Bible Encyclopedias
Saffron
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
saf´run ( כּרכּם , karkōm ; κρόκος , krókos ): Identical with the Arabic kurḳum , the same as za‛farān , "saffron." The source of the true saffron is Crocus sativus (Natural Order, Indaceae ), a plant cultivated in Palestine; there are 8 wild varieties in all of which, as in the cultivated species, the orange-colored styles and stigmas yield the yellow dye, saffron. Song of Solomon 4:14 probably refers to the C. sativus . There is a kind of bastard saffron plant, the Carthamus tinctorius (Natural Order, Compositae ), of which the orange-colored flowers yield a dye like saffron.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Saffron'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/s/saffron.html. 1915.