Timeless

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The timeless (Colchicum) are a plant genus within the family of the timeless plants (Colchicaceae). The approximately 100 species are spread over large parts of Eurasia. The autumn timeless (Colchicum autumnale) is probably the most famous species of this genus; It is mainly known for its late flowering period and its toxicity.

Description

Vegetative characteristics
The timeless species are enduring herbaceous plants. These geophytes form an underground, brown to dark brown encased shoot tuber as a survival organ. At the base of the shoot tuber sit the fiber roots. The young leaves are surrounded by leaf sheaths.

Generative characteristics

One to three flowers are formed directly above the shoot tuber or on a short inflorescence. The twilight flowers are radiarly symmetrical and three-fold. The six uniform coat leaves are grown at the base and form a more or less pronounced tube. There are two circles with three stamens each. Three fruit leaves have grown into an upper, three-chamber fruit knot. There are three free styluses.

The septicidal capsule fruit contains many seeds.

Nomenclature and distribution
The genus Colchicum was established by Carl von Linné. The type is Colchicum autumnale The scientific generic name Colchicum derives from a landscape on the Black Sea, the Kolchis in today's Georgia. There is also the home of the legendary poison mixer and sorceress Medea. There is probably a connection between the legends about a poisonous woman in this region and the occurrence of the timeless species Colchicum variegatum there. Synonyms for colchicum are: Bulbocodium, Celsia nom. illeg., Abandium, Merendera, Geophila nom. rej., Monocaryum, Hermodactylum nom. inval., Eudesmis nom. superfl., Fouha, Paludana nom. illeg., Synsiphon.

In 2007, John Manning, Felix Forest and Annika Vinnersten propose that the approximately 60 species of Androcymbium (50 of them in South Africa) should be included in the genus Colchicum s.l., since, unlike molecular genetic studies, no morphological features could be found that would cause a separation of Androcymbium and Colchicum. The previous types of merendera are included in colchisum, while in Persson et al. In 2011 Androcymbium spp. are not included in the genus Colchicum. The scope of the genus Colchicum is still controversially discussed.

The genus Colchicum with its approximately 100 species is spread over large parts of Eurasia. The focus of the genus Colchicum is on Vorazione; In Turkey alone, 48 species occur, in West Asia 64 species.

There are about 100 species of colchicum:
Alpine autumnal (Colchicum alpinum, Syn.: Colchicum parvulum, Colchicum alpinum var.) parvulum, Colchicum alpinum subsp. Parvulum, Colchicum merenderoides