Home > Herbs > Colchicum

Men-in-a-Boat

Colchicum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (12 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Men-in-a-Boat, scientifically known as Colchicum, is a genus of flowering plants renowned for its potent medicinal properties. Primarily containing the alkaloid colchicine, it is used clinically to treat acute gout and certain inflammatory conditions. However, extreme caution is required due to its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window.

Family
Colchicaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Seed
Common names
Men-In-A-Boat · Naked Ladies · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Geophila · Erythrostictus · 9 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Colchicum

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Cólquico
  • colchicos

German:

  • Zeitlose
  • Merendera
  • Zeitlosen
  • Zeitlose
  • Zeitlosen

French:

  • colchique
  • Colchique
  • Colchiques et androcymbiums

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. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Colchicum.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Liliales
Family Colchicaceae
Genus Colchicum

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a notable presence across various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, its range includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It is also widely documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species can be found growing within the landscapes of Sweden. Finally, its distribution extends into Middle Europe, where it is present in Austria.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Netherlands

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Colchicum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Plant parts reported in Colchicum
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Seed 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Seed

  1. Planta medica

Chemicals

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

Chemicals reported in Colchicum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
colchicine 4 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆

colchicine

  1. Planta medica
  2. Journal of the American Chemical Society
  3. Nature
  4. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Conditions

Colchicum has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Familial Mediterranean Fever, familial Mediterranean fever, gout, gouty arthritis, sciatica.

Conditions investigated for Colchicum
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Familial mediterranean fever 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Familial mediterranean fever 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gout 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gouty arthritis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Sciatica 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Tumor 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Familial mediterranean fever

  1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Familial mediterranean fever

  1. Journal of the American Chemical Society

Gout

  1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Gouty arthritis

  1. Journal of the American Chemical Society

Sciatica

  1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Tumor

  1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Preparations

Colchicum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include molded tablets, seed extracts.

Preparations reported for Colchicum
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Molded tablets 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Seed extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Molded tablets

  1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Seed extracts

  1. Planta medica