colchicum cupanii Gussone
The genus includes about sixty species of perennial plants that are native to Western Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. Many species are grown as ornamentals throughout the world and the hybrids that have been created are very impressive. It is often confused with the genus crocus but which belongs to a completely different family ( Iridaceae) and is harmless and often edible unlike the cole crops which are very toxic and dangerous.
Colchicum is highly valued for its therapeutic properties and parts of the plant are used from antiquity until today, in classical and homeopathic medicine, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, especially gouty arthritis. However, all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous since it contains the alkaloid colchicine and in no case should it be used without special treatment and specialized knowledge. The symptoms of colchicine poisoning are similar to those of arsenic and around 5g is enough to cause death.
