Saffron is a plant belonging to the family of iridaceae, Genere crocus, Specie sativus (crocus sativus). Saffron has long and thin leaves and a solid bulbous root covered of fibrous tunics. Its scapes -a floriferous axis without leaves- carry one or two large and violaceous flowers, with a funnel shape which contain the stamens and the pistils. From the flowers are extracted stamens and pistils which, once dried, are the most precious and expensive spice in the world. In Italy, there are excellent saffron plantations, especially in Abruzzo, Marche and Umbria but also in Sardinia and Tuscany. Saffron is used as a spice or colouring by the food industry.