The first meadow saffron of the season sighted in a neighbor’s yard. Meadow saffron (aka autumn saffron, wild saffron or autumn crocus) is neither saffron nor in the genus Crocus.
This is Colchicum autumnale, and no matter what common name it’s given, these plants are poisonous if ingested.
Supposedly this plant was a favorite for suicide when the Greeks were the reigning world culture, and Victorian scientists curious about this fed Colchicum bulbs to dogs and then took really detailed notes of their prolonged and painful deaths. I recommend avoiding those accounts as much as I recommend avoiding the plant.
Again, not saffron and not crocus.
Thank you for listening to my annual PSA about toxic non-crocus and please share with those who you feel need this info.