Autumn Crocus: The Meadow Saffron
Hello Weekly Whorlers! This week we get to cozy up with another late season blossom, Autumn Crocus or Colchicum. As the air continuously gets crisper and the leaves start disappearing, there is a bright spot that defies the season. Often mistaken for a true crocus, this brilliant little beauty pops up in the fall, and brings a welcoming splash of color. Lets cozy on up!
How We Got Here: The History Of Autumn Crocus
Autumn Crocus has long been part of the human history, dating back to over 3,500 years, it was mentioned first in the Ebers Papyrus of ancient Egypt, for its medicinal purposes. The name itself is a reference to Colchis, a region along the Black Sea known in Greek Mythology as the land of Medea, a sorceress who was often associated with poisons and herbs.
The Autumn Crocus is often mistaken for a true crocus due to its similar leaves and flowers, however there is one distinct difference between the two. The Spring Crocus (in the Crocus genus) has only 3 stamens, while the Autumn Crocus (in the Colchicum genus) has 6 stamens.
The bulb has been used since antiquity and is potent in a a toxic alkaloid called colchicine, which was used in medicines and famously mentioned by the Greek physician Dioscorides. In the first century, he often used it as a treatment for gout due to its strong cathartic properties.
Even though it was highly used for gout for quite some time, it wasn't until 1820 that two French Chemists were able to isolate the active ingredient, colchicine.
Interesting Uses And Meanings
Most commonly used in autumn gardens for its late season color after most other flowers have faded. It is still used today to treat acute gout attacks as well as familial Mediterranean fever, showcasing its enduring medicinal importance despite its toxic nature.
It is also used as a botanical tool, critical to plant breeding and genetics. It is used to induce polyploidy (or doubling of chromosome sets) in plants. This helps to create plants that can become hardier, larger, or sterile (like seedless watermelons)!
The symbolism associated with Autumn Crocus is typically new beginnings, hope, and unexpected joy due to its late blooming light it brings during darker days. However, there are some references to it being a symbol of deception due to its striking resemblance to the true Spring Saffron Crocus. Also since the Autumn Crocus is extremely toxic, it is seen as a symbol of peril or death.
Did You Know?
The fruit of the Autumn Crocus does not appear until the spring, after going dormant underground during the winter
The toxicity is rapid and interferes with cell division, and can lead to organ failure.
There are some theories that the Autumn Crocus is pollinated by night time visitors like moths!
It was also used for joint pain in horses.
The corm of the Autumn Crocus can stay dormant for years, only flowering when conditions are just right.
The corm can get up to the size of a Tennis Ball!
We hope you enjoyed learning a bit about the Autumn Crocus. This hardy, beautiful flower is a great reminder that there is always beauty to be found, even as the seasons change.