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Colchicum autumn. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Autumn colchicum, Colchicum autumnale. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Colchicum

Family: Liliaceae (Liliaceae)

Origin: Europe, North Africa, West Asia

Area: Colchicum autumn grows in Europe, from Scotland and Ireland to the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in North Africa and Western Asia.

Chemical composition: The plant contains the alkaloid colchicine, which is used medicinally to treat gout and other conditions. In addition, the plant contains other biologically active substances such as colchicine and liquoricin.

Economic value: Colchicum autumn is widely used in landscape design and landscaping of parks and gardens due to its bright colors. However, it should be remembered that the plant is poisonous, and eating it can be hazardous to health. The plant is also used in medicine, however, when using it as a medicine, care must be taken and the doctor's recommendations should be followed.

Legends and myths: In medieval Europe, autumn colchicum was used to create love potions. The plant was considered an aphrodisiac and was used in magical rituals to attract love and passion. Colchicum autumn is considered a symbol of autumn and wilting, as it blooms after the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. Its use in decorating artificial bouquets and flower arrangements stems from the belief in its ability to bring a sense of peace and embrace the past. In the culture of some cultures, autumn colchicum is also associated with the cycle of life and death. Its use in religious rituals stems from the belief in its ability to represent the transient nature of life.

Autumn colchicum, Colchicum autumnale. Description, illustrations of the plant

Autumn colchicum, Colchicum autumnale. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Autumn colchicum is a species of herbaceous bulbous poisonous plants from the Colchicum genus of the Colchicum family (Colchicaceae).

Colchicum autumn - bulbous perennial plant. The corms are oblong, convex on one side, and almost flat on the other, up to 7 cm long and 3 cm in diameter, covered with dry dark brown sheaths of dead leaves, elongated into a tube at the top. In spring, the corm, breaking through the sheaths, stretches in length and develops green leaves above the ground, and the fertilized ovary ripens, turning into a fruit - a box.

At the base of the tuber there is a bud that grows into the shoot of the current year; this shoot gives rise to a tuber that blooms the next autumn, and the old tuber, together with the elongated stem, dies off by autumn after the fruit ripens. Below, on the developing and flowering shoot, there are two underdeveloped leaves (sheaths), and above them are hidden several green still underdeveloped leaves; in the sinus of the lower (first) of them there is a very small bud that develops into a shoot of the next year; the stem knee between the first and second green leaf thickens into a tuber.

The flower (mostly one) develops in the axil of the upper leaf, and the tip of the shoot dies off. Perianth without spots (and if slightly spotted, the anthers are yellow). Stigma on one side of style, distinct. The columns are somewhat thickened. After fruiting, the entire flowering stem dries up, with the exception of one of its lower knees (internodes), which has taken the form of a thick cone. The leaves are three to four, on a short stem, glabrous, fleshy, shiny, oblong-lanceolate, 25-40 cm long and 2-4 cm wide.

The flowers are one to three, with a simple perianth perianth. The limb of the perianth is six-parted, funnel-bell-shaped, up to 6 cm in length. The perianth tube is trihedral, 20-25 cm long, protruding 8-10 cm above the ground, the perianth lobes are lilac-pink, elliptical, obtuse, pubescent inside. There are six stamens, they are opposite to the perianth lobes. Pistil with an upper three-celled ovary hidden in the underground part of the perianth tube; columns, three of them, equal in length to stamens, free, filiform, ending in thickened and outwardly bent stigmas. Blooms in August - September; during flowering, the plant has no leaves.

The fruit is an ovate-oblong, pointed, three-celled, multi-seeded capsule, 3-4 (5) cm long, opening along the partitions to the middle. Seeds are dark brown, almost spherical, about 2,5 mm in diameter, with a white fleshy seed. The fertilized ovary hibernates and develops underground. In the spring of next year, the box, along with the leaves, is brought to the surface of the soil. The seeds ripen in June, after which the aerial part of the plant dies off and the colchicum is in a state of visible dormancy before flowering. By this time, the formation of a new daughter corm and the death of the old maternal corm. Usually there is one or two daughter corms, rarely more.

Bulbs and seeds, and to a lesser extent, flowers of the wild autumn colchicum are used for medical purposes, in particular, as a medicine for leukemia, post-infectious nephritis, asthma, colchicine - for the treatment of gout.

Based on the ability of colchicine to suppress cell division, we studied the antitumor effect of a number of alkaloids isolated from autumn colchicum. In an experiment on models of malignant tumors, colchicine turned out to be inactive, apparently due to the proximity of toxic and therapeutic doses. In large doses, colchicine causes depression of the general condition of animals, changes in the tissue of the hematopoietic organs, resulting in the development of leukopenia. Gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea) are also found. Colchicine in an experiment on mice and rabbits has an abortive effect.

Colchicine is used to study polyploidy in plants due to its ability to influence the chromosomal apparatus of the cell nucleus of germinating seeds.

In Greece and Germany, as well as - in the form of an experiment - in France and Indonesia, it is grown artificially as a medicinal raw material.

It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, notable for its late flowering, when there are almost no bright flowering plants left in gardens and parks. In this regard, it is introduced almost everywhere in the world in the temperate zone. However, it should be remembered that all parts of the plant, especially damaged bulbs, are poisonous, and flower growers should handle them with care, always wearing gloves.

It usually grows in wet meadows. The natural range of the species is almost all of Europe (except Scandinavia).

Autumn colchicum, Colchicum autumnale. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• Treatment of gout and rheumatism: prepare an infusion of 1 teaspoon of dried autumn colchicum flowers in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 1 hour, then strain and drink 1 tablespoon of the infusion 3 times a day before meals.
• Treatment of prostatitis: prepare an infusion of 1 teaspoon of dried autumn colchicum flowers in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 2-3 hours, then strain and drink 1 tablespoon of the infusion 3 times a day.
• Treatment for insomnia: prepare an infusion of 1 teaspoon of dried autumn colchicum flowers in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 1 hour, then strain and drink 1 tablespoon of the infusion before going to bed.

Cosmetology:

Colchicum autumn is a poisonous plant, and its use in cosmetology is not recommended.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Autumn colchicum, Colchicum autumnale. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Autumn colchicum (Colchicum autumnale) is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It has beautiful lavender-pink flowers and blooms in mid-autumn.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing autumn colchicum:

Cultivation:

• Colchicum autumn prefers partial shade or shade and well-drained soil with good ventilation. It can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy and clayey, but it prefers light, sandy soil with neutral to slightly acidic acidity.
• Colchicum autumn is best planted in early autumn. Dig a hole about twice as deep and wide as the size of the bulb. Add some sand to the bottom of the hole and mix it into the soil. Place the bulb in the center of the hole and fill in the soil, carefully trampling around the bulb. The recommended spacing between bulbs is 10 to 15 cm.
• Colchicum autumn does not require pruning, but you can remove damaged or diseased leaves or flowers.

Workpiece:

• You can use autumn colchicum flowers in bouquets.
• Cut flowers in the early morning or late evening when they are at their best.
• Flowers can also be used to create decorative compositions.

Storage:

• Colchicum bulbs can be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. Store them in an airtight container or bag to prevent oxygen from entering, which can lead to mold or rot.
• Bulbs should be stored at 10 to 15°C.

Colchicum autumn is a beautiful plant that is great for decorating gardens, landscapes and parks. It can also be used for decorative purposes such as bouquets or arrangements.

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