Colchicum bivonae
| Colchicum bivonae | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.5' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Colchicum bivonae
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a seed bed or a cold frame[1][2]. Germination can be very slow, taking up to 18 months at 15°c[2]. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to transplant the seedlings for their first year of growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer during their first summer, however, to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Prick out the seedlings once they are dormant, putting perhaps 2 plants per pot, and grow them on in a greenhouse or frame for at least a couple of years. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. The seedlings take 4 - 5 years to reach flowering size[1].
Division of the bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down[1]. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year if a quick increase is required[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a rich well-drained loam that does not dry out rapidly in summer[1]. Requires a very sunny position[3].
This is a very difficult species to grow outdoors because of its susceptibility to slug damage, it is best grown in a bulb frame[3].
Plants can take 4 - 5 years to flower when grown from seed[2].
Plant the bulbs about 7 - 10cm deep in July[1].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Mountainous regions in pinewood and scrub around 500 metres[3][5].
Usage: The poisonous alkaloid 'colchicine' is extracted from this plant and used to alter the genetic make-up of plants in an attempt to find new, improved varieties[5]. It works by doubling the chromosome number[6].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, self
Soil: Can grow in medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Early Spring-Early Summer
Seed Ripens: Mid Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb[7], are poisonous[8][9][10][11][12]. They cause vomiting, violent purging, serious inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and death[13].
Handling the corms can cause skin allergies in some people[14].
Also Known As: C. bowlesianum. C. latifolium. C. sibthorpii. Baker. C. visianii.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.