meadow saffron/autumn crocus - what's the difference?

[leifus]

Can anyone tell me? We have some in the local wood. The wood's botanical recorder is saying autumn crocus (she's been recording for 21 years) and the wiltshire botanical recorder is saying meadow saffron.

[malantone]

Originally Posted by leifus

Can anyone tell me? We have some in the local wood. The wood's botanical recorder is saying autumn crocus (she's been recording for 21 years) and the wiltshire botanical recorder is saying meadow saffron.

As Saffron is part of the crocus flower, ie the stamen, I suppose they are both correct.
Tony A.

[ceterach]

Leifus

Meadow Saffron is Colchicum autumnale not a member of the Crocus genus. It is often referred to as Autumn Crocus however so the answer is that they are the same plant. It is complicated by the fact there are also autumn-flowering Crocus species but they are not native to Britain. The two genera are not even in the same family and if I remember rightly ALL parts of Colchicum are toxic!

Saffron is obtained from the stigma of Crocus sativus an autumn-flowering Mediterranean species!

Correction I just looked up CTW and Crocus nudiflorus is introduced in Britain in the Midlands and flowers in autumn. Looks like you will have to check their Latin names to see which they refer to.

All the best

[KeenTeen17]

autumn crocus has 6 six stamens in the flower and is purple coloured

meadow saffron has 3 orange stamens and is fleshy coloured

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

autumn crocus has 6 six stamens in the flower and is purple coloured

meadow saffron has 3 orange stamens and is fleshy coloured

Good summary, BUT I think the numbers need to be swapped. Stace says for Colchicum autumnale "Crocus-like, but with 6 (not 3) stamens and 3 simple stigmas".

Best non-WAB pictures at bioimages.

The Autumn Crocus was once very common around Nottingham. Here's an excerpt from a Notts Biodiversity Action Group document:

"Nottingham autumn crocus Crocus nudiflorus is an autumn flowering bulb, native to Southern France and Northern Spain, especially the Pyrenean area, where it is found in meadows and open woodland. Nottingham spring crocus Crocus vernus is a native of the Balkan region of the former Yugoslavia. In Nottingham, both species of crocus are regarded as ancient introductions, as the plants become naturalised before 1500. Both species have a wide but scattered distribution in the UK. They were probably introduced for medicinal or culinary reasons, and the distribution of both is strongly associated with former Monasteries. It is believed that one use of the plants was to treat malaria, which was endemic in Britain at the time, especially areas of extensive wetlands such as the Trent Valley.

In Nottinghamshire both species were abundant in meadows alongside the Trent, particularly in the Wilford and Dunkirk areas. Due to development in the late Victorian and early 20th Century, many of these meadows were lost. Both species now occur in small-scattered populations, within the cemeteries, parks, golf courses, meadows, old gardens and public open space in this area.

The Nottingham autumn crocus is unusual for species of crocus in that it has underground stems along which new corms are produced. This feature allows identification of the autumn crocus in the non-flowering state. The tall purple flowers are produced in mid August to September, hence its name the autumn crocus, with the leaves appearing the following spring. Flowering decreases as the density of corms increases and therefore, the number of flowering spikes is not a reliable indicator of actual population. It is poisonous to livestock.

The Nottingham spring crocus is genetically variable and the flowers of the naturalised populations are often composed of a range of different colour and combinations of white through to purple. In horticulture, it is known as the Dutch crocus and a number of named varieties have been bred."

Meadow Saffron is common in the Alps. I remember walking through whole meadows of it in the Lower Engadine a few years ago.

One of the poisons in Meadow Saffron is Colchicine, used as a medicine to treat gout, cancer and other illnesses.

One last confusing thing. Saffron, the spice, comes from a Crocus!

poschiavanus

[leifus]

Thank you very much everybody!! That clears it up - if a little confusing