|
|
|
Autumn crocus
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The autumn crocus or meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) is beautiful but very poisonous plant grows in moisty meadows in mountains. I took this picture in the Male Pieniny Mountains.
The extreme toxicity of this plant has been known since the times of ancient Greece, but in the fifth century, herbalists in the Byzantine Empire discovered it could be used to treat rheumatism and arthritis, and the Arabs began to use it for gout. The useful active ingredient in the plant is an alkaloid called colchicine, which is still used to treat gout and which has anticancer properties.
There is an old legend telling about a mystical land called Colchis. It was where famous poisoners lived. In a secret garden, full of poisonous plants and herbs, grew a magic plant, the favorite flower of the most beautiful poisoner Medea.
Zimowit jesienny (Colchicum autumnale):
Zgodnie z grecką legendą zimowity powstały z magicznego napoju mitycznej czarodziejki Medei, którego kilka kropel upadło na ziemię Kolchidy – krainy u podnóża Kaukazu. Krople te zamieniły się w kwiaty zimowita. Od Kolchidy bierze się łacińska nazwa zimowita: „colchicum”. |
red45 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
Hi Andrzej,
thanks for this wonderful flowers. The colours are so marvelous. I havn't known, that a crocus also grows in autumn. I have seen the same in Italy in September and first I thought, they've been of plastic. Now I know more, thanks for your informative note. I can learn so many wonderful things on TN, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda
- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30243) - [2005-10-21 7:30]
-
Hej Andrzej, ale sie zgralismy ;-) Nie ogladajac poprzednich zdjec, wlasnie wyslalem przed chwila ten sam kwiat! Piekne, nasycone kolory i bardzo ladna kompozycja!
