Colchicum autumnale
Autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, is a perennial herb prized for its striking, bell-shaped flowers. While visually stunning, it contains colchicine, a potent alkaloid. This compound serves as a powerful medicinal agent for treating gout and certain cancers, though its extreme toxicity requires careful, professional administration.
- Scientific name: Colchicum autumnale
- Family: Colchicaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales, falling into the family Colchicaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Colchicum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Liliales | WCVP |
| Family | Colchicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Colchicum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Colchicum autumnale, is referred to by various common names across different regions and linguistic variations. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), it is known as 秋水仙, which is the same name used in Mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), the plant is commonly called 秋水仙.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 秋水仙 | Wikidata |
| wa | Coltchike | Wikidata |
| pl | zimowit jesienny | Wikidata |
| fr | Colchique d'automne | Wikidata |
| hu | őszi kikerics | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Sweden. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the British Isles, specifically in Great Britain and Ireland. Moving towards the central part of the continent, the species extends into Middle Europe. One notable location where this medicinal plant is situated is within Austria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as autumn crocus, possesses specialized structures that are central to its medicinal and botanical profile. The most critical part for pharmacological use is the underground tubers, which serve as the primary storage organs and contain high concentrations of the alkaloid colchicine. Additionally, the Colchicum leaves emerge during the growing season, contributing to the plant's overall biological function before they eventually wither.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colchicum leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Colchicum autumnale has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include colchicine, Colchicine, demecolcine, CAA, O-methylandrocymbine.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| colchicine | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| Colchicine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| demecolcine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| CAA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| O-methylandrocymbine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| esters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Colchicum autumnale has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antigout, Antimitotic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antigout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimitotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Colchicum autumnale has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gout, cancer, Behcet disease, breast cancer, colic.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gout | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Behcet disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| collagen diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| familial Mediterranean fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastroenteritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malignancies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |