Of the four media tested, the best growth occurred in the MS medium containing 5% sucrose (w/v), which support a maximum frequency of callus formation, the maximum frequency of somatic embryo formation and the maximum frequency of shoot regeneration (Data in Tables 1–3 and Figs. 1–3). However, none of the media combined with the auxins (IAA and IBA) could support the formation of roots in the crocus species from the regenerated shoots. The whole plant regeneration was achieved from the mature somatic embryos (Fig. 3a-g).