🌼 Colchicum autumnale, also known as Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus, or Naked Ladies, is a charming autumn-flowering perennial native to Europe. Although it resembles the true crocus (Crocus sativus), which produces saffron, this species belongs to a different family – Colchicaceae – and is not a source of real saffron. The name “naked ladies” comes from its habit of blooming long after the leaves have withered away.
🌷 Botanical characteristics:
Grows from corms (bulb-like storage organs).
Leaves reach up to 25 cm long, smooth and bright green.
Produces delicate lilac-pink flowers 4–7 cm wide, with six tepals and six stamens.
The ovary remains underground until fruiting – a distinctive botanical feature.
Blooms appear in late summer to autumn, brightening gardens as most flowers fade.
🌿 Habitat and distribution:
Native to Great Britain and Ireland, Colchicum autumnale is found across continental Europe from Portugal to Ukraine, and has become naturalized in parts of Scandinavia, Russia, and New Zealand. It thrives in moist meadows, pastures, and woodland edges, often under protection of County Wildlife Trusts in the UK.
⚗️ Pharmaceutical importance:
The plant’s corms contain colchicine, a potent alkaloid widely used in medicine. Colchicine is approved by the U.S. FDA for treating gout and familial Mediterranean fever. It’s also used in plant breeding to produce polyploid strains that exhibit improved vigor and resistance.
⚠️ Toxicity warning:
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. Handling should be done with care and gloves, especially around children and pets. Despite its toxicity, it remains a popular ornamental flower due to its beauty and unique blooming season.
🌱 Cultivation tips:
Sow seeds in autumn, just after harvest.
Use well-drained, humus-rich soil and keep moderately moist.
Prefers partial shade to full sun.
Germination can take 6–12 months, but once established, it will bloom every year with little maintenance.
🌸 Perfect for:
Gardeners seeking a rare autumn bloomer, botanical collectors, or enthusiasts of historic medicinal plants.
🔗 Learn more about Colchicum autumnale on Wikipedia.
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