ABSTRACT
The autumn flowering crocus, Colchicum autumnale L., is a cormous perennial herb with the stem and scape remaining below the soil level. The species of commerce, C. autumnale, is grown for its ease of culture, interest, and color in the late summer garden. Too, dried corms and seeds are the source of colchicine (0.7%), causing genetic mutations, and of medicinal colchicum. The 1 to 4 sequentially developing flowers are some 10 cm across with yellow anthers; flowers are crocus-like with 6 perianth segments which forms a long tube and which arise without leaves from the corm below the surface of the soil in the autumn. Corms are planted in August or early September in well-prepared soil, some 5 to 8 cm below the soil level. Some winter protection may be needed. In England, C. autumnale has become established in fields that are removed from cultivation.
