Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Liliales
Genus:
Species:
cretense
ID:
764541

Status:
valid

Authors:
Greuter

Source:
wcs

Year:
1967

Citation Micro:
Candollea 22: 246 (1967)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000763874

Common Names

  • Colchicum cretense
  • Cretan Colchicum
  • Cretan Meadow Saffron

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Description

Colchicum cretense (also called Cretan Meadow Saffron, among many other common names) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region. It has strap-shaped leaves and produces white, pink, or purple flowers in the autumn. It typically grows in grassy meadows, among rocks, and in woodland.

Uses & Benefits

Colchicum cretense is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cut flower. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments such as gout, rheumatism, and skin diseases.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Colchicum cretense has white, star-shaped flowers with yellow anthers. The seeds are small, round and black. The seedlings are thin and long with a single leaf.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Colchicum cretense can be propagated by seed or by division of the corms. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Plant the corms 5-10 cm deep and 15-20 cm apart. Seeds should be sown in autumn or spring in a cold frame. Division of the corms should be done in spring or autumn.

Where to Find Colchicum cretense

Colchicum cretense is found in the Mediterranean region, from Spain to Turkey, and in the Middle East.

Colchicum cretense FAQ

What is the scientific name of Colchicum cretense?

Colchicum cretense

What is the common name of Colchicum cretense?

Cretan Meadow Saffron

What is the bloom time of Colchicum cretense?

Late summer to early fall

Species in the Colchicum genus

Colchicum alpinum, Colchicum antilibanoticum, Colchicum arenarium, Colchicum arenasii, Colchicum asteranthum, Colchicum atticum, Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum balansae, Colchicum baytopiorum, Colchicum bivonae, Colchicum boissieri, Colchicum bulbocodium, Colchicum burttii, Colchicum chalcedonicum, Colchicum chimonanthum, Colchicum cilicicum, Colchicum confusum, Colchicum corsicum, Colchicum cretense, Colchicum crocifolium, Colchicum cupanii, Colchicum davisii, Colchicum decaisnei, Colchicum doerfleri, Colchicum dolichantherum, Colchicum eichleri, Colchicum euboeum, Colchicum fasciculare, Colchicum feinbruniae, Colchicum filifolium, Colchicum freynii, Colchicum gonarei, Colchicum graecum, Colchicum haynaldii, Colchicum heldreichii, Colchicum hierosolymitanum, Colchicum hirsutum, Colchicum hungaricum, Colchicum imperatoris-friderici, Colchicum inundatum, Colchicum kesselringii, Colchicum kotschyi, Colchicum kurdicum, Colchicum laetum, Colchicum leptanthum, Colchicum lingulatum, Colchicum longifolium, Colchicum lusitanum, Colchicum luteum, Colchicum macedonicum,

Species in the Colchicaceae family

Baeometra uniflora, Baeometra uniflora, Burchardia bairdiae, Burchardia congesta, Burchardia monantha, Burchardia multiflora, Burchardia rosea, Burchardia umbellata, Camptorrhiza indica, Camptorrhiza strumosa, Colchicum alpinum, Colchicum antilibanoticum, Colchicum arenarium, Colchicum arenasii, Colchicum asteranthum, Colchicum atticum, Colchicum autumnale, Colchicum balansae, Colchicum baytopiorum, Colchicum bivonae, Colchicum boissieri, Colchicum bulbocodium, Colchicum burttii, Colchicum chalcedonicum, Colchicum chimonanthum, Colchicum cilicicum, Colchicum confusum, Colchicum corsicum, Colchicum cretense, Colchicum crocifolium, Colchicum cupanii, Colchicum davisii, Colchicum decaisnei, Colchicum doerfleri, Colchicum dolichantherum, Colchicum eichleri, Colchicum euboeum, Colchicum fasciculare, Colchicum feinbruniae, Colchicum filifolium, Colchicum freynii, Colchicum gonarei, Colchicum graecum, Colchicum haynaldii, Colchicum heldreichii, Colchicum hierosolymitanum, Colchicum hirsutum, Colchicum hungaricum, Colchicum imperatoris-friderici, Colchicum inundatum,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-302817: Based on the initial data import
Werner Greuter (b.1938): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Greuter' in the authors string.