[L.; a. Gr. κολχικόν meadow-saffron, neuter of κολχικός Colchian, of Colchis, ancient name of a region east of the Black Sea. The name had reference to the poisonous arts of the legendary Medea of Colchis, in reference to whom ‘venena Colchica’ was a common phrase of the Roman writers.]
1. Bot. A genus of liliaceous plants, the best known species of which C. autumnale, the Meadow-saffron, is found wild in some parts of England.
It blooms in autumn with a light purplish mottled flower superficially resembling the crocus. The corms, seeds and flowers contain an acrid, stimulating, deleterious principle, on account of which they are used in medicine.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, 130. Medow Saffron or Colchicum, groweth … in the Ile Colchis, whereof it tooke his name.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 211. You may stay till August or September e’er you take up … and replant Colchicums.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), II. 31. Exterminate the bulbs of the colchica.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 386. Colchicum resembles a crocus in appearance, but is known by its 6 stamens.
attrib. 1868. Royle & Headland, Man. Mat. Med. (ed. 5), 676. Colchicum Root is used fresh and dry. Ibid., 677. Tincture of Colchicum seed.
2. A medicine containing the active principle of this plant, used especially in gout and rheumatic affections.
1791. Chambers’ Cycl. (ed. Rees), s.v., The medecinal virtues of colchicum.
1834. J. M. Good, Study Med. (ed. 4), II. 304. It is possible that the Colchicum may act by a specific power [etc.].
a. 1845. Syd. Smith, Mod. Changes, Wks. 1859, II. 332/2. If I had the gout, there was no colchicum.
