Crocus

A perennial plant that has a tuber covered with a few thin or membranous scales under the ground. Its leaves resemble grass leaves. The flowers are usually 1-3 or more depending on the species, and are purple, white-pinkish yellowish in color. The flower petals are tubular, funnel-shaped at the tip and have 6 parts. Its fruits are multi-seeded. It has around 40 species spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region. About 20 of these are found in Turkey. They are generally plants that carry poisonous alkaloids. Some of the crocus species bloom in spring, while others bloom in autumn. They are also an ornamental plant due to their very beautiful flowers. The most commonly used and known medicinally is the autumn or fall crocus (Colchicum autumnale). This is a tuberous plant that blooms between August and October. Its leaves appear in spring. Its flowers are in autumn and are pinkish purple or white. The parts of the plant that are used are its seeds and tubers. Its seeds contain fixed oil, sucrose and an alkaloid called colchicine. Its tubers also contain colchicine, inulin, oil, starch and sucrose. It is a diuretic and relieves constipation. It should definitely not be used more than the recommended amount. Preparations made from crocus seeds and tubers have been used against gout for a long time. Although colchicine was once used against cancer, it has been abandoned because it is very toxic to animal cells. It is used in agriculture to obtain polyploid mutations by taking advantage of the effect of colchicine in stopping cell division. Polyploid organisms are usually conspicuous by their larger than normal size. Thanks to this method, it is possible to increase the leaf or fruit products of these economically valuable plants.