Autumn Crocus

Autumn Crocus; Colchicum autumnale

Theophrastus (c.371-287 B.C.) noted it to be very toxic. In the fifth century (Byzantine Empire), it was used for the treatment of joint conditions. Colchicine is an alkaloid that relieves the joint pain and inflammation of gout. Colchicine is still derived from the plant itself because chemists have not been able to synthesize it inexpensively in the laboratory. Though they are called autumn crocus, they belong to the lily family and should not be confused with the saffron crocus


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