saffron has grown.
If I don't kill it.

Magical Attributes:

Spring crocus is associated with Venus, Eos and Aphrodite, water and Mercury and Venus.

Saffron is associated with Eos and with Venus and Aphrodite. It is also associated with the Sun and mars, Leo and fire. For centuries, saffron has been associated with wealth, power and rarity. This makes it an excellent offering for any deity and is a traditional ingredient in crescent moon cakes made in honor of the Phoenician Goddess Ashtoreth.

It is also useful in spells aimed toward wealth and recognition, to bring strength. It can also be infused into holy wateri and burned in censors for various rituals.

It is also proported to be an aphrodesiac. Hot date? Two words. Indian food.

An infusioni of saffron is also said to help enhance psychic abilities.

Rinsing bedlinens in an infusion of saffron (or possibly a whole crocus) is said to help bring strength to the body while one sleeps.

Spring crocus is a traditional decoration for early spring festivals such as Imbolc and Ostara. It is also useful for all spells related to new beginnings.

Any crocus (autumn, spring, whatever) can be used in spells for love, friendship, settling disputes, peace and divinationi.

Healing Attributes:

Saffron has been used for treating a variety of illnesses including measles, bladder, kidney and liver disorders and diabetes. Modern studies show that it may be useful in treating cancer by helping to fight tumers and easing the discomfort associated with chemotherapy. It has also been used to treat recovering alcoholics and is said to help repair damage done to the brain by alcoholism. An infusioni of saffron is said to help relieve depression.

Culinary Use:

Stigmas gathered from Crocus sativa (and only this one, no other species!) is a common flavoring in many ethnic dishes. The red-orangei threads should be soaked for 20 minutes in whatever liquid you are using for your recipe and then added early in the cooking process.

Saffron is especially good with rice and is a traditional ingredient in many rice dishes.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

You only need to use a few threads of saffron for cooking. Its flavor is not strong, but it doesn't get stronger if you use more, it just wastes money.

Be sure if you are eating a crocus (petals, stamen, stigmas) that you are eating Crocus sativa. It will have six petals, three bright orangish red stigmas and three similarly colored stamen and 6-9 grasslike leaves. The petals will be violet in color, darker at the throat and somewhat vieny.

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