Colchicum alpinum

Alpine meadow saffron ( Colchicum alpinum)

The Alpine meadow saffron ( Colchicum alpinum ) is a flowering plant in the genus of the Timeless ( Colchicum ) in the family of Timeless plants ( Colchicaceae ).

Features

The Alpine Autumn crocus is a perennial bulbous plant, reaches the heights of growth 5-8 inches. The 2 to 3 leaves measure 8 to 15 × 0.2 to 1.4 centimeters. The 1-2 flowers are narrow campanulate to funnel-shaped. The anthers are 2-3 mm long. The Perigonzipfel are narrow verkehrteilanzettlich, purple pink and sometimes white. The scar is punctiform.

The flowering period extends from August to September.

Occurrence

The Alpine Meadow Saffron comes in the Alps, the Apennines, in Corsica and Sardinia on dry mountain meadows at altitudes up to 1800 meters.

Colchicum alpinum inside in Les Grandes Rousses ( French Alps )

Colchicum alpinum inside in Val Ferret (Swiss Alps)

Colchicum alpinum in a collection Garden

Leaves and seed pod in the spring

Use

The Alpine Meadow Saffron is rarely used as an ornamental plant.

Documents

• Corner Hardt J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.