Colchicum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Colchicaceae, comprising 60 species. It is native to West Asia and part of the Mediterranean Coast. The common names are Autumn Crocus and Naked Lady. The name "naked lady" comes from the fact that the flowers emerge from the ground long after the leaves have died back.
Colchicum is a perennial plant which grows from corms. The large-flowered plants look attractive planted under trees and shrubs. The flowers are borne in autumn, before the long, strappy leaves. Colchicum is suitable to plant in rock gardens. The flowers do not withstand heavy rain or strong wind, so they do best in sheltered corners.
The corm, leaves and seeds of Colchicum are poisonous, as they contain the alkaloid colchicine. Colchicine has medicinal use in treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine poisoning has been compared to arsenic poisoning. Ingestion can lead to burning in the mouth and throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and kidney failure.
Colchicum autumnale ( Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Lady), 15 cm high and across, produces goblet-shaped, lavender-pink flowers, which are followed by the long leaves that last until spring.
C. speciosum 'Album' has large, goblet-shaped white flowers, which are weather-resistance, follow by large, glossy leaves which last through winter into early spring.
C. agrippinum, 10 cm high, bears flowers in early autumn, producing pretty pink flowers that are heavily chequered with purple.
Among the most popular cultivars is the C. 'The Giant', 20 cm high, which bears up to five purple-violet flowers in succession. 'Waterlily', 15 cm high, has double pinkish-lilac flowers.
Cochicum grows well in sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by separate corms in summer. Pest and disease are slugs and snails, and grey mould.
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