In the Italian mountain meadows in September the Colchicum flowers are blooming. They are really astonishing flowers and dangerously similar to Crocus.
Within the Genus Crocus, the Species Crocus sativus is quite important for both gastronomic and economical aspects. Crocus sativus is well-known ad “Saffron” and it blooms between October and November. The blooming period of the two species may vary due to altitude, latitude, and weather conditions.
The differences between those two genera are many, but the most important is the presence of some very toxic alkaloids in the Genus Colchicum.
The species Colchicum autumnale is particulary rich in colchicine an extremely toxic alkaloid, that can lead to a painful death if eaten (I will spare you the details, but is a really unpleasant death).
The toxic dose for an adult human is about 10 mg.
The Colchicum autumnale blooming period is usually one or two months before Crocus sativus.
Colchicine has also therapeutic applications and is used in agronomic and medical scientific research even in experimental therapies against the virus SARS-CoV-2.
Should you want to know more read https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32337546/
The morphological difference easier to spot is the number of stamens
The flowers of Colchicum have 6 stamens each
The flowers of Crocus have 3 stamens each
For further information
Crocus sativus L. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus_sativus
Colchicum autumnale L. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale
Colchicina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicine
If you are looking how to care for Saffron flower please check this link https://happydiyhome.com/saffron-flower/
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