''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...

s containing around 160

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

which grow from bulb-like

corm A corm, bulbo-tuber, or bulbotuber is a short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ that some plants use to survive winter or other adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat ( perennation). The word ...

s. It is a member of the botanical

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Colchicaceae Colchicaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes 15 genera with a total of about 285 known species according to Christenhusz and Byng in 2016. Description The family is characterized by the presence of colchicine. Taxonomy The APG III ...

, and is

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and enterta ...

to West

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an ...

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...

, parts of the

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on th ...

coast, down the

East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the histori ...

n coast to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

and the

Western Cape The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , and the third most populous, with an estimated 7 million inhabitants in 2020 ...

. In this genus, the

ovary The ovary is an organ in the female reproductive system that produces an ovum. When released, this travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it may become fertilized by a sperm. There is an ovary () found on each side of the bod ...

of the

flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...

is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than . All species in the genus are toxic.

Common names

The common names autumn crocus, meadow saffron and naked lady may be applied to the whole genus or to many of its species; they refer to the "naked"

crocus ''Crocus'' (; plural: crocuses or croci) is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms. They are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underg ...

-like flowers that appear in late summer or autumn, long before the strap-like foliage which appears in spring. ''Colchicum'' and ''Crocus'' look alike and can be confused by the casual observer. To add to the confusion, there are autumn-flowering species of crocus. However, colchicums have 3 styles and 6

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...

s, while crocuses have 1 style and 3 stamens. In addition, the

structures are quite different—in ''Colchicum'', the corm is irregular, while in crocuses, the corm is like a flattened ball. ''

Crocus ''Crocus'' (; plural: crocuses or croci) is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms. They are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underg ...

'' is in the iris

Iridaceae Iridaceae is a family of plants in order Asparagales, taking its name from the irises, meaning rainbow, referring to its many colours. There are 66 accepted genera with a total of c. 2244 species worldwide (Christenhusz & Byng 2016). It inclu ...

Etymology

The name of the genus derives from Κολχίς (

Colchis In Greco-Roman geography, Colchis (; ) was an exonym for the Georgian polity of Egrisi ( ka, ეგრისი) located on the coast of the Black Sea, centered in present-day western Georgia. Its population, the Colchians are generally though ...

), the

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic p ...

name for the region of კოლხეთი (

Kolkhida In Greco-Roman geography, Colchis (; ) was an exonym for the Georgian polity of Egrisi ( ka, ეგრისი) located on the coast of the Black Sea, centered in present-day western Georgia. Its population, the Colchians are generally though ...

) in modern

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to t ...

(

Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (country), Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range ...

). Colchis features in

Greek mythology A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of ...

as the land to which the

Argonauts The Argonauts (; Ancient Greek: ) were a band of heroes in Greek mythology, who in the years before the Trojan War (around 1300 BC) accompanied Jason to Colchis in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, '' Argo ...

journeyed in quest of the

golden fleece In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece ( el, Χρυσόμαλλον δέρας, ''Chrysómallon déras'') is the fleece of the golden-woolled,, ''Khrusómallos''. winged ram, Chrysomallos, that rescued Phrixus and brought him to Colchis, wh ...

and where

Jason Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greece, ancient Greek Greek mythology, mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was marri ...

encountered

Medea In Greek mythology A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the ...

. The Greek

toponym Toponymy, toponymics, or toponomastics is the study of '' toponyms'' ( proper names of places, also known as place names and geographic names), including their origins, meanings, usage and types. Toponym is the general term for a proper name o ...

''Colchis'' is thought by scholars to derive from the

Urartian Urartian or Vannic is an extinct Hurro-Urartian language which was spoken by the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Urartu (''Biaini'' or ''Biainili'' in Urartian), which was centered on the region around Lake Van and had its capital, Tushpa, ...

''Qulḫa'', pronounced "Kolcha" (guttural "ch" - as in Scots ''loch'').

Relationships

Colchicum melanthioides ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coas ...

'', also known as ''Androcymbium melanthioides'', is probably the best known species from the

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

regions. In contrast to most temperate colchicums, the flower and leaves are produced at the same time, the white flowers usually in a small corymb that is enclosed by white bracts. Close relatives such as ''

Colchicum scabromarginatum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' (''Androcymbium scabromarginatum'') and ''

Colchicum coloratum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' (''Androcymbium burchellii'') have flowers with very short stalks and may be pollinated by

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are roden ...

Cultivation

Temperate colchicums are commonly grown in gardens as ornamental flowers. Species found in cultivation include: * ''C.'' × ''agrippinum'' *'' C. autumnale'' * ''C.'' × ''byzantinum'' *'' C. cilicicum'' *'' C. lusitanum'' *'' C. speciosum'' *'' C. tenorei'' There are also

cultivars A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture ...

and hybrids such as:- *''C.'' 'Dick Trotter' (violet with white centre) *''C.'' 'Disraeli' (purple white), *''C.'' 'Giant' (red with white centre) *''C.'' 'Harlekijn' (white with purple band) *''C.'' 'Lilac Wonder' (lilac) *''C.'' 'Pink Goblet' (violet-purple) *''C.'' 'Poseidon' (purple) *''C.'' 'Rosy Dawn' (rose pink) *''C.'' 'Violet Queen' (purple) *''C.'' 'Waterlily' (double, lilac-pink) Those marked have gained the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (No ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

(confirmed 2017). In the United Kingdom, the

National Collection The UK National Collection is a collection of around 280 historic rail vehicles (predominantly of British origin). The majority of the collection is kept at four national museums: * National Railway Museum, York * Locomotion, Shildon * Science ...

of colchicums is maintained at

Felbrigg Hall Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century English country house near the village of that name in Norfolk. Part of a National Trust property, the unaltered 17th-century house is noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior. Outside i ...

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the Nort ...

Medicinal uses and poisonous properties

Plants in this genus contain toxic amounts of the

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Th ...

colchicine Colchicine is a medication used to treat gout and Behçet's disease. In gout, it is less preferred to NSAIDs or steroids. Other uses for colchicine include the management of pericarditis and familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is tak ...

which is used pharmaceutically to treat

gout Gout ( ) is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot and swollen joint, caused by deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals. Pain typically comes on rapidly, reaching maximal intens ...

and

Familial Mediterranean fever Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary inflammatory disorder. FMF is an autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in Mediterranean fever gene, which encodes a 781–amino acid protein called pyrin. While all ethnic groups are sus ...

. The use of the

root In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the sur ...

s and seeds in traditional medicine is thought to have arisen due to the presence of this drug. Its leaves,

and

seed A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiosper ...

s are

poison Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...

ous. Murderer

Catherine Wilson Catherine Wilson (1822 – 20 October 1862) was a British murderer who was hanged for one murder, but was generally thought at the time to have committed six others. She worked as a nurse and poisoned her victims after encouraging them to leave ...

is thought to have used it to poison a number of victims in the 19th Century. The species known to contain the most lethal amount of colchicine is '' C. autumnale''.

Species

The following are the species included in the genus ''Colchicum''. Many species previously classified in ''Androcymbium'', ''Bulbocodium'' and ''Merendera'' were moved to ''Colchicum'' based on

molecular genetic Molecular genetics is a sub-field of biology that addresses how differences in the structures or expression of DNA molecules manifests as variation among organisms. Molecular genetics often applies an "investigative approach" to determine the ...

evidence. ''

Androcymbium ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coas ...

'' is currently considered a separate genus by some. * ''Colchicum'' × ''agrippinum'' (probably a

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two diff ...

of garden origin) * ''

Colchicum alpinum ''Colchicum alpinum'', the alpine autumn crocus, is a corm-forming perennial with pale, delicate rosy-purple flowers, similar to '' C. autumnale'' but smaller. It is native to the Alps and the Appennini of Italy, Switzerland, France and Sicily ...

'' DC. in J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle * ''

Colchicum androcymbioides ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' (Valdés) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum antepense ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum antilibanoticum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Gomb. * ''

Colchicum arenarium ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Waldst. & Kit. * '' Colchicum arenasii'' Fridl. * ''

Colchicum asteranthum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Vassiliades & K.M.Perss. * ''

Colchicum atropurpureum Colchicum atropurpureum is a small flowered ''Colchicum'' which has blooms that open pink and then turn to a darker shade of red-purple. This plant is often confused with '' Colchicum autumnale''. It is considered unresolved, or ''species inquir ...

'' Stapf ex Stearn (unresolved name) * ''

Colchicum atticum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Spruner ex Tommas. * ''

Colchicum autumnale ''Colchicum autumnale'', commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, or naked ladies, is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant that resembles the true crocuses, but is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae, unlike the true crocuses, whi ...

'' L. * ''

Colchicum balansae ''Colchicum balansae'' is a variable species producing white to rosy-purple flowers in fall. The flowers are borne low to the ground, but can come from bulbs 50 cm (20") below the soil surface. The leaves are absent at flowering time, and s ...

'' Planch. * ''

Colchicum baytopiorum ''Colchicum baytopiorum'' is a plant species native to western Turkey and to the Greece, Greek island of Rhodes (although possibly extinct there). It has small, bright pink-purple flowers measuring 4 cm (1.5") across. It is unusual in the ...

'' C.D.Brickell * ''

Colchicum bivonae ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Guss. * ''

Colchicum boissieri ''Colchicum boisseri'' is a plant species in the genus '' Colchicum'' (the autumn crocuses) native to southern Greece and south-western Turkey but cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental.Theodhoros Georgios Orphanides. 1876. Atti Cong. Bot. Fire ...

'' Orph. * ''

Colchicum bulbocodium ''Colchicum bulbocodium'', the spring meadow saffron, is a species of alpine bulbous plant native to mountain ranges across Europe from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus (Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, the former Yug ...

'' Ker Gawl. * ''

Colchicum burttii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Meikle * ''Colchicum'' × ''byzantinum'' Ker Gawl. * ''

Colchicum chalcedonicum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Azn. * ''

Colchicum chimonanthum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum chlorobasis ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum cilicicum ''Colchicum cilicicum'', the Tenore autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant in the Colchicaceae family. A bulbous perennial, it bears deep rose-lilac flowers in late summer, with barely any chequered pattern on the petals (tessellation). ...

'' (Boiss.) Dammer * ''

Colchicum confusum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum corsicum ''Colchicum corsicum'' is a species of flowering plant in the Colchicaceae family. It is native to the islands of Corsica Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Med ...

'' Baker * ''

Colchicum cretense ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Greuter * ''

Colchicum crocifolium ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Colchicum cupanii ''Colchicum cupanii'' is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae, known as the Mediterranean meadow saffron. It grows around much of the central Mediterranean Basin, reported from France, Sardinia, Italy, Albania, Greec ...

'' Guss. * ''

Colchicum davisii ''Colchicum davisii'' is a large-flowering plant species native to Turkey. The flowers are very pale pink and heavily tessellated with a white throat and prominent yellow anthers The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen ...

'' C.D.Brickell * ''

Colchicum decaisnei ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Colchicum doerfleri ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Halácsy * ''

Colchicum dolichantherum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum eichleri ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' (Regel) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum euboeum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Boiss.) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum fasciculare ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (L.) R.Br. * ''

Colchicum feinbruniae ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum figlalii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Varol) Parolly & Eren * ''

Colchicum filifolium ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Cambess.) Stef. * ''

Colchicum freynii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Bornm. * ''

Colchicum gonarei ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Camarda * ''

Colchicum graecum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum greuteri ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' (Gabrieljan) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum haynaldii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Heuff. * ''

Colchicum heldreichii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum hierosolymitanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Feinbrun * ''

Colchicum hirsutum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Stef. * ''

Colchicum hungaricum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coas ...

'' Janka * ''

Colchicum ignescens ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum imperatoris-friderici ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Siehe ex K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum inundatum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum kesselringii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Regel * ''

Colchicum kotschyi ''Colchicum kotschyi'' is a species of flowering plant in the Colchicaceae family. It is native to Iran, Iraq and Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of t ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Colchicum kurdicum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Bornm.) Stef. * ''

Colchicum laetum ''Colchicum laetum'' is a species of ''Colchicum'' found in south east Russia through to the Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (coun ...

'' Steven * ''

Colchicum lagotum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum leptanthum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum lingulatum ''Colchicum lingulatum'' is a species of flowering plant in the Colchicaceae family. It is native to north-western Turkey and to Greece. ''Colchicum lingulatum'' blooms in early autumn, with pink flowers approximately 3–4 cm (1" to 1.5") ...

'' Boiss. & Spruner in P.E.Boissier * ''

Colchicum longifolium ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Castagne * ''

Colchicum lusitanum ''Colchicum lusitanum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae, native to southwest Europe and northwestern Africa. Distribution ''C. lusitanum'' is native to the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands The Balearic Island ...

'' Brot. * ''

Colchicum luteum ''Colchicum luteum'', the yellow colchicum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae, native to Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the western Himalayas, and Tibet. The only yellow-flowered member of its genus, a number of cu ...

'' Baker * ''

Colchicum macedonicum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Kosanin * ''

Colchicum macrophyllum ''Colchicum macrophyllum'' has large, funnel-shaped flowers in the fall with much tessellation throughout the bloom. The colour is rosy-purple and white. The leaves that it produces in the spring are large, up to 16" (40 cm) long, among th ...

'' B.L.Burtt * ''

Colchicum manissadjianii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' (Azn.) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum micaceum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum micranthum ''Colchicum micranthum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. It is native to Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinent ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Colchicum minutum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum mirzoevae ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' (Gabrieljan) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum montanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' L. * ''

Colchicum multiflorum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Brot. * ''

Colchicum munzurense ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum nanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum neapolitanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' (Ten.) Ten. * ''

Colchicum parlatoris ''Colchicum parlatoris'' is a small species of flowering plant native to Greece. It has dark-purple pink flowers on short stems bearing prominent yellow stamens. The species is very similar to ''Colchicum pusillum ''Colchicum pusillum'' is ...

'' Orph. * ''

Colchicum parnassicum ''Colchicum parnassicum'' is a plant species endemic to the Sterea Ellada region of central Greece. It is closely related to '' Colchicum autumnale'', mainly being different in having shorter flowers. The blooms are produced in fall and have a ...

'' Sart., Orph. & Heldr. in P.E.Boissier * ''

Colchicum paschei ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum peloponnesiacum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Rech.f. & P.H.Davis * ''

Colchicum persicum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Baker * ''

Colchicum polyphyllum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Boiss. & Heldr. in P.E.Boissier * ''

Colchicum pulchellum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum pusillum ''Colchicum pusillum'' is a species of perennial flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae that is easily identified by its up to 6 narrow (2mm or 1/16") leaves produced during or shortly after flowering. The flowers are star shaped and pale ...

'' Sieber * ''

Colchicum raddeanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' (Regel) K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum rausii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum ritchii ''Colchicum ritchii'', or the Egyptian autumn crocus, is a plant species native to the southeastern Mediterranean east to the Arabian Peninsula. Description ''Colchicum ritchii'' grows from a corm which is oval measuring 2-3.5 cm across, an ...

'' R.Br. * ''

Colchicum robustum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Bunge) Stef. * ''

Colchicum sanguicolle ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum schimperi ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial plant, perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family (biology), family Colchicaceae, and is native plant, native to W ...

'' Janka ex Stef. * ''

Colchicum serpentinum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Woronow ex Miscz. * ''

Colchicum sfikasianum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Kit Tan & Iatroú * ''

Colchicum sieheanum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Hausskn. ex Stef. * ''

Colchicum soboliferum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' (C.A.Mey.) Stef. * ''

Colchicum speciosum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Steven * ''

Colchicum stevenii ''Colchicum stevenii'', or Steven's meadow saffron, is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. Hebrew: סתוונית היורה, Arabic: سَراجُ الغولة, سُورَنْجان Description Perennial. Corm oblong, tu ...

'' Kunth * ''

Colchicum szovitsii ''Colchicum szovitsii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae, native from eastern Bulgaria to northwestern Jordan and Iran. It was first described in 1835. Subspecies , two subspecies are recognized: * ''Colchicum sz ...

'' Fisch. & C.A.Mey. * ''

Colchicum trigynum ''Colchicum trigynum'' is a species of plant native to Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus, often grown as an ornamental plant outside its native range. References External links *Peter C. Nijssen, Colchicum trigynum trigynum Plants describ ...

'' (Steven ex Adam) Stearn * ''

Colchicum triphyllum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial plant, perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family (biology), family Colchicaceae, and is native plant, native to W ...

'' Kunze * ''

Colchicum troodi ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Kotschy in F.Unger & C.G.T.Kotschy * ''

Colchicum tunicatum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Feinbrun * ''

Colchicum turcicum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Janka * ''

Colchicum tuviae ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' Feinbrun * ''

Colchicum umbrosum ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' Steven * ''

Colchicum varians ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coa ...

'' (Freyn & Bornm.) Dyer in B.D.Jackson * ''

Colchicum variegatum ''Colchicum variegatum'', common name Κολχικό το ποικιλόμορφο or Güz Acıçiğdemi, Sürincan is a plant species native to Greece and Turkey but cultivated in many other places. ''Colchicum variegatum'' is a perennial her ...

'' L. * ''

Colchicum wendelboi ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterr ...

'' K.Perss. * ''

Colchicum woronowii ''Colchicum'' ( or ) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediter ...

'' Bokeriya * ''

Colchicum zahnii ''Colchicum zahnii'' is a species of plant in the genus '' Colchicum'' native to southern Greece. It blooms in mid-autumn from rhizomatous corms. The flowers can be variable coloured, being a pale purple-pink to white and are often held wide open ...

'' Heldr.

References

Sources

* Suite 101. Plants and Bulbs: Hardy Fall-Blooming Bulbs for Your Garden
Veseys: Information for gardeners
* A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum for Gardeners, Bowles, E. A., D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1952 * The European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass, Volume 1, Walters, S. M., et al., editors, Cambridge University Press, 1984 {{Authority control Colchicaceae genera Medicinal plants