Ethnobotanical Encyclopedia
Contents	Acacia-Avena	Banisteriopsis-Bursera	Calea-Cytisus	Datura-Dorema	Echinacea-Foeniculum
Gaultheria-Ginkgo	Hamamelis-Hypericum	Ilex-Kalmia	Lachanthes-Lophophora	Mandragora-Myrtus	Nepeta-O

Colchicum autumnale-Saffron

  Saffron is a low growing ornamental plant and a member of the family Iridaceae (Iris family). It has grass-like leaves and white, pink or purple flowers. These are about two to three inches across and two inches deep. They are made up of three petals and three sepals. Together they form what is known as a perianth. Colchicum autumnale grows from a tuber in the fall. One bulb may produce up to six flowers. The plant is cultivated for its yellow stigmas. Saffron is used medicinally, for making dyes and in culinary dishes. Medicinally, Saffron is used as a diuretec and sudorific (increasing sweat and urine discharge), laxative, poison and as a sedative. The tuber of the plant contains the chemicals apigenin and colchicine.

  Colchicum autumnale prefers rich, well-drained soil in full to partial sun. Soil needs to be kept on the moist side. Propagation is by seed and division. Seeds are sown where they are to stand for their first year. Seed germimation can take up to eighteen months at sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Seedlings take four to five years before they form flowers. Division can be done in June and July after the plant goes dormant. These can then be planted six inches apart or potted two to a pot.

References

  http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/colc_aut.cfm

  http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/saffro03.html

  http://www.smart-drugs.net/ias-NADH.htm

  http://www.gardenbed.com/C/1131.cfm

Photo

  http://nic.savba.sk/sav/inst/botu/jesienka.htm