Colchicum bivonae -

Family:	Colchicaceae
Habit:	Bulb
Height:	0.15
Width:	0.15
Synonyms:	C. bowlesianum. C. latifolium. C. sibthorpii. Baker. C. visianii.
Range:	S. Europe.

Colchicum bivonae () is a Bulb which grows to a height of 0.15m and a width of 0.15m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Colchicum bivonae will flower in March to April. the seeds ripen from October to December
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, self

Soil Information

Colchicum bivonae will grow in medium (loamy), soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Colchicum bivonae prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Colchicum bivonae should not be planted in shady areas.

Mountainous regions in pinewood and scrub around 500m[90, 148].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich well-drained loam that does not dry out rapidly in summer[1]. Requires a very sunny position[90]. This is a very difficult species to grow outdoors because of its susceptibility to slug damage, it is best grown in a bulb frame[90]. Plants can take 4 - 5 years to flower when grown from seed[164]. Plant the bulbs about 7 - 10cm deep in July[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a seed bed or a cold frame[1, 164]. Germination can be very slow, taking up to 18 months at 15°c[164]. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to transplant the seedlings for their first year of growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer during their first summer, however, to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Prick out the seedlings once they are dormant, putting perhaps 2 plants per pot, and grow them on in a greenhouse or frame for at least a couple of years. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant[K]. The seedlings take 4 - 5 years to reach flowering size[1]. Division of the bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down[1]. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year if a quick increase is required[1].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb[200], are poisonous[4, 7, 10, 19, 65]. They cause vomiting, violent purging, serious inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and death[232]. Handling the corms can cause skin allergies in some people[238].

Other Uses

The poisonous alkaloid 'colchicine' is extracted from this plant and used to alter the genetic make-up of plants in an attempt to find new, improved varieties[148]. It works by doubling the chromosome number[89].

• Plant breeding - Used in producing new species of plants or improved varieties.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora Europaea
?
Author: ?
Rating:
Publisher : An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1964

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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