Colchicum
Colchicum
Colchicum (pronunciation: /ˈkɒltʃɪkəm/) is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is named after the geographical region Colchis in the Caucasus, where the plant was first described.
Etymology
The name Colchicum is derived from Colchis, a region in the Caucasus, which is the area where the plant was first described. The term is used in the botanical nomenclature to refer to this genus of plants.
Description
Colchicum plants are characterized by their showy, funnel-shaped flowers which appear in autumn. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and purple. The leaves, which are usually broad and dark green, appear in the spring. The plant's corm is a storage organ, containing nutrients that the plant uses to survive the winter and grow in the spring.
Medicinal Uses
The Colchicum plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The plant's corm and seeds contain colchicine, a powerful drug used to treat gout and familial Mediterranean fever. However, the plant is highly toxic and should not be consumed raw or without proper preparation.
Related Terms
- Colchicine: An alkaloid found in Colchicum and other plants, used as a treatment for gout and familial Mediterranean fever.
- Corm: A short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ.
- Gout: A form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint.
- Familial Mediterranean Fever: A genetic disorder that causes recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation in the abdomen, chest, and joints.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Colchicum
- Wikipedia's article - Colchicum
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