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Colchicum luteum - Baker.

Common Name
Family Colchicaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb[200], are poisonous[4, 7, 10, 19, 65]. They cause vomiting, violent purging, serious inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and death[232]. Handling the corms can cause skin allergies in some people[238].
Habitats Stony or earthy hillsides and alpine meadows at higher altitudes[200].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Colchicum luteum


Colchicum luteum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Colchicum luteum is a BULB growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf from March to June, in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Alterative  Anodyne  Aphrodisiac  Carminative  Laxative

The corms are alterative, aphrodisiac, carminative and laxative[240]. They are used in India to treat gout, rheumatism and diseases of the liver and spleen[240]. They contain the toxic alkaloid 'colchicine' which is used externally to relieve pain[211, 240]. The dried corms contain around 0.25% colchicine and the seed about 0.4%[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The following notes are for C. autumnale. Since this plant also contains colchicine it can be assumed that it has the same uses[K]. The poisonous alkaloid 'colchicine' is extracted from this plant and used to alter the genetic make-up of plants in an attempt to find new, improved varieties[148]. It works by doubling the chromosome number[89].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich well-drained loam that does not dry out rapidly in summer[1]. Requires a very sunny position[90]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[200]. Plants can take 4 - 5 years to flower when grown from seed[164]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a seed bed or a cold frame[1, 164]. Germination can be very slow, taking up to 18 months at 15°c[164]. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to transplant the seedlings for their first year of growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer during their first summer, however, to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Prick out the seedlings once they are dormant, putting perhaps 2 plants per pot, and grow them on in a greenhouse or frame for at least a couple of years. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. The seedlings take 4 - 5 years to reach flowering size[1]. Division of the bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down[1]. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year if a quick increase is required[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan TROPICAL ASIA: India, Pakistan

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Colchicum autumnaleAutumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron,Bulb0.2 6-9 MLMHSNM031
Colchicum bivonae Bulb0.2 5-9  MNM001

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Baker.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Sandeep Kumar   Thu Feb 10 08:52:10 2005

Respected sir, your site is very informative and easly accessable,but I feel if you also attached some phtograph of crude drugs and medicinal plants for identification of the same, then it will be more informatve compresion to present status with due regards Sandeep Kumar

Link: Traditinal knowledge Digital Library TKDL is Traditinal knowledge Digital Library which have information related to Plants used in Ayurvada, Siddha and Unani.Project run by National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New delhi, India

Rajamanickam   Mon Sep 7 2009

I would like to know that, whether Colchicum luteum can grow in India. Please let me know the distribution of this plant in the all countires.

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Subject : Colchicum luteum  
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