colchicum autumnale

3 definitions found

colchicum autumnale - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Colchicine \Col"chi*cine\ (? or ?), n. [Cf. F. colchicine.]
     (Chem.)
     A powerful vegetable alkaloid, C17H19NO5, extracted from
     the Colchicum autumnale, or meadow saffron, as a white or
     yellowish amorphous powder, with a harsh, bitter taste; --
     called also colchicia.
     [1913 Webster]

  Colchicum \Col"chi*cum\, n. [L., a plant with a poisonous root,
     fr. Colchicus Colchian, fr. Colchis, Gr. ?, an ancient
     province in Asia, east of the Black Sea, where was the home
     of Media the sorceress.] (Bot.)
     A genus of bulbous-rooted plants found in many parts of
     Europe, including the meadow saffron.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Preparations made from the poisonous bulbs and seeds,
           and perhaps from the flowers, of the Colchicum autumnale
            (meadow saffron) are used as remedies for
           gout and rheumatism.
           [1913 Webster]

colchicum autumnale - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Colchicum autumnale
      n 1: bulbous autumn-flowering herb with white, purple or
           lavender-and-white flowers; native to western and central
           Europe [syn: autumn crocus, meadow saffron, naked lady
           , Colchicum autumnale]