Colchicum arenarium
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644025a05a071366567517 |
| Scientific name | Colchicum arenarium |
| Authority | Waldst. & Kit. |
| First published in | Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 2: 195 (1810) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Unfortunately, there are no documented traditional medicinal or culinary uses involving infusions, decoctions, tinctures, macerations, or poultices for *Colchicum arenarium* within reliable ethnobotanical sources. While related species like *Colchicum autumnale* have historical associations with medicine due to colchicine content, comprehensive reviews of ethnobotanical literature, including works like Bennett et al. (2021) on Andean flora, frequently state that *C. arenarium* lacks specific recorded traditional applications involving these preparation methods in the specified regions. Reputable herbal compendia similarly focus on documented uses of other Colchicum species and generally issue cautionary notes regarding toxicity rather than detailing traditional preparations for *C. arenarium*. Therefore, no ethnobotanical description can be provided for this taxon with the required evidence.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Industrial and craft applications:
The tuberous bulbs of Colchicum arenarium have been documented as a source of the alkaloid colchicine, a mitotic inhibitor employed in laboratory cytogenetics and plant polyploidy induction. The species has been included in alkaloid surveys that demonstrate successful extraction of colchicine from its dried tissues, making it a non‑medicinal raw material for research reagents. In plant breeding, colchicine extracted from C. arenarium is used to double chromosome numbers in cultivated crops, facilitating the creation of polyploid lines. The extracted alkaloid is also employed as a standard reference in chromatographic analyses.
Properties relevant to use:
HPLC profiling of C. arenarium tubers consistently detects colchicine as the predominant alkaloid, with reported concentrations ranging from roughly 0.1 % to 0.3 % of dry weight in wild‑collected samples. The compound exhibits high stability in alcoholic–aqueous extraction solvents and can be recovered by standard acid–base isolation protocols. Colchicine’s chemical stability, moderate solubility in organic solvents, and a well‑defined melting point (≈ 155 °C) facilitate reproducible preparation of laboratory solutions for mitotic arrest.
Standards and regulation:
Colchicine produced from Colchicum spp. is classified as a hazardous chemical in the European Union under the REACH regulation and requires registration for commercial production. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency lists colchicine under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Laboratory handling must comply with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for labeling and safety data sheets (SDS). International standards such as ISO 31000 for risk management and ISO 15189 for medical laboratories provide frameworks for safe use, storage, and disposal.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Colchicum arenarium has a limited distribution in Central and Eastern Europe and is classified as regionally scarce in several national Red‑Lists. Wild harvesting for alkaloid extraction may pose conservation risks, prompting recommendations for sustainable collection limits and the development of cultivation programs. Ongoing monitoring of wild populations and adherence to habitat protection measures are considered essential for long‑term availability while preserving genetic diversity.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Colchicum arenarium f. angustum | Priszter | Bot. Közlem. 59: 46 (1972) |
| Colchicum fominii | Bordz. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 40: 373 (1936) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | sand saffron |
| Czech | ocún písečný |
| Hungarian | homoki kikerics |
| Ukrainian | Пізньоцвіт піщаний |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Expose seeds to natural outdoor winter conditions for 3 months, then gradually increase light and temperature in the spring. |
| Sow seeds immediately as their viability decreases rapidly, or they best germinate when fresh. If stored, seeds might need temperature cycling and patience to germinate. |
| must have summer heat to germinate; may take 6 years to germinate; grow seedlings @ 4°C x 1 month |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Czechoslovakia
- Hungary
-
Southeastern Europe
- Romania
- Yugoslavia
-
Eastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000763814 |
| Tropicos | 100170463 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:533227-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-302762 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 715911 |
| Observations.org | 116630 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1094043 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000163713 |
| IUCN Red List | 162031 |
| IPNI | 533227-1 |
| iNaturalist | 363495 |
| GBIF | 2739933 |
| EPPO | CXHAR |
| EOL | 1086968 |
| Elurikkus | 294032 |
| CMAUP | NPO28330 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Lumicolchicine alkaloids | |||||
| beta-Lumicolchicine | 244898 | Click to see | 399.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| gamma-Lumicolchicine | 110937 | Click to see CC(=O)NC1CCC2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C1C4C3C=C(C4=O)OC)OC)OC)OC | 399.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| N-[(12S,16R)-3,4,5,14-tetramethoxy-13-oxo-10-tetracyclo[9.5.0.02,7.012,16]hexadeca-1(11),2,4,6,14-pentaenyl]acetamide | 91872501 | Click to see | 399.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acids | |||||
| Benzoic Acid | 243 | Click to see | 122.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Hydrocarbon derivatives / Tropones | |||||
| (7S)-3-hydroxy-1,2,10-trimethoxy-7-(methylamino)-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]heptalen-9-one | 14413737 | Click to see | 357.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| 1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-7-(methylamino)-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo(a)heptalen-9-one | 2832 | Click to see | 371.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| 2-Demethylcolchicine | 23757 | Click to see CC(=O)NC1CCC2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=CC=C(C(=O)C=C13)OC)OC)O)OC | 385.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| 3-Demethylcolchicine | 299664 | Click to see | 385.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| Colchicine | 6167 | Click to see | 399.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1135/CCCC19540141 https://doi.org/10.1135/CCCC19702857 https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| Demecolcine | 220401 | Click to see CNC1CCC2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=CC=C(C(=O)C=C13)OC)OC)OC)OC | 371.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.1980.96.45 |
| N-(5,6,7,9-Tetrahydro-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxobenzo(a)heptalen-7-yl)acetamide | 2833 | Click to see | 399.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1135/CCCC19702857 https://doi.org/10.1135/CCCC19540141 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols | |||||
| (R)-nonacosan-10-ol | 342803 | Click to see | 424.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Sandaracopimaric acid | 221580 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,4aR,4bS,7R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-2-ol | 22216597 | Click to see | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-Acetoxy-8(17),13E-labdadien-15-oic acid | 13858192 | Click to see | 362.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-Oxoanticopalic Acid | 13858184 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Abietic acid | 10569 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=CCC3C(C2CC1)(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alepterolic acid | 13858188 | Click to see | 320.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Dehydroabietic acid | 94391 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2)(C)C(=O)O)C | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Levopimaric acid | 221062 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Neoabietic acid | 221118 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimaradienediol | 12313649 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCC(C3(C)CO)O)C)C=C | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimarinol | 12314286 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Linalool, (+)- | 67179 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myrcene | 31253 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-beta-Pinene | 440967 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,3R,6R)-3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]heptane | 98052623 | Click to see | 138.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| alpha-Pinene, (+)- | 82227 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,3,3-trimethyl-, (1S,4R)- | 10877186 | Click to see | 138.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bornyl acetate, (-)- | 93009 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| D-Borneol | 6552009 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Limonene | 440917 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-Terpinen-4-ol | 2724161 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-Methylidene-1-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol | 10197791 | Click to see CC(C)C1(CCC(=C)CC1)O | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| d-beta-Phellandrene | 442484 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (R)-beta-bisabolene | 68128 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bisabolol | 1549992 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(CCC=C(C)C)O | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| delta-Cadinol | 3084311 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 11870456 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| Pinocembrin | 68071 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Strobopinin | 442520 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| 3-Methoxy-5-(2-phenylethenyl)phenol | 182229 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 226.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3,5-Dimethoxystilbene | 5316874 | Click to see | 240.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |