I have found very little about the lore of colchicums.   Most certainly there are anecdotes and legends from their native lands.   Help me out. Those of you with colchicum stories, please send them . I would like to read and share them.

One thing that may keep colchicum out of folklore is the powerful chemical alkaloid colchicine.   Medicinally, it can be used to ease gouty arthritis and as a possible cancer treatment. Warning: Colchine is extremely toxic.   Wear gloves when handling bulbs, and don't try to cure your foot gout with your garden bulbs!

Plant propagators also use colchicine to multiply the number of chromosomes in other plants.   Many polyploid hybrids have been created this way.   These hybrids are valuable to ornamental horticulture because many are more vigorous and floriferous than the type.