Colchicum variegatum, L.

22. C. variegatum L. , Sp. Pl. 342 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

Corm 2-2-5 x 2 cm, ovoid; tunic dark brown, coriaceous, with a long neck. Leaves 3-4, 10-15 cm x 7-18 mm, developing after anthesis, patent, linear-lanceolate, obtuse or subacute, glabrous; margin cartilaginous, undulate. Flowers 1-3; perianth-segments 45-70x8-15 mm, strongly tessellated, deep red or violet-purple, sometimes paler or white at the base, lanceolate-elliptical, acute. Filaments 20-35 mm; anthers 6-8 mm, purplish-black; pollen yellow. Styles curved at the apex; stigmas decurrent. Capsule c. 20 mm, oblong. Flowering September to December. S. Greece. Gr. (Anatolia.) C. agrippinum hort. ex Baker , Jour. Linn. Soc. London (Bot.) 17: 425 (1879), is possibly a hybrid between 22 and 14 stated to be naturalized in some places in Britain. It resembles 22, but is distinguished by its upright leaves with only slightly undulate margins, subobtuse narrower-based perianth-segments and less pronounced tessellation.