Autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale ve diğer türlerColchicine, the drug for Familial Mediterranean Fever (common in Türkiye), was discovered in this flower.
What is Autumn crocus?
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale ve diğer türler) is a plant of the Colchicaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: corm and seeds (pharmaceutical industry only).
What is Autumn crocus used for?
Traditional use: Used in folk medicine for rheumatism and gout, which led to poisonings. Scientific evidence: clinical. Colchicine from this plant is still the main drug for gout and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).
Is Autumn crocus safe?
Safety label: high risk. The whole plant is deadly poisonous. Poisonings happen when its leaves are mistaken for wild garlic or leeks, or its flowers for saffron. Symptoms start hours later.
Traditional use
Used in folk medicine for rheumatism and gout, which led to poisonings. Known for the pink-purple flowers that appear leafless in autumn meadows.
It takes its name from Colchis (the eastern Black Sea coast), famous for its poisonous herbs.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Confused with the saffron crocus and edible spring crocuses (Crocus). An autumn crocus flower has 6 stamens; a Crocus has 3.
Preparation
Never prepare it as a home remedy.
What science says
Colchicine from this plant is still the main drug for gout and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Because the amount in the plant cannot be controlled, the plant itself is deadly.
Safety
The whole plant is deadly poisonous. Poisonings happen when its leaves are mistaken for wild garlic or leeks, or its flowers for saffron. Symptoms start hours later.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| People taking colchicine | The plant contains the same poison; overdose symptoms multiply. |
| Macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin), some antifungals, statins | Slow the breakdown of colchicine or increase the risk of muscle damage. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Autumn crocus.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchColchicine: an ancient drug with novel applications
- ResearchAcute poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Colchicum autumnale
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe