Colchicum bulbocodium
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bulbocodium vernum
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOHL-chik-um bulb-oh-KOD-ee-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bulbocodium vernum, commonly called Spring Meadow Saffron, is a perennial, bulbous herb with basal leaves and flowers emerging from a basal sheath. The plant is native to alpine meadows and hillsides in Europe, North Africa, West and Central Asia, North India and West China and is often cultivated as an ornamental. In late spring, it sends up a clump of basal foliage that gradually yellows and dies by summer as the plants go dormant. Naked flower stems rise from the ground to 4 to 6 inches tall in late summer to early fall bearing goblet-shaped flowers.
Spring Meadow Saffron, grows well in medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade and prefers deep, fertile soils. To grow from bulbs, plant the corms 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart in late summer for bloom the same year in the fall. You can dig and divide the plants during the mid-summer dormant period when the plant's leaves turn, but it will naturalize over time on its own.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs and snails.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Colchicum
- Species:
- bulbocodium
- Family:
- Colchicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- European Mountains to Northern Caucasus
- Distribution:
- Across Europe from France to Russia and south to the Balkans and Turkey
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
-
-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Naked flower stems rise from the ground to 4 to 6 inches tall in late summer to early fall bearing goblet-shaped flowers (to 3 inches long).
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Four to six lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 14 inches long.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested. Cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, and respiratory failure can result.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloid colchicine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
