Main species of autumn crocus

An autumn crocus flower is a perennial herb, another name for which is kolhikum. This plant - a representative of the family of the autumn crocus, a kind of flowering perennials. The most common colchicum in Asia (center and west), Africa (north), Europe, the Mediterranean. More than 60 types of flower are now known and described. Kolhikum - a flower with a short thin stalk, leaves of the autumn crocus bright green, lanceolate, elongated. The leaves develop in the spring, and die off by the summer. The lower part of the plant is covered with a tube, which is formed from a corm covered with a brown shell. Flowers and perianth grow together and fold into a funnel-shaped long flower (up to 20 cm).

Usually an autumn crocus blooms in autumn, but there are spring flower species. In this article, we will take a closer look at the types of autumn-flowering and spring-flowering crocus.

Spring flowering colchicum

Spring colchicum - almost exotic flowers. They differ in that the growth of leaves begins simultaneously with the flowering process. The peak of flowering falls on May, at the beginning of summer fructification begins, and the flowers wither. Let us consider in more detail the most popular types of colchicum that bloom in spring.

Kolhikum Ankarsky (Bieberstein or three-leaf)

Colchicum ancyrense is a rare perennial plant that is most widespread in the Black Sea areas, namely in the Crimea and some regions of Moldova. It is not only one of the rarest species, but also one of the earliest species of autumn crocus. Kolkhikum Ankarsky - a tuberous plant. From one tuber can appear up to eight colors. Three-leafed this species was named for the fact that the flower is surrounded by three lanceolate elongated leaves. Flower height 10-15 cm.Color petals lilac-pink. This autumn crocus blooms in early spring, flowering lasts 10-12 days, and then the flower dies off with the leaves.

Kolhikum Hungarian

Colchicus Hungarian - spring flowering species, which was first described 20 years ago by Antoine Hog. It is a perennial herb on a short stem with elongated lanceolate leaves, pubescent along the edge. The flowers can be painted white, pale pink or purple. Flowers have contrasting anthers. Bloom in early spring. Leaves appear and wither with flowers.

Kolhikum water-loving

Kolhikum water-loving - a plant that blooms in early spring and summer is already dying. This plant grows up to 10-20 cm. 4 to 8 flowers appear from one bulb. Petals grow up to 2-3 cm in length and are bent slightly outwards. Along with the leaves, immediately after the snow melts, sharp lanceolate leaves appear. Flowers pink, purple, white and pink or purple.

Kolhikum yellow

Colchicum luteum or autumn crocus yellow was first described by I. Baker in 1874. The basis was taken information collected by Thomas and Kashmir. This is a herb with a short stem. The leaves of this species are linear, appear in the process of flowering. On one stalk is usually a single flower, but in some cases they may be 2-3. Flower petals narrow, elongated bright yellow or golden yellow. The flower begins to bloom at the end of March, and this period continues until the beginning of July. Widely distributed in Kazakhstan.

Kolhikum puchkovaty

Colchicum colchicum (Colchicum fasciculare) is most often found in the northern part of Libya, in Lebanon and Israel. Kolhikum puchkovaty - herbaceous plant 10-20 cm in height. The leaves are grooved, lanceolate, pointed closer to the tip. The length of the leaves can coincide with the length of the stem and reach 20 cm. The flowers are collected in bunches of several pieces, can be painted in pale pink or white. Flowers and leaves appear at the same time, immediately after the snow has melted.

Kolhikum Regel

The evergreen Regel has been known in culture since 1881, but it came to Europe in 1905. This species blooms immediately after the snow melts.

Kolkhikum Regel is a perennial herb 10-25 cm tall. Leaves with a blunt end, lanceolate. In the process of vegetation and flowering, they change their size. At the beginning of flowering - 1-2 cm, and at the end of the growing season - 7-10 cm. The leaves are narrow, the maximum width is 1 cm. The flowers are funnel-shaped, up to four can be placed on one stem. Flowers white, the outer side with a red or purple stripe. In the center of the flower - specks of yellow.

Autumn flowering colchicum

Autumn types of autumn crocus are more common among flower growers than spring ones. The most valuable characteristic of autumn-flowering autumn crocus is that this plant blooms when most flowers have bloomed. There are many types of autumn flowering colchicum. More about them talk further.

Kolhikum Agrippa (motley)

Colchicum agrippinum is the most widespread plant in Asia Minor. The flower can grow up to 40 cm in height. The corm is egg-shaped, 2 cm in diameter. Three or four leaves of a saturated green color of a lanceolate form, elongated, like in all autumn crocuses, slightly wavy. Flowers of purple are placed on 1-3 pieces. on one stalk.The leaves appear in mid-spring, and flowering begins in late summer and lasts until mid-autumn.

Kolhikum Bornmühler

Kolhikum Bornmullera - wildly growing flower, most often found in Syria, Iran, Asia Minor. It was brought to culture in the 19th century by I. Bornmüller. This species is characterized by especially large flowers that grow 12-15 cm with a tube in height and 8 cm in diameter. They are pink, purple at the base. This species is considered to be late-flowering (it blooms in September and ends flowering with frosts). This species has many varieties, some of which are distinguished by particularly large flowers and without a purple color at the base.

Kolhikum magnificent

Colchicum magnificent is most often found in the Caucasus (in the west and east), in Turkey and in the north of Iran. Kolhikum is a magnificent perennial tuberous herbaceous plant, which in adulthood reaches 50 cm in height. The leaves are very large - 30 cm long and about 6 cm wide, bright green in color, die off in early summer. On one shoot from one to three flowers of lilac-pink color can be placed.This species has been known since 1874 and became the ancestor of most hybrid forms.

This species is becoming less common and is used for the extraction of kolkhamin for industrial purposes.

Kolhikum Byzantine

The autumn crocus byzantine has been known among florists since 1597. This is a decorative look, which was derived a long time ago, but was not widely adopted. Up to 12 flowers of lilac-pink color grow from one corm, whose diameter can be up to 7 cm. The leaves are wider than those of the above crops, of lanceolate form, 30 cm long, 10-15 cm wide. continues until the end of autumn, and the leaves are formed in the spring. The most popular are the white-flowered and purple-flowered forms of Colchicus Byzantine.

Kolhikum of Cilician

Cilician Colchicum is most common in Turkey, in the Mediterranean regions. The height of the plant can be from 20 to 60 cm. 4-5 sheets of dark green color, reaching 20 cm, appear from one corm. The leaves are elliptical, wide, folded.The flowers are larger than those of the Byzantine Colchicum, lilac-pink. Known since 1571.

Kolhikum Kochi

Koh Kolikum Kolchikum is a type of autumn-flowering autumn crocus, characterized by whiter flowers than the above plants. Most often found in Iran, Turkey and Iraq. This species begins its bloom at the end of summer - beginning of autumn. The flowers are small, white or light pink. The height of the flower does not exceed 8 cm. The plant is considered the most decorative.

Kolhikum motley

Kolhikum motley originally from Greece. This is a perennial plant with a height of 10 to 30 cm. The leaves can be creeping or prostrate 3-4 pieces per shoot up to 15 cm long, in some cases wavy along the edge. Flowers are placed on 1-3 pieces on the stem. They are wide open, funnel-shaped. Sometimes the tip of the petal can be twisted. Flowers can be painted in pink, purple with a lilac shade, bright red with a checkerboard pattern of color. The anthers in the center are brown with a purple tinge.

Kolhikum autumn

Autumn crocus prefers the temperate climate of Europe. Plant height reaches 40 cm, and tubers, 4 cm in diameter, pass into the neck of the flower. The leaves begin to develop in spring and die off at the beginning of summer. They are bright green color, elongated shape, can grow up to 30 cm per din. From one corm appears up to four flowers. Flowers - light purple or white. Flowering lasts 24-30 days.

Kolhikum shadow

The autumn crocus is most often found in the Mediterranean region, as well as in the Crimea, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. This species is distinguished by early vegetation, which begins in early April. Leaves linear, obtuse, 15 cm long and 2 cm wide. At the base taper. From corms with a diameter of 2 cm, 1-3 flowers of a delicate pink color appear. An average diameter of 4-5 cm, length 8-10 cm. This species has been known since 1804.

Kolhikum Fomina

The colchicum Fomin was first found in the Odessa region in the 30s of the last century. Information about the new endemic species did not appear until 1984, until one more instance was found in Moldova.The flower got its name in honor of the botanist who first described it. The autumn crocus Fomin begins flowering in late August, and this period lasts until mid-October. This flower tolerates drought. The petals are dark lilac, lilac or lilac-white, folded into a funnel-shaped flower, arranged on a thin, low stem.

Kolhikum looks great on sites, but requires some precautions. Everyone can choose a variety depending on their desires and preferences.