Colchicum autumnale

Colchicum autumnale
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Colchicaceae
Genus:	Colchicum
Species:	C. autumnale
Binomial name
Colchicum autumnale L.

Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron or naked lady, is a flower which resembles the true crocuses, but flowering in autumn. (This is not a reliable distinction, however, since there are many true crocuses that flower in autumn.) The name "naked lady" comes from the fact that the flowers emerge from the ground long after the leaves have died back.

The species is commonly cultivated in temperate areas.

Colchicum autumnale is the only species of its genus native to the United Kingdom, with notable populations under the stewardship of the County Wildlife Trusts.

Pharmaceutical uses

The bulb-like corms of Colchicum autumnale contain colchicine, a useful drug with a narrow therapeutic index. Colchicine is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is also used in plant breeding to produce polyploid strains. A compound derived from the autumn crocus, called ICT2588, could be a potential treatment or cure for cancer. In experimental testing it was successfully used to treat breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancers in mice. ^{[1] [2]}

Toxicity

Colchicum plants have been mistaken by foragers for ramsons, which they vaguely resemble, but are deadly poisonous due to their colchicine content. The symptoms of colchicine poisoning resemble those of arsenic, and no antidote is known.

Danger of extinction

The Botanic Gardens Conservation International representing botanic gardens in 120 countries has warned that "400 medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease", including Colchicum autumnale.^[3]

Gallery

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  Flowers surrounded by other plants

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  Two flowers

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  Seed capsules

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  Colchicum autumnale by Auguste Faguet

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  After the rain

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  Detail of flower at the United States Botanic Gardens

References

^[4]

1. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14855666
2. ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20663911
3. ^ "Medicinal plants 'facing threat'". BBC News. 2008-01-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196702.stm. 
4. ^ Autumn Bulbs by Roy Leeds (B.T. Batsford Ltd) 2006 ISBN 0 713 489 626

External links

• Case report: fatal poisoning with Colchicum autumnale