It grows wild on the slopes of Greece, former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania and northwestern Turkey,[1] with fragrant bright orange-yellow flowers.

The globe shaped corms are relatively large for a crocus species, and the tunics have parallel fibers.

flavus has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[9] The majority of plants grown in gardens are triploids that do not produce seeds and are propagated vegetatively.

[4] Cultivars include Crocus flavus 'Grosser Gelber' ('Big Yellow'), with large orange-yellow flowers.