Saffron Of the Iris order. The stigma and upper portion of the style, taken from the flower's center and dried, is the saffron of commerce. Esteemed anciently for its fragrance, also as a dye. "Saffron vested" is Homer's epithet for morning. Also a medicine. Hebrew carcom, Latin crocus (Song of Solomon 4:14). Saffron is derived from Arabic zafran, "yellow." Saffron Walden in Essex is named from the saffron.