autumn crocus

Colchicum autumnale L.

Autumn crocus separates its leafy and flowering lives. A cluster of broad, dark green leaves appears in spring, then yellows and disappears as the plant enters summer dormancy. Later, pale lilac to lavender-pink flowers rise on otherwise bare stems. The underground corm supports this unusual sequence, which can make the flowers seem to have arrived without a plant beneath them. Missouri Botanical Garden: Colchicum autumnale

Wear autumn crocus: explore the botanical t-shirt

Botanical name

Kew accepts Colchicum autumnale in Colchicaceae, rather than the legacy broad lily family. Kew POWO: Colchicum autumnale

Recognizing the plant

The spring leaves are lance-shaped and can reach about ten inches long. Flowering stems usually stand six to ten inches high. Despite the familiar common name and crocus-like outline, the flower has six stamens; true crocuses have three. Colchicum belongs to Colchicaceae, while Crocus belongs to the iris family. These differences are more reliable than the shared seasonal nickname. Missouri Botanical Garden: Colchicum autumnale

Bloom window

Missouri, United States

In Missouri Botanical Garden’s regional account, flowers appear in August and September, following the earlier disappearance of the foliage. Missouri Botanical Garden: Colchicum autumnale

Native range

The species is native across Europe. Kew records introductions beyond that range, including parts of North America and New Zealand, so a garden escape does not establish local native status. Kew POWO: Colchicum autumnale