Colchicum autumnale
633252
215830538
2008-05-29T21:59:56Z
Thijs!bot
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robot Adding: [[sk:Jesienka obyčajná]]
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Colchicum autumnale''
| image = Colchicum autumnale 01.JPG
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Liliales]]
| familia = [[Colchicaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Colchicum]]''
| species = '''''C. autumnale'''''
| binomial = ''Colchicum autumnale''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Colchicum autumnale''''', commonly known as '''autumn crocus''', '''meadow [[saffron]]''' or '''naked lady''', is a [[flower]] which resembles the true [[crocus]]es, but flowering in [[autumn]]. (This is not a reliable distinction, however, since there are many true crocuses that flower in autumn.) The name "naked lady" comes from the fact that the flowers emerge from the ground long after the leaves have died back.
The plant has been mistaken by foragers for [[ramsons]], which it vaguely resembles, but is a deadly poison due to the presence of [[colchicine]], a useful drug with a narrow [[therapeutic index]]. The symptoms of colchicine poisoning resemble those of arsenic and there is no antidote. Despite its toxicity, colchicine is an approved treatment for [[gout]] and is also used in plant breeding to produce [[polyploidy|polyploid]] strains.
==Danger of extinction==
On [[January 18]], [[2008]], the [[Botanic Gardens Conservation International]] (representing [[botanic gardens]] in 120 countries) stated that "400 [[medicinal plants]] are at risk of extinction, from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease." These included [[Yew tree]]s (the bark is used for cancer drugs, [[paclitaxel]]); Hoodia (from [[Namibia]], source of [[weight loss]] drugs); half of [[Magnolia]]s (used as Chinese medicine for 5,000 years to fight cancer, [[dementia]] and heart disease); and [[Autumn crocus]] (for [[gout]]). The group also found that 5 billion people benefit from traditional plant-based medicine for [[health care]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196702.stm BBC NEWS, Medical plants 'face extinction']</ref>
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Illustration_Colchicum_autumnale0.jpg
Image:Colchicum autumnale Luc Viatour.jpg
Image:Colchicum_autumnale_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg
Image:Koeh-044.jpg
Image:Colchicum autumnale 050505.jpg | Seed capsules
</gallery>
==External links==
*[http://ccforum.com/content/8/1/R56 Case report: fatal poisoning with ''Colchicum autumnale'']
*[http://homeoint.org/books/boericmm/c/colch.htm Homeopathic Materia Medica (Boericke) for Colchicum Autumnale]
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==References==
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{{Commons|Colchicum autumnale}}
[[Category:Colchicaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[bg:Обикновен мразовец]]
[[ca:Còlquic]]
[[cs:Ocún jesenní]]
[[de:Herbst-Zeitlose]]
[[es:Colchicum autumnale]]
[[fr:Colchique d'automne]]
[[hsb:Nazymska pózdnička]]
[[it:Colchicum autumnale]]
[[lt:Rudeninis vėlyvis]]
[[hu:Őszi kikerics]]
[[nl:Herfsttijloos]]
[[ja:イヌサフラン]]
[[nn:Tidløyse]]
[[pl:Zimowit jesienny]]
[[ksh:Kokokköl]]
[[ro:Brânduşa de toamnă]]
[[sk:Jesienka obyčajná]]
[[sv:Tidlösa]]
[[vi:Bả chó (cây)]]
[[wa:Coltchike]]