Colchicum

Colchicum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Colchicaceae. Many species bloom in autumn and contain colchicine, a potent alkaloid.

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Colchicaceae: Colchicaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes Colchicum and Gloriosa. This is the family that contains the genus.
Colchicum autumnale: Colchicum autumnale is a European species of Colchicum that flowers in autumn and bears leaves in spring. It exemplifies the genus’s characteristic autumn flowering cycle.
Colchicine: Colchicine is an alkaloid that disrupts microtubule assembly and is used to treat gout and other inflammatory conditions. The compound is present in Colchicum and gives the genus major medicinal significance.
Crocus sativus: Crocus sativus is the flowering plant whose dried stigmas are the spice saffron. It is a true crocus, unlike the poisonous plants often called autumn crocuses.
Corm: A corm is a swollen underground stem that stores nutrients and can produce new shoots. Colchicum survives dormant seasons through an underground corm.
Flowering plant: A flowering plant is a seed plant that produces flowers and encloses its seeds within fruit. Colchicum’s seasonal cycle is one form of flowering-plant reproduction.
Microtubule: A microtubule is a hollow protein filament that supports cell structure and transports material within cells. Colchicine binds tubulin and prevents microtubule formation.
Colchicum poisoning: Colchicum poisoning is toxic illness caused by ingesting plants or preparations containing colchicine. Misidentifying Colchicum as an edible plant can cause severe poisoning.
Tepal: A tepal is a flower part that is not clearly differentiated into a petal or sepal. Colchicum flowers have six similar-looking tepals rather than distinct petals and sepals.
Pollination: Pollination is the transfer of pollen to a flower’s receptive surface, enabling fertilization in seed plants. Autumn flowers must receive pollen before their aboveground structures disappear.