Pollinator plant

Autumn Crocus

Colchicum autumnale

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Common names

45 names · 36 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Autumn Crocus[3][1][2]
  • Autumn Crocus Complex
  • Fall Crocuses[3]
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (35)
Dutch
French
Armenian
  • Շնդեղ աշնանային[2]
Asturian
  • espantapastores[2]
Basque
Bulgarian
  • Обикновен мразовец[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Colognian
Croatian
  • Jesenski mrazovac[2]
Czech
  • ocún jesenní[2]
Danish
  • Høsttidløs[2]
Estonian
  • Harilik sügislill[2]
Finnish
  • syysmyrkkylilja[2]
German
Hungarian
  • Őszi kikerics[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • イヌサフラン[2]
Kurdish
Latvian
  • Rudens vēlziede[2]
Lithuanian
  • Rudeninis vėlyvis[2]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Zimowit jesienny[2]
Romanian
  • Brândușă de toamnă[2]
Russian
  • Безвременник осенний[2]
Serbian
  • Мразовац[2]
Slovak
  • Jesienka obyčajná[2]
Slovenian
  • Jesenski podlesek[2]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • acı çiğdem[2]
Ukrainian
  • Пізньоцвіт осінній[2]
Walloon
  • Cizete (plante)[2]
Welsh
  • Cróch an fhómhair[2]
West Frisian
  • Libbene deade[2]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Colchicum autumnale — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Herbst-Zeitlose — results[1].names[42]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Herbstzeitlose — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Autumn Crocus — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Meadow Saffron — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Naked Ladies — results[1].names[39]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • colchico de otoño — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchique d'automne — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchique d'automne d'Europe — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Safran des prés — results[1].names[15]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchico d'autunno — results[1].names[18]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Herfsttijloos — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
[2] Colchicum autumnale — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Herbst-Zeitlose — results[16].names[42]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Herbstzeitlose — results[16].names[2]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Autumn Crocus — results[16].names[1]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Meadow Saffron — results[16].names[3]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Naked Ladies — results[16].names[39]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • colchico de otoño — results[16].names[9]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchique d'automne — results[16].names[5]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchique d'automne d'Europe — results[16].names[16]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Safran des prés — results[16].names[15]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Colchico d'autunno — results[16].names[18]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Herfsttijloos — results[16].names[23]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Обикновен мразовец — results[16].names[6]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Безвременник осенний — results[16].names[7]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • ocún jesenní — results[16].names[8]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Jesenski mrazovac — results[16].names[10]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Kokokköl — results[16].names[11]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Gulemî — results[16].names[12]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Пізньоцвіт осінній — results[16].names[13]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Tidlösa — results[16].names[14]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • tidløs — results[16].names[17]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • syysmyrkkylilja — results[16].names[19]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Őszi kikerics — results[16].names[20]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Harilik sügislill — results[16].names[21]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Høsttidløs — results[16].names[22]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Zimowit jesienny — results[16].names[24]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Cizete (plante) — results[16].names[25]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Rudeninis vėlyvis — results[16].names[26]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Rudens vēlziede — results[16].names[27]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Azpelar — results[16].names[28]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • espantapastores — results[16].names[29]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Cróch an fhómhair — results[16].names[30]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Libbene deade — results[16].names[31]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • イヌサフラン — results[16].names[32]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • 秋水仙 — results[16].names[33]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • 秋水仙 — results[16].names[34]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Jesienka obyčajná — results[16].names[35]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Мразовац — results[16].names[36]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Շնդեղ աշնանային — results[16].names[37]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • acı çiğdem — results[16].names[38]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Brândușă de toamnă — results[16].names[40]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Jesenski podlesek — results[16].names[41]; taxon id 131586; Colchicum autumnale.
[3] Colchicum autumnale — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Autumn Crocus — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Fall Crocuses — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Meadow Saffron — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Mysteria — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Naked Ladies — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
  • Wonder Bulb — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Colchicum autumnale.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Colchicum autumnale is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Colchicaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.15–0.2 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.15–0.2 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Central and Southeastern Europe

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Colchicum species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Plant profile

About this plant

Autumn Crocus Complex (Colchicum autumnale) is a bulbous plant. It flowers from September to October.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Colchicum autumnale — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 5345824; ID WX9R; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 5345824; ID WX9R; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Colchicum autumnale — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 5, column 2, entry Colchicum species (top 502 pt)

    Source checked on .