Colchicum colchicum is a plant genus belonging to the Colchicum family and includes approximately 70 species. The Russian name accurately reflects the unusual development cycle of these bulbs. In early spring, leaves develop. By the beginning of summer, they die, during the same period, seed ripening occurs. Flowering begins only in the fall.
Colchicum flower has a funnel shape, its height rarely exceeds 15 cm. In some species, several flowers grow at once from one bulb, forming bunches. During this period, there is no stem or leaves, only petals,
stamens and pistils. The amazing structure has
a colchicum flower. The photo shows its different stages. The column of the pestle is so elongated that its ovary is located in the bulb.
Pollination is done by flies or bees. Fertilized ovary, protected by flesh and bulb scales, overwinter. In the spring, a few leaves are formed (up to 4 pcs.), Covering the box with seeds, located in the lower part. The leaves are oval-elongated (about 30 cm), glossy, upright. They form a rosette on a small false stem. Having developed nutrients and giving them to the bulb, the leaves die off. The box, ripening, disperses the seeds. The plant retires before autumn flowering.
Colchicum unpretentious. It grows well in sunny areas, preferring light, nutritious, loose soil. It can be planted on the south side of decorative bushes. Bulbs should be placed at a small distance (up to 15 cm), since colchicum flower can heal in rainy weather.
When to plant this non-standard plant, the question begs. Optimal - during dormancy, after drying out of the leaves. Considering that daughter bulbs are formed annually, a planting procedure should be performed every 5 years. Otherwise, flowering suffers from crowding. Planting depth depends on the size of the corms, it can be from 8 to 18 cm. It is advisable to immediately plant the divided nests in a new place.
Care for these plants is usual: weeding, loosening, watering, top dressing. It should be noted that slugs like to eat colchicum flower. To prevent this, the soil can be sprinkled with superphosphate.
All parts of the plant, including the flower, contain various alkaloids, the most toxic of which are colchicine and colchamine. The second was used in medicine, on the basis of which preparations are made that stop the development of cancer cells. Colchicine is deadly for humans; 0.02 g or 6 seeds are enough for a fatal outcome. In case of poisoning, there is a slowdown in heart activity, fever, delusional state, sharp pains in the stomach, loss of consciousness. Gastric lavage does not bring relief. Enveloping substances are needed, you need to take drinks with tannin - tea, milk, etc.
Due to its toxicity, colchicum flower is very undesirable on pastures. Ants are involved in its distribution, which take away seeds with sugar appendages. A plant grown from a seed blooms only in the 7th year, but the formed bulb reproduces its own kind. According to some reports, the abundance of some species has been increasing in recent years.
If the family has small children or pets, then it is more reasonable to refuse to plant colchicum, because it can cause tragedy.