Even the universities get mixed up about Autumn Crocus. Is the Autumn Crocus the saffron-producing Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) or the poisonous Colchicum autumnale? It really matters, because autumn is the season to harvest the early blooming saffron of crocus stamens. What's a gardener to do? Safety first: Only harvest stamens from spring flowering or fall bulbs you planted yourself. Let's put these similar-looking crocus flowers in a Garden Police Line Up to see if we can ID the poisonous Colchicum:
First suspect is Flower Number 1
Now examine Flower Number 2
And our last suspect, Flower Number 3
Did you guess right? The poisoner is Flower Number 2 -- the dangerous Colchicum. Plant crocus in full sun FAR AWAY from any edibles in your garden. It is not even a crocus, but a member of the Lily family. The crocus that will give you saffron for your kitchen? Flower Number 1. This is the Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus), one of many autumn-flowering crocuses. So, what is Flower Number 3? Bet you knew that one -- our familiar friend, the spring-blooming Crocus vernus. Enjoy all these flowers in the garden -- but only eat from ONE of them.
8 comments
I don’t know much about bees, but do know that most animals, including chickens, which I do own, are pretty good about instinctively knowing what is okay to eat, and what is not. I’m betting bees are the same.
Roxanne, I looked online and found this link to a helpful site, https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/Plants-Toxic-for-Bees.html. I do not see the crocus listed on this site. So I would say no, it is not toxic to bees.
Is colchicum toxic to pollinators? It’s planted next to wild oregano in my yard. Both flower in the fall and are frequented by local bees. My neighbors hives all died last year. We are a pesticide free neighborhood. Thank you!