Colchicum crocifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Colchicum stenanthum
• Colchicum crocifolium var. lasiophyllum
• Colchicum crocifolium var. leiophyllum
• Colchicum crocifolium var. stenanthum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Liliales, it is classified under the family Colchicaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Colchicum, specifically as the species Colchicum crocifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within Western Asia. It can be found growing natively in the mountainous and diverse landscapes of Iran. Additionally, its range extends into the territories of Iraq. The species is also documented throughout the Lebanon-Syria border region. Finally, its geographical presence includes the varied terrain of Türkiye.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Colchicum crocifolium is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a cryptophyte, specifically functioning as a geophyte. This means that its regenerative organs are located underground, protected from seasonal environmental extremes by the soil. The plant relies on a specialized underground storage organ, typically a corm, which allows it to endure periods of dormancy. During its vegetative cycle, it emerges from this subterranean structure to complete its reproductive phase, often producing striking, crocus-like flowers before or during the leaf development stage. This life form enables the species to navigate seasonal shifts in temperature and moisture, ensuring long-term persistence through its ability to remain dormant and re-emerge when favorable conditions return.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Colchicum crocifolium is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural organization. As a perennial herb, it is a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not utilize any climbing mechanisms to reach sunlight, functioning as a non-climber. It is an independent organism that does not exhibit any parasitic behavior, relying entirely on its own metabolic processes for survival rather than deriving nutrients from a host. Furthermore, the plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, growing directly in the soil rather than functioning as an epiphyte on other vegetation.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Colchicum crocifolium has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Demecolcine, (-)-colchicine.

(-)-Demecolcine

1. Natural product research
2. Die Pharmazie

(-)-colchicine

1. Natural product research
2. Die Pharmazie