Genus Colchicum L. Род 156 (2). МРАЗОВЕЦ — COLCHICUM L.¹ L. Gen. PI. ed. 5 (1754) 159; Sp. PI. ed. 1 (1753) 107. Fam: Liliaceae Hall.
Genus: Colchicum L.
English Name: Autumn crocus, Meadow Saffron and Naked lady
Description:
Perennial herbaceous plants. Stem strongly shortened, only developed at the base of the bulb-tuber. Blossoms and leaves out of the strongly shortened stem, at the bottom coated with ± extended, light tinted leafless vagina. Leaves grassy flat to sulcate, linear, linear lanceolate or oblong elliptical;. Blossoms large, ringing bisexual, pink, violet or purple, rarely pale pink to white, sometimes spotted. Perianth leaflets 6, in its narrow bottom fused in ± into a long tube, sometimes at the base of the extended part of the three outer petals with two prominent ear appendages. Stamens 6, attached at the top of the tube. Anthers linear, linear elliptical or elongated, bursting along two longitudinal side strips, attached at their base or middle part to the filament past fibrous, last filamentary, thickened at its base. Ovary three-well. 3 bars, filamentary, free, only rarely fused in its lower part, on top ± erect or curved. Stigmas top, punctate or unilaterally extended. The fruit is oval or egg-shaped box that splits into three parts, at its top with a short small nose. Seeds numerous. Economic significance. Poisonous plants. Retain poisonous properties in the dried state. They are used in medicine. Many types can be used as decorative.
Table for determining the types
1 Blossomss and leaves develop simultaneously in the spring .......................................................................................................................... 2
1* The blossoms of plants grow during the autumn, and the leaves – during next spring ..................................................................................... 5
2 Perianth leaflets the basis of its free part with clear ear-like growths ......................................................................................................…... 3
2* Perianth leaflets the basis of its free part without outgrowths. Envelope tuber-bulb leathery, thick, dark brown to black to .............................. 4
3 Envelope tuber-bulb light brown, thin, membranous. Leafless vagina on top with a wide, 2 - 3 mm for webbed edge. Perianth petals narrowly lanceolate to linear lanceolate, 4 - 6 mm wide. Leaves during flowering usually 2 - 3 ....................................... 1 David saffron - C. davidovii Stef.
3* Envelope tuber-bulb brown to dark brown, dense, leathery. Perianth leaflets extended elliptical or elliptical lance, 5 - 11 mm wide. The leaves during flowering normally. 3 – 5 ……………........................................................................... 2. x x xl saffron - C. diampolis Delip. et Česchm.
4 Leaves over leafless vagina 2, rarely 3, but then the third quite short. Short hairy fruit. Petals of perianth in its free part are closely elliptic ............................................................................................................................................................................. x x x saffron - C. dörfleri Hal.
4* Leaves over leafless vagina 3. Fruit goal. Sheets of the perianth in its free part oval elliptical ................. 3. x x x saffron - C. biebersteini Rouy
5 Leaves on the edge with cartilage rim and short cilia on it ........................................................................ 6. Turkish saffron - C. turcicum Janka
5* Leaves without cartilage rim or it is unclear, but always without cilia ................................................................................................................. 6
6 Blossoms violet. Perianth leaflets in its free part 50 - 80 mm lonsg and 10 - 35 mm wide. The neck of the envelope of the bulb constitutes 1/3 of the length of the leafless vagina. ................................................................................................................. 7. x x x saffron - C. latifolium S. et S.
6* Blossoms pale pink. Perianth leaflets in its free part 40 - 60 mm long and 5 - 13 mm wide. The neck of the envelope of the bulb constitutes at least 1/2 of the length of the leafless vagina. ...................................................................................................... 5. x x x saffron C. atitumnale L.¹ developed by B. Kouzmanov and St. Kozhuharov. From: „Флора на Народна Република България”, том II, БАН, София, (1964 ) * * *
Colchicum (/ˈkɒltʃɨkəm/ or /ˈkɒlkɨkəm/[2]) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape. In this genus the ovary of the flower is underground. As a consequence, the styles are extremely long in proportion, often more than 10 cm (4 in).
The common names "autumn crocus", "meadow saffron" and "naked lady" may be applied to the whole genus or to many of its species; they refer to the "naked" crocus-like flowers which appear in late summer or autumn, long before the strap-like foliage which appears in spring.
Medicinal uses and poisonous properties
The plant contains the alkaloid colchicine which is used pharmaceutically to treat gout and Familial Mediterranean fever. The use of the roots and seeds in traditional medicine is thought to have arisen due to the presence of this drug.
Its leaves, corm and seeds are poisonous. Murderess Catherine Wilson is thought to have used it to poison a number of victims in the 19th century.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
References: „Флора на Народна Република България”, том II, БАН, София, (1964 ), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distribution in Bulgaria: (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.
Distribution:SPECIES:
Colchicum autumnale L. - Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron
Colchicum bivonae Guss, - x x x
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