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Colchicaceae
Colchicaceae
Colchicaceae
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Colchicaceae
Colchicum autumnale
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Colchicaceae
DC.[1]
Genera

See text

Colchicum persicum in Behbahan
Colchicum persicum in Behbahan
Colchicum persicum in Behbahan
Colchicum persicum in Behbahan

Colchicaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes 15 genera with a total of about 285 known species according to Christenhusz and Byng in 2016.[2]

Description

[edit]

The family is characterized by the presence of colchicine.[3]

Taxonomy

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The APG III system, of 2009 (unchanged from the APG systems, of 1998 and 2003), recognizes this family and places it in the order Liliales, in the clade monocots.[1] It is a group of herbaceous perennials with rhizomes or corms.

The Dahlgren system and the Thorne system (1992) also recognized this family, and placed it in order Liliales in superorder Lilianae in subclass Liliidae (monocotyledons) of class Magnoliopsida (angiosperms).

Genera

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The phylogenetic classification of Vinnersten & Manning circumscribes the family as follows:[4]

Colchicaceae

The genus Petermannia F.Muell. is excluded from this family and placed in its own family Petermanniaceae, Liliales. The former controversy regarding the inclusion of Androcymbium in Colchicum has now been resolved in favor of the 2007 classification of Manning et al.[5] who included Androcymbium in Colchicum. This is supported by molecular phylogenetic studies with dense species sampling (i.e. 41 species previously placed in Androcymbium and 96 species of Colchicum) that showed that the type species of Androcymbium, A. melanthioides (Colchicum melanthioides), is more closely related to species of Colchicum than it is to many species traditionally placed in Androcymbium.[6][7]

Subsequently, Nguyen et al.(2013) proposed reclassifying the family on the basis of subfamilies:[8]

  • Subfamily Uvularioideae (distribution: Eastern Asia and North America)
    • Tribe Uvularieae (Disporum, Uvularia)
  • Subfamily Wurmbeoideae (distribution: Australia, Africa, Europe, central and tropical Asia)
    • Tribe Burchardieae (Burchardia)
    • Tribe Tripladenieae (Tripladenia, Schelhammera, Kuntheria)
    • Tribe Iphigenieae (Iphigenia, Camptorrhiza)
    • Tribe Angullarieae (Wurmbea, Onixotis, Neodregea, Baeometra)
    • Tribe Colchiceae (Gloriosa (including Littonia), Colchicum (including Merendera, Bulbocodium, and probably Androcymbium), Hexacyrtis, Ornithoglossum, Sandersonia

References

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Bibliography

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Colchicaceae

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Colchicaceae is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the order , comprising approximately 15 genera and 280 species of mostly with underground storage organs such as corms or rhizomes. These plants typically feature few to numerous linear to lanceolate leaves that are basal or arranged along the stem, and showy, actinomorphic flowers with six free or basally fused tepals, six stamens, and a superior, three-locular that develops into a capsular . Distributed primarily in temperate and subtropical regions across , , , Australasia (including and ), and parts of , the family exhibits a nearly cosmopolitan range with centers of diversity in the Mediterranean basin and southern . A defining feature of Colchicaceae is the production of phenethylisoquinoline alkaloids, particularly and its derivatives, which are compounds responsible for the family's antimitotic properties and to humans and . These alkaloids have significant medicinal value; for instance, (meadow saffron) serves as a primary natural source of , a drug approved for treating , familial Mediterranean fever, and certain inflammatory disorders by inhibiting polymerization. Similarly, (flame lily), a climbing species native to tropical and , is commercially cultivated for extraction and admired ornamentally for its vibrant, lily-like flowers. Other notable genera include Androcymbium, with species rich in colchicine analogs, and Australian endemics like Burchardia and Wurmbea, which contribute to the family's ecological diversity in and habitats. Historically classified within , Colchicaceae was elevated to family status based on molecular phylogenetic evidence, reflecting its distinct chemotaxonomic and morphological traits.

Description and Morphology

Vegetative Characteristics

Members of the Colchicaceae family are primarily herbs that arise from underground organs such as tunicated corms, rhizomes, or occasionally stolons, with that are sometimes tuberous. These exhibit a range of growth habits, including erect or scandent stems that are typically simple or branched, though they can be reduced or nearly subterranean in some species; rarely, stems may develop woody characteristics. Temperate species, such as those in the genus , generally form compact herbaceous perennials, while tropical genera like Gloriosa produce climbing vines with scandent stems that can reach several meters in length. Leaves in Colchicaceae are typically few in number and arranged basally or caulinally, often alternate, subopposite, or verticillate along the stem; they are sessile or subpetiolate with a sheathing base. The leaf lamina vary from linear to lanceolate or ovate shapes, featuring parallel venation with a prominent midrib, though reticulate secondary venation occurs rarely in certain taxa. These leaves are annual, emerging post-flowering in many species, and contribute to the plant's overall modest above-ground foliage. A defining chemical feature of Colchicaceae is the presence of alkaloids, particularly , distributed throughout all vegetative tissues, rendering many species toxic to . concentrations are highest in the corms and seeds, but detectable levels occur in stems, leaves, and roots, supporting the family's chemotaxonomic distinctiveness.

Flowers and Fruits

Flowers in the are typically bisexual and hypogynous, exhibiting regular or slightly zygomorphic symmetry, with six s that are undifferentiated between petals and sepals, often equal and free or basally connate into a tube, rendering them showy and lily-like in appearance, sometimes with spots or basal nectaries. The six stamens are arranged in two whorls, with dorsifixed or basifixed anthers that dehisce extrorsely via longitudinal slits, and filaments that are filiform, free, or adnate to the bases. The is superior, syncarpous, and trilocular with axile and numerous ovules, topped by a single style that branches into three at the apex or by three free styles, each bearing a stigma. Pollination in Colchicaceae is primarily , facilitated by the presence of that attract , though some species exhibit . In certain Southern African species, such as C. scabromarginatum and C. coloratum, serve as primary pollinators, with occasional visitation, while floral traits like nocturnal and evening support vertebrate pollination in these cases. Fruits develop as dehiscent capsules that are septicidal or loculicidal, typically three-valved, coriaceous or fleshy, and containing multiple , arising from the superior . are small, subglobose or ovoid, often brown or red with a distinct raphe, and commonly feature a fleshy that promotes (ant-mediated dispersal) across the family.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny

Classification History

The Colchicaceae family was first formally recognized by in 1805, initially encompassing genera such as and Gloriosa, though many of its members were historically classified within the broader family due to shared morphological traits like bulbous or rhizomatous growth and lily-like flowers. Early 19th- and 20th-century systems, such as those by John Gilbert Baker (1879–1898) and Friedrich Kraüse (1930), placed Colchicaceae taxa into subfamilies or tribes like Uvularieae and Anguillarieae within or Melanthioideae, reflecting uncertainties in delimiting the group based on vegetative and reproductive similarities. By the mid-20th century, botanists like Robert Folke Dahlgren (1975) and Bertil Nordenstam (1982, 1998) advocated for Colchicaceae as a distinct family, expanding it to include up to 19 genera across five tribes, supported by chemical markers like presence. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revolutionized the classification, leading to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III (APG III) system in 2009, which firmly separated Colchicaceae from Liliaceae and placed it in the order Liliales based on DNA sequence data from plastid and nuclear genes, confirming its monophyly and sister relationship to families like Alstroemeriaceae. Key revisions included the incorporation of tribes formerly assigned to Melanthiaceae, such as Uvularieae (encompassing genera like Disporum and Uvularia), into Colchicaceae, resolving paraphyly in broader Liliales clades through parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Conversely, the genus Petermannia was excluded and elevated to its own family, Petermanniaceae, after phylogenetic evidence showed it as sister to Colchicaceae-Alstroemeriaceae rather than nested within Colchicaceae. Further intrafamilial refinements came from targeted phylogenetic studies, such as Manning et al. (2007), which used rbcL and trnL-F sequence data to demonstrate that Androcymbium is paraphyletic with respect to Colchicum, prompting the merger of approximately 60 Androcymbium species into an expanded comprising about 160 species total, despite some morphological controversies. Subsequent work by Ng et al. (2014) reinforced the family's and proposed a bifurcated structure with two subfamilies: Uvularioideae, characterized by a disjunct distribution in eastern and (including Disporum and Uvularia), and Wurmbeoideae, with a pantropical range spanning , , , and (including Wurmbea and Burchardia), based on multi-gene analyses that highlighted biogeographic and cytological divergences. These divisions underscore the role of molecular data in tracing evolutionary relationships within monocots, emphasizing chromosomal and distributional patterns over traditional morphology alone.

Genera and Subfamilies

The Colchicaceae family comprises 15 genera encompassing approximately 280 worldwide. The family is divided into two subfamilies based on molecular phylogenetic analyses: Uvularioideae and Wurmbeoideae. This reflects monophyletic groupings supported by gene sequences, with Uvularioideae forming a distinct sister to the remaining genera in Wurmbeoideae.

Subfamily Uvularioideae

This subfamily includes two genera, Disporum and Uvularia, totaling around 30 primarily distributed in and . Disporum comprises about 25 of rhizomatous perennials characterized by nodding flowers and paired leaves. Uvularia consists of 5 , known for their bell-shaped flowers and perfoliate or sessile leaves on upright stems.

Subfamily Wurmbeoideae

The larger subfamily Wurmbeoideae encompasses the remaining 13 genera and the majority of the family's species diversity, with key representatives including , Gloriosa, Wurmbea, , and . , the most species-rich genus, includes 163 accepted species of cormous plants notable for autumn-blooming habits in temperate regions. Gloriosa features 11 species of climbing vines with striking, upward-curving tepals, often referred to as the flame lily for its ornamental value. Wurmbea, endemic to , includes approximately 50 species of herbaceous perennials adapted to diverse habitats. and each contain a handful of species, with the latter known for its lily-like flowers in South African . The other genera—Baeometra, Burchardia, Camptorrhiza, Hexacyrtis, Onixotis, Ornithoglossum, , and Solena—contribute smaller numbers of species, often cormous or tuberous, enhancing the subfamily's morphological variation.
GenusSubfamilyApproximate SpeciesKey Traits
BaeometraWurmbeoideae1Cormous, single-flowered perennials
BurchardiaWurmbeoideae6Rhizomatous, Australian endemics
CamptorrhizaWurmbeoideae1Tuberous, southern African
Wurmbeoideae163Cormous, autumn-blooming
DisporumUvularioideae25Rhizomatous, nodding flowers
GloriosaWurmbeoideae11Climbing, flame-like tepals
HexacyrtisWurmbeoideae1Rare, Namibian endemic
Wurmbeoideae~10Cormous, tropical/subtropical
OnixotisWurmbeoideae2Small, southern African
OrnithoglossumWurmbeoideae8Variable growth forms, colorful
Wurmbeoideae4Small corms, spring-flowering
Wurmbeoideae1Pendulous flowers, South African
SolenaWurmbeoideae2Climbers, Asian
UvulariaUvularioideae5Upright stems, bell-shaped blooms
WurmbeaWurmbeoideae50Diverse habits, Australian

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Distribution

The Colchicaceae family displays a pantemperate to tropical distribution across multiple continents, encompassing approximately 15 genera and ca. 280 species primarily in Africa, the Mediterranean region, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, with extensions into Europe and North America. The family's range originated in Australia during the early Oligocene, approximately 34 million years ago, before dispersing to Asia and North America, and subsequently to Africa and Europe. The main centers of diversity are in the Mediterranean basin and southern Africa. Notable disjunct patterns occur within the subfamily Uvularioideae, which is restricted to eastern Asia (e.g., genera Disporum in the Himalayas through eastern Russia) and eastern North America (e.g., Uvularia in rich woodlands from Canada to the southeastern United States), patterns consistent with a Laurasian origin. High species diversity is evident in the Mediterranean, particularly for the genus Colchicum, which features marked centers in winter-rainfall regions of Europe and North Africa. In southern Africa, diversity peaks with around 80 of the family's ca. 280 species, including genera such as Gloriosa and Ornithoglossum, concentrated in the Cape region and extending northward to Namibia and Zambia. Some species have been introduced outside their native ranges, notably , which has naturalized in parts of , including fields and roadsides in states such as , , and .

Ecological Preferences

Species in the Colchicaceae family typically thrive in well-drained soils, which prevent waterlogging of their underground corms or bulbs, and are commonly distributed across grasslands, open woodlands, and rocky slopes that provide moderate moisture and sunlight. These habitats support their geophytic growth habit, allowing establishment in areas with seasonal rainfall patterns. For instance, many taxa favor loamy or sandy substrates that facilitate penetration while minimizing rot during wet periods. Temperate representatives, such as those in the genus , predominantly inhabit meadows, damp grasslands, and clearings in regions with cool, moist autumns, where they exhibit autumnal blooming prior to development in spring. In contrast, tropical members like function as scandent climbers in forest margins, thickets, coastal bush, and occasionally grasslands or sand dunes, relying on tendril-like tips to ascend supporting in semi-shaded, seasonally dry environments. These divergent preferences reflect adaptations to local climates, with temperate species enduring winter and tropical ones tolerating intermittent drought through tuberous storage organs. Key ecological adaptations include seasonal via corms or tubers, enabling survival through dry or adverse periods by conserving resources underground until favorable conditions resume, as seen in summer for and winter rest for Gloriosa. Additionally, the presence of toxic alkaloids like serves as a , deterring herbivory and reducing predation pressure in shared ecosystems with grazing mammals. These traits enhance resilience in fragmented landscapes but are challenged by interactions such as reliance on specific pollinators, including in some southern African species. Conservation concerns for Colchicaceae center on loss in Mediterranean and African biodiversity hotspots, where agricultural expansion and urbanization fragment grasslands and woodlands essential for their persistence. In the of , for example, farming activities have reduced suitable succulent-rich slopes and ridges, impacting species like Colchicum scabromarginatum. Similarly, Mediterranean meadow conversions to cropland threaten temperate taxa, exacerbating declines in already localized populations within global hotspots outlined in geographic distribution patterns. As of 2025, the assessment for Iphigenia stellata underscores ongoing threats from degradation in .

Uses and Significance

Medicinal Applications

The Colchicaceae family is renowned for producing , a tropolone alkaloid primarily extracted from the corms of , which serves as the cornerstone of its medicinal applications. exerts its therapeutic effects through inhibition of , disrupting cellular processes such as and inflammation. This mechanism underpins its FDA-approved uses in preventing and treating acute flares by reducing neutrophil chemotaxis and uric acid crystal-induced inflammation, as well as managing (FMF) by suppressing pyrin activation in recurrent inflammatory episodes. In , 's microtubule-binding properties have been explored for anticancer potential, where it induces mitotic arrest and in rapidly dividing tumor cells, though clinical use remains limited due to toxicity concerns and is primarily investigational in derivatives targeting solid tumors like . Traditional medicinal practices have long harnessed Colchicaceae species for purposes. In , Colchicum autumnale was documented by the 1st-century physician Dioscorides as a remedy for podagra () and related rheumatic conditions, with its use persisting through Byzantine texts for treating joint swellings and arthritis-like symptoms. Similarly, Gloriosa superba, known as flame lily, has been employed in Ayurvedic and African traditional medicine; in and parts of tropical , its extracts are used to induce labor pains and facilitate placental expulsion during , attributed to uterine stimulant properties, though often at risky dosages. Despite its efficacy, colchicine poses significant toxicity risks, necessitating regulated extraction and dosing. Overdose leads to severe gastrointestinal distress, including , , , and , progressing to multi-organ failure, , and potentially fatal outcomes within 24-72 hours due to its narrow . Patients with renal or hepatic impairment are particularly vulnerable, and therapeutic guidelines emphasize low-dose regimens (e.g., 0.6 mg daily for chronic conditions) to mitigate these hazards. Ongoing research highlights colchicine's expanded potential beyond . In , low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg daily) has demonstrated reduced risk of recurrent , atherosclerotic events, and ischemic strokes in clinical trials, with the FDA approving its use for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with established atherosclerotic disease in 2023; meta-analyses showing up to 25-30% in among high-risk patients. For neurodegenerative conditions like , preclinical studies suggest neuroprotective effects via microglial inflammation modulation and amyloid-beta reduction in animal models of cerebral hypoperfusion, though human cohort data indicate possible increased risk with prolonged high-dose use, underscoring the need for further randomized trials to clarify benefits.

Ornamental and Other Uses

Several species within the Colchicaceae family are valued for their ornamental qualities, particularly due to their striking flowers and adaptability to garden settings. , commonly known as the flame lily, is prized for its vibrant, lily-like blooms in shades of red, yellow, and orange, making it a popular choice for cut flower arrangements and climbing displays on trellises. species, often called autumn crocuses, feature funnel-shaped flowers in lavender, pink, or white that emerge in fall, providing late-season color in borders, rock gardens, and underplantings. Sandersonia aurantiaca, or Christmas bells, produces pendulous, lantern-like orange flowers on upright stems, ideal for pot plants, floral designs, and holiday decorations. Cultivation of these plants varies by species but generally involves well-drained soils and specific seasonal timing to mimic their natural growth cycles. Temperate Colchicum corms are planted in late summer at a depth of 3 inches in moist, free-draining soil under full sun or partial shade, where they naturalize easily and require minimal maintenance beyond slug control. Tropical Gloriosa tubers are sown in spring in rich, sandy loam with even moisture and monthly fertilization, supported on trellises to reach 5-6 feet, thriving in USDA zones 8-10 or as annuals elsewhere. Sandersonia tubers, planted 2-3 inches deep in well-draining soil with consistent watering and bright indirect light, grow to 1 meter and are propagated annually in cooler climates for their summer blooms. Propagation across these genera occurs via corms, tubers, or seeds, with division every few years to maintain vigor. The cultural significance of Colchicaceae plants includes symbolic associations tied to their native regions; for instance, serves as Zimbabwe's national flower, representing beauty and resilience. Historically, some species like have been noted for their toxicity, occasionally used in traditional contexts as poisons, though this is secondary to their decorative appeal. Economically, the family contributes to the international bulb trade, with grown and exported from the alongside other ornamentals. Conservation efforts focus on wild-harvested species like , which is threatened in certain regions from overcollection for both medicinal and ornamental markets, prompting domestication programs in regions such as and .

References

  1. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77126743-1
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3884533/
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  5. https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Colchicaceae
  6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7958869/
  7. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-7000000142
  8. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/family/colchicaceae/
  9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/colchicaceae
  10. https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/102/5/747/157778
  11. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/29227982.pdf
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  14. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:24202-1
  15. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:328513-2
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  20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262606733_The_Evolution_of_Colchicaceae_with_a_Focus_on_Chromosome_Numbers
  21. https://journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za/index.php/abc/article/view/54
  22. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/colchicum/autumnale/
  23. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=265441
  24. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-autumn-crocus/
  25. https://botsoc.scot/2024/10/06/plant-of-the-week-october-7th-2024-autumn-crocus-colchicum-autumnale/
  26. https://pza.sanbi.org/gloriosa-superba
  27. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/gloriosa-lily-gloriosa-superba/
  28. https://www.epicgardening.com/autumn-crocus/
  29. https://www.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1298481/Plant-of-the-week-Colchicum-1.pdf
  30. https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstreams/3868ff01-6397-406a-9c64-e71195eaff7d/download
  31. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2664.12217
  32. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393047946_The_IUCN_Red_List_of_Threatened_Species_Iphigenia_stellata_-_published_in_2025
  33. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-colchicine-reduce-risk-cardiovascular-events-certain-adult-patients
  34. https://www.thespruce.com/growing-the-gloriosa-lily-5105298
  35. https://www.gardenia.net/plant/colchicum-the-giant
  36. https://www.gardenia.net/plant/sandersonia-auriantiaca-christmas-belles-grow-care-guide
  37. https://pza.sanbi.org/sandersonia-aurantiaca
  38. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:535953-1/general-information
  39. https://antropocene.it/en/2022/12/10/cultivation-and-properties-of-the-autumn-colchico/
  40. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/gloriosa-superba
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