Meadow Saffron flowers in autumn, with the leaves appearing in spring. Although belonging to the Lily family, it looks like a crocus, and is sometimes called Autumn Crocus. This leads to confusion with the true Autumnal Crocus (Crocus nudiflorus, a member of the Iris family), which also flowers in autumn with the leaves in spring. Meadow Saffron has pink flowers with 6 stamens and 3 long styles, whereas the Autumnal Crocus has more purple-coloured flowers with 3 stamens.