Leaves
Autumn crocus
Colchicum autumnale L. · meadow saffron, naked ladies · Polish: Zimowit jesienny
Deadly poisonous Partially protected
How to identify it
- Flowers in late summer and autumn (August–September, sometimes October).
- The leaves (3–4) appear only in early spring of the following year, together with the seed capsule that rises above the ground — this is when it gets mistaken for wild garlic.
- The leaves do not smell of garlic.
- A corm underground.
Where it grows
Damp meadows, open mixed woodland and sparse scrub.
What not to confuse it with
Wild garlic Edible
Autumn crocus poisonings usually result from mistaking it for wild garlic leaves.
Frequently asked questions
What can Autumn crocus be confused with?
Wild garlic: Autumn crocus poisonings usually result from mistaking it for wild garlic leaves.
Is Autumn crocus a protected species?
Yes, it is partially protected under the Polish regulation on the protection of plant species (rozporządzenie w sprawie ochrony gatunkowej roślin, Dz.U. 2014 poz. 1409).
Sources
- Wikipedia: Zimowit jesienny
- BfR: Bärlauch – Verwechslungen führen häufig zu Vergiftungen (04.04.2023)
- ANSES: autumn crocus confused with wild garlic (17.08.2020)
- Rozporządzenie Ministra Środowiska z 9 października 2014 r. w sprawie ochrony gatunkowej roślin (Dz.U. 2014 poz. 1409)
Last checked: 9 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to us.