Colchicum 192524 197643518 2008-03-12T03:53:24Z BBKurt 4418915 {{Taxobox | name = ''Colchicum'' | image = Colchicum speciosum0.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''Colchicum speciosum'' | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Liliopsida]] | ordo = [[Liliales]] | familia = [[Colchicaceae]] | genus = '''''Colchicum''''' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }} '''''Colchicum''''' is a [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s containing around sixty [[species]] of [[perennial plant]]s which grow from [[corm]]s. It is a member of family [[Colchicaceae]], and is native to West Asia and part of the Mediterranean coast. ''[[Colchicum autumnale]]'', commonly called "autumn crocus" or "naked ladies", is the best known species. It produces purple, pink or white flowers resembling those of the [[crocus]] which appear from September to October in its native latitudes. It forms a [[rosette (botany)|rosette]] of dark green leaves, but only after flowering. Several other species, such as ''C. speciosum'', ''C. album'', ''C. corsicum'' and ''C. agrippinum'', are grown for their flowers. Its [[leaf|leaves]], [[corm]] and [[seed]]s are [[poison]]ous, containing the [[alkaloid]] [[colchicine]]. Its [[root]]s and seeds have long been considered to have valuable [[medicinal properties]] deriving from the use of small doses of this drug, such as to treat [[gout]]. In this genus the ovary of the [[flower]] is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10cm. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], the [[NCCPG National Plant Collection|National Collection]] of Cochicums is maintained at [[Felbrigg Hall]], [[Norfolk]]. == Species == *''[[Colchicum autumnale]]'' *''[[Colchicum speciosum]]'' *''[[Colchicum album]]'' *''[[Colchicum corsicum]]'' *''[[Colchicum agrippinum]]'' *''[[Colchicum byzantinum]]'' *''[[Colchicum bornmuelleri]]'' *''[[Colchicum cilicicum]]'' *''[[Colchicum laetum]]'' {{Commons|Colchicum speciosum}} [[Category:Colchicaceae]] [[bg:Мразовец]] [[cs:Ocún]] [[de:Herbstzeitlose]] [[es:Cólquico]] [[fa:سورنجان]] [[fr:Colchique]] [[he:סתוונית]] [[ksh:Kokokköl]] [[nl:Herfsttijloos]] [[ru:Безвременник]] [[sv:Tidlösor]] [[wa:Coltchike]]