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Photo Of The Day - June 2023
- Thread starter stillcrazyman
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.. from a recent early-morning neighbourhood walk -- close view of the flowers.
Deceptive Beauty - Naked Ladies (Colchicum autumnale)
Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, or naked ladies, is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant that resembles the true crocuses, but is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae, unlike the true crocuses, which belong to the family Iridaceae. The name "naked ladies" is because the flowers emerge from the ground long before the leaves appear. Despite the vernacular name of "meadow saffron", this plant is not the source of saffron, which is obtained from the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus – and that plant, too, is sometimes called "autumn crocus".
The species is cultivated as an ornamental in temperate areas, in spite of its toxicity. The cultivar 'Nancy Lindsay' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
This plant (and colchicine itself) poses a particular threat to felines. The corms of meadow saffron contain the highest level of toxins, but all parts of the plant are regarded as poisonous.
Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, or naked ladies, is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant that resembles the true crocuses, but is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae, unlike the true crocuses, which belong to the family Iridaceae. The name "naked ladies" is because the flowers emerge from the ground long before the leaves appear. Despite the vernacular name of "meadow saffron", this plant is not the source of saffron, which is obtained from the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus – and that plant, too, is sometimes called "autumn crocus".
The species is cultivated as an ornamental in temperate areas, in spite of its toxicity. The cultivar 'Nancy Lindsay' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Toxicity
Colchicum plants are deadly poisonous due to their colchicine content and have been mistaken by foragers for Allium ursinum (ramsons or wild garlic), which they vaguely resemble. The symptoms of colchicine poisoning are similar to those of arsenic, and no antidote is known.This plant (and colchicine itself) poses a particular threat to felines. The corms of meadow saffron contain the highest level of toxins, but all parts of the plant are regarded as poisonous.
Sunset yesterday Urbana IL south of town
View from Sterling Castle. Wallace Monument in the background upper left.
Thank you for the information. I've known of these for many years, though I don't grow them, but I didn't know they were so poisonous!
Plants are amazing. Since they don't have legs to run from predators, they have created toxins/lectins to keep safe from being eaten.
Pretty much right over my house this evening.
Beautiful area!!..This is in China, correct or no??
What area(s) of Asia can I visit to see landscapes like this?
We have a home in the Philippines also, so we are not too far when we are there and not in USA.
