Petals of purple

The genus Crocus includes about 100 species spread across Eurasia and North Africa. You might spot purple crocus blossoms like these as early as February here in Germany—even peeking through frost or light snow. Other species of crocus may feature white or yellow flowers, and some bloom in the late summer or fall. One autumn bloomer, the also-purplish Crocus sativus, is particularly valuable: Its bright red stigmas, better known as saffron once dried, are the most expensive spice in the world by weight and must be delicately hand-picked.