colchicum
colchicum Lexical Profile
colchicum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of several poisonous Eurasian plants of the genus Colchicum, characterized by showy, crocus-like flowers that typically bloom in the autumn without any leaves present.
"The gardener planted colchicum bulbs beneath the deciduous trees to provide a vibrant splash of purple in late autumn."
The dried corm or seeds of the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), historically utilized in medicine as a source of the toxic alkaloid colchicine for the treatment of gout.
"Historical apothecaries carefully measured extracts of colchicum to alleviate severe joint pain, fully aware of its narrow therapeutic window and high toxicity."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although commonly referred to as the 'autumn crocus', colchicums are highly toxic and belong to an entirely different botanical family (Colchicaceae) than true crocuses (Iridaceae).
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'colchicum', derived from Greek 'kolchikon', which meant 'of Colchis'. Colchis was an ancient region on the Black Sea (in modern-day Georgia), famous in Greek mythology as the home of Medea and renowned for its poisonous plants.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.