The meadow saffron flowers from mid/late September until October on moist, nutrient-rich, sunny to semi-shady meadows, which are often found in the Lower Rhine region. Among other things, the plant is known for its extreme toxicity. All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid colchicine, the ingestion of which can also be fatal for humans at the appropriate dose. While in autumn probably no one would think of harvesting the flowers, the plant poses a threat mainly in spring when the underground tubers sprout leaves that can easily be mistaken for wild garlic. Another special feature of the autumn crocus is the formation of its seed capsule, which ripens before flowering.
Nature Photography from North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Rhine Area; provider of high quality pictures of mammals, birds, plants, small creatures and landscapes mainly from Germany and the neighboring countries. https://www.wunderbare-Erde.de German Nature-Photographer located in North Rhine-Westfalia, Lower Rhine Area; provider of extraordinary high quality pictures of.. Read more…