Saffron calli were induced from ovary explants on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with beyzyladenine (BA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as growth factors. MS medium with 5 mg l−1 BA and 10 mg l−1 NAA was selected for calli induction and undifferentiated calli growth, while MS medium with 1 mg l−1 BA and 1 mg l−1 NAA was the most appropriate for stigma differentiation. On this medium, stigma-like structures measuring 0.5–1.5 cm were obtained. Initially they were colourless, but yellow pigmentation, due to the presence of crocin, progressively increased with calli growth. Extracts of stigma-like structures were analysed by HPLC and the presence of saffron secondary metabolites was demonstrated. In addition, calli also showed yellow pigmentation.