Colchicum: The Naked Ladies of Autumn
My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been drawn to the unusual and unexpected in the natural world. So, when I first encountered the Colchicum genus, I was immediately captivated. These fascinating plants, often referred to as “naked ladies” or “autumn crocuses,” possess a unique beauty and a touch of mystery that sets them apart in the floral kingdom.
What Makes Colchicum Special?
Colchicum belongs to the Colchicaceae family and is native to regions across West Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean coast, and even down to South Africa. What distinguishes this genus is its peculiar growth cycle. Unlike most flowering plants, Colchicum blooms in the autumn, often sending up its vibrant blossoms before any leaves appear. This characteristic has earned them the moniker “naked ladies,” as the flowers seem to emerge bare from the ground.
The flowers themselves are typically goblet-shaped or crocus-like, showcasing a range of colors from delicate pinks and purples to bold whites and yellows. They possess a delicate beauty that contrasts with the often fading landscape of autumn. After the flowers fade, the leaves emerge, persisting through the winter and dying back in the spring. This unique life cycle is an adaptation to their native environments, allowing them to take advantage of the autumn rains and store energy for the following year.
A Diverse Genus
The Colchicum genus boasts a remarkable diversity, with over 160 recognized species. Each species possesses its own unique charm and characteristics:
- Colchicum actupii Fridl.
- Colchicum albanense (Schönland) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum × alberti Regel
- Colchicum albomarginatum (Schinz) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum alpinum DC.
- Colchicum amphigaripense (U.Müll.-Doblies, Weiglin, M.Gottlieb & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum androcymbioides (Valdés) K.Perss.
- Colchicum antepense K.Perss.
- Colchicum antilibanoticum Gomb.
- Colchicum arenarium Waldst. & Kit.
- Colchicum arenasii Fridl.
- Colchicum asteranthum Vassiliades & K.M.Perss.
- Colchicum asteroides (J.C.Manning & Goldblatt) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum atticum Spruner ex Tommas.
- Colchicum austrocapense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum autumnale L.
- Colchicum balansae Planch.
- Colchicum baytopiorum C.D.Brickell
- Colchicum bellum (Schltr. & K.Krause) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum bivonae Guss.
- Colchicum boissieri Orph.
- Colchicum buchubergense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum bulbocodium Ker Gawl.
- Colchicum burchellii (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum burkei (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum burttii Meikle
- Colchicum capense (L.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum cedarbergense (U.Müll.-Doblies, Hähnl., U.U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum chalcedonicum Azn.
- Colchicum chimonanthum K.Perss.
- Colchicum chlorobasis K.Perss.
- Colchicum cilicicum (Boiss.) Dammer
- Colchicum circinatum (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum clanwilliamense (Pedrola, Membrives & J.M.Monts.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum confusum K.Perss.
- Colchicum corsicum Baker
- Colchicum crenulatum (U.Müll.-Doblies, E.G.H.Oliv. & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum cretense Greuter
- Colchicum crispum (Schinz) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum crocifolium Boiss.
- Colchicum cruciatum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum cupanii Guss.
- Colchicum cuspidatum (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum davisii C.D.Brickell
- Colchicum decaisnei Boiss.
- Colchicum decipiens (N.E.Br.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum doerfleri Halácsy
- Colchicum dolichantherum K.Perss.
- Colchicum dregei (C.Presl) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum eghimocymbion (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum etesionamibense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum euboeum (Boiss.) K.Perss.
- Colchicum eucomoides (Jacq.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum europaeum (Lange) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum exiguum (Roessler) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum fasciculare (L.) R.Br.
- Colchicum feinbruniae K.Perss.
- Colchicum fharii Fridl.
- Colchicum figlalii (Varol) Parolly & Eren
- Colchicum filifolium (Cambess.) Stef.
- Colchicum freynii Bornm.
- Colchicum gonarei Camarda
- Colchicum gracile K.Perss.
- Colchicum graecum K.Perss.
- Colchicum gramineum (Cav.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum greuterocymbium (U.Müll.-Doblies, Raus & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum guessfeldtianum Asch. & Schweinf.
- Colchicum hantamense (Engl. ex Diels) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum haynaldii Heuff.
- Colchicum heldreichii K.Perss.
- Colchicum henssenianum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum hierosolymitanum Feinbrun
- Colchicum hierrense (A.Santos) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum hirsutum Stef.
- Colchicum hughocymbion (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum hungaricum Janka
- Colchicum huntleyi (Pedrola, Membrives, J.M.Monts. & Caujapé) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum imperatoris-friderici Siehe ex K.Perss.
- Colchicum inundatum K.Perss.
- Colchicum irroratum (Schltr. & K.Krause) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum kackarense Rukšāns & Zubov
- Colchicum karooparkense (U.Müll.-Doblies, Daber, J.M.Anderson & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum kesselringii Regel
- Colchicum knersvlaktense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum kotschyi Boiss.
- Colchicum kunkelianum (U.Müll.-Doblies, P.Hirsch, Stearn & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum kurdicum (Bornm.) Stef.
- Colchicum laetum Steven
- Colchicum lagotum K.Perss.
- Colchicum leistneri (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) C.Archer
- Colchicum leptanthum K.Perss.
- Colchicum lingulatum Boiss. & Spruner
- Colchicum longifolium Castagne
- Colchicum longipes (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum lusitanum Brot.
- Colchicum luteum Baker
- Colchicum macedonicum Košanin
- Colchicum macrophyllum B.L.Burtt
- Colchicum manissadjianii (Azn.) K.Perss.
- Colchicum maraschicum E.Kaya & Özhatay
- Colchicum melanthioides (Willd.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum micaceum K.Perss.
- Colchicum micranthum Boiss.
- Colchicum minutum K.Perss.
- Colchicum montanum L.
- Colchicum multiflorum Brot.
- Colchicum munzurense K.Perss.
- Colchicum nanum K.Perss.
- Colchicum natalense (Baker) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum neapolitanum (Ten.) Ten.
- Colchicum orienticapense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum palaestinum (Baker) C.Archer
- Colchicum paranquei (Fridl. & M.Pignal) Fridl. & J.-M.Tison
- Colchicum parlatoris Orph.
- Colchicum parnassicum Sart., Orph. & Heldr.
- Colchicum paschei K.Perss.
- Colchicum peloponnesiacum Rech.f. & P.H.Davis
- Colchicum persicum Baker
- Colchicum poeltianum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum polyphyllum Boiss. & Heldr.
- Colchicum praeirroratum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum psammophilum (Svent.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum pulchellum K.Perss.
- Colchicum pusillum Sieber
- Colchicum raddeanum (Regel) K.Perss.
- Colchicum rausii K.Perss.
- Colchicum rechingeri (Greuter) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum ritchii R.Br.
- Colchicum robustum (Bunge) Stef.
- Colchicum roseum (Engl.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum sanguicolle K.Perss.
- Colchicum scabromarginatum (Schltr. & K.Krause) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum schimperi Janka ex Stef.
- Colchicum schimperianum (Hochst.) C.Archer
- Colchicum serpentinum Woronow ex Miscz.
- Colchicum sfikasianum Kit Tan & Iatroú
- Colchicum sieheanum Hausskn. ex Stef.
- Colchicum soboliferum (C.A.Mey.) Stef.
- Colchicum speciosum Steven
- Colchicum stevenii Kunth
- Colchicum stirtonii (U.Müll.-Doblies, Raus, Weiglin & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum striatum (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum swazicum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
- Colchicum trigynum (Steven ex Adams) Stearn
- Colchicum triphyllum Kunze
- Colchicum troodi Kotschy
- Colchicum tulakii Giannakis, Tsiftsis & Elefth.
- Colchicum tunicatum Feinbrun
- Colchicum turcicum Janka
- Colchicum tuviae Feinbrun
- Colchicum umbrosum Steven
- Colchicum undulatum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum vanjaarsveldii (U.Müll.-Doblies, Hähnl., U.U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum varians (Freyn & Bornm.) Dyer
- Colchicum variegatum L.
- Colchicum villosum (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum volutare (Burch.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum walteri (Pedrola, Membrives & J.M.Monts.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum wendelboi K.Perss.
- Colchicum woronowii Bokeriya
- Colchicum worsonense (U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
- Colchicum zahnii Heldr.
A Touch of Caution
While Colchicum species are undeniably beautiful, it’s important to remember that they contain the alkaloid colchicine, which is highly toxic to both humans and animals. Ingestion can lead to severe symptoms and even death. Therefore, it’s crucial to admire these plants from a safe distance and to keep them out of reach of children and pets.
The Allure of Colchicum
Despite their toxicity, Colchicum species continue to captivate plant enthusiasts and gardeners alike. Their unique growth cycle, vibrant blooms, and touch of mystery make them a truly remarkable addition to any garden. Whether you’re drawn to their delicate beauty or their unusual life cycle, Colchicum is sure to leave a lasting impression.
As someone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world, I find Colchicum to be a testament to the diversity and resilience of life. Their ability to thrive in challenging environments and their unique adaptations serve as a reminder of the incredible power of nature. I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of these “naked ladies” and to marvel at their unique place in the botanical world.
