Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Meadow Saffron:
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOHL-chik-um aw-tum-NAH-lay
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Colchicum autumnale, or Autumn Crocus, is a perennial herb with basal, slender leaves; long, tubular, 6 parted, purple-pink to white flowers that blossom in autumn (hence the common name). The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Native to southern Europe, Autumn Crocus can be found in meadows and damp woodland clearings on calcareous and neutral soils.
Autumn crocus prefers a rich, well-drained loam in a sunny position with a PH in the range of 4.5 to 7.5. It will tolerate partial shade and summer drought, but not dry soils. Plants are hardy to about -4 degrees F (-20°C) and the dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least 23 degrees F (-5°C). Autumn crocus are typically planted from corms, which should be planted about 2 3/4 to 4 inches (7 - 10cm) deep. Divide the bulbs in June or July when the leaves have died down. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year for a quick increase. The Autumn crocus is also easily grown in grass and can be naturalized there, among shrubs, and by woodland edges. When grown from seed, the seedlings take 4 to 5 years to reach flowering size. The plants seem to be immune to damage from rabbits.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious diseases. Slugs may attack the corms. Fungal smut may attack the leaves. Poisonous and poses a particular threat to cats.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Pleniflorum'
rose-pink double flowers
- 'Pleniflorum'
- 'Pleniflorum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pleniflorum'
rose-pink double flowers
- 'Pleniflorum'
- 'Pleniflorum'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Colchicum
- Species:
- autumnale
- Family:
- Colchicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Despite its poisonous reputation, it is sometimes used in the treatment of gout.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southeastern Europe
- Distribution:
- Britain, Denmark south to Spain, east to Macedonia. Introduced into Kentucky, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont.
- Wildlife Value:
- Noted for attracting wildlife.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought, rabbit, and deer
- Edibility:
- Highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flower stems emerge from the ground to 6 to 10 inches tall in late summer to early fall. Each stem bears a star-shaped, lavender-pink to lilac-pink flower. Fall flowers have no foliage, hence the additional common name of naked ladies.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Five to eight dark green leaves to 10 inches long emerge in spring. Foliage gradually yellows and dies by early summer when the plants go dormant.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested. Symptoms include cramping, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, respiratory failure, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression. All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb, are poisonous.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloid colchicine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems