Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of multiple Crocus species to investigate the molecular basis of carotenoid biosynthesis.. Crocus

Saffron, derived from Crocus sativus, boasts a distinct metabolic composition within the Crocus genus. Yet, the evolution of saffron biosynthesis remains unclear. We examined C. sativus, C. cartwrightianus (its closest progenitor), C. oreocreticus, and C. hardriaticus to trace saffron's evolution.

藏红花（Saffron）源自番红花（Crocus sativus），在番红花属（Crocus）中具有独特的代谢组成。然而，藏红花生物合成的演化机制至今仍不明晰。本研究选取了番红花（Crocus sativus）、与其亲缘关系最近的祖先种卡氏番红花（C. cartwrightianus）、奥氏番红花（C. oreocreticus）以及亚得里亚番红花（C. hardriaticus），旨在追溯藏红花的演化历程。