Autumn crocus
Colchicum
Colchicum autumnale
L.—
FAMILY: Liliaceae—the Lily Family (see Amianthium)
DISTRIBUTION:
Autumn crocus is cultivated around homes and in gardens. It rarely escapes and
becomes naturalized.
DESCRIPTION:
The flowers of Colchicum are chalice-shaped, with stamens:
6; and styles: 3, long and slender. The large leaves appear
in the spring with the previous season’s seed-pod and die back during
summer.
TOXIC PARTS:
All parts are toxic, especially the bulb and seeds, Leaves are toxic at about
0.1 % of an animal's weight.
TOXICITY:
Toxicosis includes vomiting; purging; weak, quick pulse; gastrointestinal
irritation; burning pain in mouth, throat, and stomach; and kidney and
respiratory failure.
TOXIC PRINCIPLES:
The alkaloid colchicine and related compounds are responsible for
poisonings.
AFFECTED ANIMALS:
Children have been poisoned by eating the flowers; poisoning has been
reported in all classes of livestock.
TREATMENT:
Gastric lavage, emesis ;shock tjherapy; treat symptoms asw they appear,
supportive therapy.
Poison hemlock;
spotted hemlock; deadly hemlock; poison parsley
Introduction
to Poisonous Plants|Indian
tobacco|Wild lupine|Foxglove|Hedera|
Ergot|
Autumn crocus|
Conium|
Rattlebox|Moon-lily|
Mustards|
Fly amanita; fly mushroom; fly agaric|
Black nightshade|False
hellebore|Pokeweed|
May apple|Rhubarb|Poison
ivy|Castor bean|
Cannabis sativa