species 19,086 observations
Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Field notes
Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, naked boys or naked ladies, is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant that resembles the true crocuses, but is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae, unlike the true crocuses, which belong to the family Iridaceae. It is called "naked boys/ladies" because the flowers emerge from the ground long before the leaves appear. Despite the vernacular name of "meadow saffron", this plant is not the source of saffron, which is obtained from the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus – and that plant, too, is sometimes called "autumn crocus".
The species is cultivated as an ornamental in temperate areas, in spite of its toxicity. The cultivar 'Nancy Lindsay' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Herbaceous plants
- Light
- Full sun Part shade
- Moisture
- Well drained Moist
- Drought tolerant
- Yes
- Resists
- Rabbits
- Habit
- Erect
From NC State Extension.