Colchicum

Colchicum is a perennial autumn flowering plant growing from corms with the ovary of the flower found underground and the style proportionally long. Colchicum is commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron or naked lady due to its habit of flowering in the fall and flowers appearing alone, leaves follow in the spring before the plant goes dormant. Tropical species differ from temperate ones by producing both leaves and flowers at the same time. Care should be taken with all species in the genus colchicum, they are toxic. Attention should be brought to their resemblance with crocus. Autumn flowering species of crocus exist, identify them by knowing that crocus has 1 style supporting 3 long stigmas and 3 stamens while colchicum has 3 styles and 6 stamens. Additionally, crocus corms resemble a flattened ball while colchicum corms are irregular.