Autumn crocus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Autumn crocus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Colchicum
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| Species: |
autumnale
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Synonyms list
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Colchicum autumnale, often called the autumn crocus or meadow saffron, is a beautiful flowering plant. It blooms in autumn and looks a lot like true crocuses. However, it belongs to a different plant family called Colchicaceae. True crocuses are in the Iridaceae family. Even though it's sometimes called "meadow saffron," this plant is not used to make the spice saffron. That spice comes from a different plant, Crocus sativus.
This plant is grown in gardens in many places because it's pretty. But it's important to know that it is poisonous.
Contents
What the Autumn Crocus Looks Like
This plant is a herbaceous perennial. This means it has soft stems and lives for more than two years. Its leaves can grow up to 25 cm (10 inches) long.
The flowers are usually found one at a time. They are about 4 to 7 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) wide. Each flower has six tepals, which are like petals and sepals combined. It also has six stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. These stamens have orange anthers. The flower also has three white styles, which are part of the female reproductive system. When the flower is fertilized, its ovary is actually underground!
Where the Autumn Crocus Grows
Colchicum autumnale is the only plant of its kind that grows naturally in Great Britain and Ireland. You can also find it across mainland Europe, from Portugal all the way to Ukraine. It has also spread and now grows wild in places like Denmark, Sweden, parts of European Russia, the Baltic states, and New Zealand.
Special Uses of the Autumn Crocus
The plant has special underground stems called corms. These corms contain a useful chemical called colchicine. This chemical is used as a medicine in many countries. It helps treat conditions like gout and familial Mediterranean fever.
Scientists also use colchicine in plant breeding. It helps them create new types of plants with more sets of chromosomes. This can make plants bigger or stronger.
Why the Autumn Crocus is Dangerous
Colchicum plants are very poisonous. This is because of the colchicine they contain. Sometimes, people confuse them with edible plants like ramsons, which look a bit similar.
It's very important to know that there is no known antidote for colchicine poisoning. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous. The leaves and fruit of the meadow saffron have the highest levels of these dangerous chemicals. This plant is especially risky for cats.
Gallery
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Flowers surrounded by other plants
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Two flowers
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Seed capsules
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Seeds
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After the rain
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Detail of flower at the United States Botanic Gardens
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Colchicum autumnale Limana, (Valmorel), Italy
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Colchicum autumnale in a meadow Lauterbourg, (Alsace), France
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Colchicum autumnale by Auguste Faguet
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Colchicum or meadow saffron, from The Book of Health, 1898, by Henry Munson Lyman
