Meadow Saffron
Latin name
Colchicum autumnale
Family
Colchicaceae
Other names
Naked Ladies, Autumn Crocus
Flowering season
August to September
English distribution
It is patchily scattered throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Meadow Saffron
Habitat
It grows in damp grassy places, such as meadows,
river banks and open woodland.
Description
Meadow Saffron is both native and an escape,
cormous, perennial herb growing up to 25cm.
Flowers are pale pink to mauve, up to 4.5cm and
with 6 petals.There are 6 orange stamens and
3 long, filiform styles.
The white, petal tubes are up to 20cm.
The deep green, oval to lanceolate leaves are
absent during flowering, but are found in spring,
together with the egg-shaped
fruits.
It contains colchicine, which is cytotoxic to human
cells and is toxic to livestock.
However, it may be used in treating tumors.
A modified colchicine molecule has a protein attached
to it that makes it harmless. But the tumour enzyme
specifically targets the protein and removes it.
The colchicine is then activated, and the process of
breaking down blood vessels and starving the
cancerous cells begins.
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Meadow Saffron, Somerset
Single flower
6 anthers, 3 filiform styles
White petal tubes - naked ladies