Saffron of Andes
Escobedia grandiflora

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows erect and keeps growing from year to year. The stems are leafy and 60-150 cm long.

It is a cultivated food plant. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical places. It is recorded between 1,100-1,500 m above sea level in Costa Rica.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Columbia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The dried and ground roots are used for colouring gravies. They are also used for cheeses, butter and margarine.

It is a cultivated plant. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Roots - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Palillo, Raiz de color

Synonyms

Buchnera grandiflora L.f.; Escobedia brevipes Pennell; Escobedia curialis (Vell.) Pennell; Escobedia foliolosa Pennell; Escobedia longiflora Pennell; Escobedia parimensis Pennell; Escobedia reticulata Pennell; Escobedia scabrifolia Ruiz & Pav.; Escobedia scabrifolia var. laevigata J.A.Schmidt; Escobedia silvia Steud.; Lisianthius longiflorus Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.; Micalia grandiflora (L. f.) Raf.; Silvia curialis Vell.;