Colchicum autumnale
Colchique d’automne
Autumn Crocus
Additional information
| Plant family | |
|---|---|
| Area | Provence Verte |
| Flower colour | purple |
| Flower size | 40-60 mm |
| Flowering months | September, October |
| Leaf type | Lanceolate, Elliptic |
| Height | 30 cm |
Description
The fleshy leaves appear in spring, to die down well before flowering in autumn. The stalk is in fact a tube-like structure.
Damp grassy meadows, open woodland, roadsides.
The Greeks already knew that Colchicum autumnalis had medicinal properties, but it was considered too dangerous to use. After new research in the 18th century it came in use to treat gout.
Flowers
Solitary, pale lilac tepals, 3 large ones and 3 smaller ones, white tipped, on a 20 cm long stalk.
Leaves
Elliptic oval leaf, Lanceolate leaf is lance-shaped: long and widest in the middle. Basal only, oval to oblong, pointed, 15-35 cm long.
Fruits Seeds
Capsule: splits open to release seeds.
Medical
Corms and seeds: to relieve pain and inflammation of acute gout and rheumatism.
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