Colchicum schimperi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Colchicum szovitsii var. cornigerum
• Colchicum palmetorum
• Colchicum jesdianum
• Colchicum deserti-syriaci
• Colchicum cornigerum
• Colchicum velutinum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across several key regions of the Middle East and North Africa. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving into Western Asia, the species can be found growing in the landscapes of Iran. It also occupies territories within Iraq and the combined region of Lebanon and Syria. Finally, its distribution extends southward to include the territory of Palestine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Colchicum schimperi is characterized by its classification as a cryptophyte, specifically functioning as a geophyte. This life strategy indicates that the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating to underground storage organs, such as a bulb, which remains protected beneath the soil surface. As a geophyte, its regenerative capacity is centered around these specialized structures, allowing it to remain dormant during periods of drought or extreme temperatures before emerging to complete its reproductive cycle when seasonal conditions become favorable.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Colchicum schimperi is characterized by a growth habit that is primarily terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyles. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies, relying on its own structural integrity rather than utilizing external supports through obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms. Furthermore, the species functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior such as obligatory or facultative parasitism. Its ecological positioning is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic characteristics that would involve growing upon other plants in an obligatory or facultative manner.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Colchicum schimperi has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cornigerine.

Cornigerine

1. Biochemical pharmacology

Activities

Colchicum schimperi has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimitotic.

Antimitotic

1. Biochemical pharmacology