In the saffron plant (Crocus sativus), which part of the flower is harvested and dried to give us the spice saffron?

Introduction / Context:
Saffron is one of the most valuable spices in the world and is used in cooking, traditional medicine, and religious ceremonies. It comes from a specific part of the flower of Crocus sativus, and harvesting it is very labour intensive. This question tests your knowledge of basic botany by asking which floral part we actually use as saffron, linking plant structure to an important economic product.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The plant in question is the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus.
• The options are roots, petals, stem, and stigma, all parts of a plant or flower.
• We assume standard botanical terminology for flower anatomy.

Concept / Approach:
A typical flower has male parts (stamens) and female parts (pistil or carpel). The pistil consists of the stigma, style, and ovary. In the saffron crocus, the spice saffron consists of the dried red stigmas of the flower. Each flower has only a few stigmas, and they must be carefully hand picked and dried, which explains the high cost. Roots, petals, and stems are not used as the saffron spice, though petals may contribute some colour when processed.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that saffron threads seen in packets are thin, reddish, thread like structures.2. In the saffron crocus flower, the female reproductive structure (pistil) bears stigmas that are long and deep red, matching the appearance of saffron threads.3. These stigmas are carefully harvested by hand and then dried to produce the spice.4. The roots of the plant are underground storage organs and are not used as saffron.5. Petals are the colourful parts of the flower but are not the primary source of the spice.6. The stem supports the plant but again is not used to make saffron.7. Therefore, the correct answer is that saffron comes from the stigma of the flower.

Verification / Alternative check:
Descriptions of saffron production explain that each Crocus sativus flower produces three stigmas, and thousands of flowers are needed to collect a small amount of saffron. Photos of harvesting show workers plucking the red stigmas from opened flowers. The rest of the plant, including petals and stems, is discarded or used only in minor ways. This clear focus on stigmas in both text and images confirms that stigma is the correct floral part.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, roots, is incorrect because while some plants supply roots as spices or medicines, saffron is not one of them. Option B, petals, would produce coloured extracts but the true saffron threads are not petals. Option C, stem, is wrong because stems serve mainly for support and transport and do not give the commercial spice. Only the stigma matches the actual structure sold as saffron threads.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse petals and stigmas because both are parts of the flower and may be coloured. Another pitfall is to think that any visible part could be used, without checking which part is actually harvested. To avoid mistakes, it helps to review basic flower anatomy and to remember that saffron threads are stigmas, while other spices such as cloves come from flower buds and cinnamon from bark.

Final Answer:
The part of the saffron plant that gives us the spice saffron is the stigma of the flower.