Scientific Name:
Colchicum autumnale
Pronunciation:
KOHL-chik-um aw-tum-NAH-lay
Common Name:
autumn crocus
Family Name:
Colchicaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves linear, margins entire, dieback by midsummer; flowers crocus-like, pink-purple, anthers not branched, in Sept.-Oct. while leaves are absent.
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Weeping
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
< 0.1m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Fall interest, Rock garden (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Google. Popular hybrid cultivars include C. 'Waterlily'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Grass-like
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Yellow
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Truncate
Bases:
Acute
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Colour (petals):
Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Fruit Colour:
Fruiting Time:
Bark or Stem Colour:
Pest Susceptibility:
(Drought tolerant)
