Miracles Of The Autumn Snowdrop

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This delicate and mysterious autumn flower is better known as colchicum or colchicum. It is surprising in that from early spring to the end of summer it pleases the eye with its juicy, beautiful leaves, which unexpectedly disappear by autumn, giving way to magnificent, touchingly delicate flowers similar to snowdrops. The fruits of the plant appear before flowers, which is also its mysterious feature

Guest from Greek Colchis

The homeland of this autumn miracle is considered to be the regions of Central and Southern Europe; it is also often found in the eastern part of Central Asia and Northern India. On the territory of our country, it is most common in the Caucasus. Colchicum has been cultivated since the 16th century. To date, about 70 of its species are known.

Colchicum is often called Colchicum autumnale in honor of the Greek province of Colchis, which is located on the Black Sea coast in what is now Western Georgia. These flowers are very common there. During the Middle Ages, because of the amazing peculiarity of the plant to form fruits before flowers, it was called "Filius ante patrem", which literally translates from Latin as "son before father". In our country, it is often called the crocus because of its late flowering.

Fruits together with leaves, and flowers separately

Colchicum is a herbaceous, perennial, bulbous plant with numerous, short stems, from which, in turn, four broadly oblong leaves develop. Large, dark brown, brown-coated bulbs extend into a long tube that wraps around the bottom of the plant. The leaves are large enough, green, shiny, elongated-lanceolate, reminiscent of the leaves of a tulip or wild garlic. Flowers are always bisexual, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped. Most often they are white, pinkish or purple in color.

In the spring, at the same time as the leaves, the crop appears. It is located low and is a three-celled, oblong round box with small round seeds. The seeds are often used in traditional medicine. The plant blooms in autumn, already without leaves. Although the breeders were able to breed blooming species in the spring.

In the spring, while all the vegetation is asleep, the leaves of the autumn crocus cover the flower beds with might and main. But, unfortunately, their age is short, and by the end of summer they die off. But in the fall, beautiful flowers appear, which are very often called autumn snowdrops, because they can bloom until the first snow. Scientists believe that such an unusual flowering cycle of a plant is mainly due to the fact that its homeland has a very arid climate.

Blooms faster with corms

Colchicum reproduces vegetatively and by seeds. Seeds are planted in the ground at the beginning or in the middle of summer, but seedlings will appear only next spring, but flowers are not less than 5 years later. Therefore, planting corms is considered the best way. To do this, it is necessary to select a well-fertilized, but light soil.

Colchicum is a perennial plant, so it is advisable to choose a convenient permanent place for it with good lighting. The bulbs are planted at a depth of about 15 cm, at a distance of no more than 20 cm from each other. In the middle of summer, the leaves turn yellow and die off - this is the best time to harvest corms. Store them in a well-ventilated dry place. Plants with an age of at least 3 years are best suited for this procedure.

For the winter, the crocus is not dug up or covered. It is resistant to a variety of pests and diseases. Only slugs are dangerous for him. Watering is desirable abundant and timely.

Contains a poisonous filling

The chemical composition of the crocus contains more than 20 alkaloids, many of which are very dangerous and at the same time useful as a medicinal raw material. The poison is found in almost all parts of the plant, therefore, when transplanting it, gloves must be worn to protect hands from burns. Even the water in which the plant has stood becomes poisonous.

Colchicum leaves very much resemble the leaves of wild garlic. It is advisable to plant both of these plants at great distances from each other. If the crocus poison enters the body, then serious poisoning can occur. At the same time, colchicum is also used for medicinal purposes: most often for rheumatism and gout. Its poison is included in medicines for skin cancer, papillomas of the respiratory tract, breast and rectal cancers.

Colchicum flowers look great as borders along garden paths, on alpine slides, on balconies, terraces, lawns and along water bodies. It is often planted in glass containers or clay pots. The flowers have a beautiful cut, and they will stand for a long time in a vase of water.