Colchicum autumnale L., Colchicaceae. Autumn crocus, meadow saffron, naked ladies. Distribution: Europe. Extremely toxic, containing colchicine which is effective in small doses in treating gout. It inhibits mitosis so is of interest in cancer treatment. It is used to treat Familial Mediterranean fever. It induces polyploidy in plant protocorms for the production of tetraploid forms which have bigger flowers and seeds.

Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. Link

Prescription only medicine: colchicine

Inhibitor of mitosis and neutrophil motility. Contains colchicine for treatment of acute gout, Behçet’s syndrome and viral pericarditis; and prophylaxis of Familial Mediterranean Fever.

Oakeley, Dr. H.F. (2013). Medicines from RCP plants label list 5-2013.docx.

Causes vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes fatal, followed by alopecia and anaemia due to inhibition of dividing cells

Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

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