Autumn crocus from Köhler’s Medicinal Plants / Colchicum autumnale

File-size: 5600 x 8000 Pixel. 

This digital rendering presents the Colchicum autumnale, also known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron, or naked ladies. The illustration is a stunning masterpiece sourced from Köhlers Medicinal Plants, or Köhlers Medizinal Pflanzen in its original language. This historical botanical art dates back to around 1887, making it an invaluable piece of art.

Köhlers Medicinal Plants is a renowned collection of botanical illustrations that has been treasured for generations. The attention to detail and artistic skill displayed in this rendering is a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating our natural world.

Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as the autumn crocus or meadow saffron, is a plant species native to Europe and western Asia. It produces large, showy pink or purple flowers in the fall, before its leaves emerge in the following spring. However, what makes this plant unique is its toxic alkaloid colchicine, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for various purposes. Today, it is mostly known for its use in modern pharmacology to treat gout and other inflammatory diseases. Additionally, colchicine has shown potential therapeutic value in cancer treatment due to its ability to disrupt cell division and inhibit mitosis. Despite its medicinal properties, it should be handled with caution as accidental ingestion could lead to severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, organ failure and even death.