Colchicum bivonae

801_7647 [Colchicum bivonae]

302_1967_Colchicum bivonae]

Colchicum bivonae is an autumn-flowering plant

that blooms from early September to mid-November

in mountainous regions (300-1300 m) of Italy, the Balkans and Greece

(but not in Crete or the Cyclades islands).

 

It becomes 10-15 cm tall

and produces beautiful, purplish-pink flowers

which grow single or in clusters of up to 6-7

with their leaves developing later in Spring.

Their long tepals (50-60 mm) are arranged in the form of a cup

and offer a beautiful sight.

 

Beautiful flower but also highly poisonous

due to the toxic chemical colchicine

that exists in all parts of the plant:

the leaves, the flower and especially in the bulb.

 

Still, one of my favorites!