Alpine Meadow Saffron
Errors and corrections gratefully received

Common Name: Alpine Meadow Saffron
Family: Lily - Liliaceae
Genus: Colchicum
Species: alpinum
Date Taken: 03/09/2004
Altitude: 1795m
Area: Valais
Walking Notes: Schwarzsee, Stafelalp, moraine to Schönbiel Hut path, back to junction of Höhbalmen and Schönbiel path. Down past waterfall to Kalbermatten High level path back from Zmutt.
Location: Taken between Hubel and Herbrigg
Flower Notes: 5-20cm tall, with a bulb; leaves narrow, lanceolate, all radical; stem underground; 1-3 upright flowers rising directly from the ground, star-shaped, 4-6cm across, pink to lilac. Meadows, soils poor in calcium. 1500-2200m, flowering time 7-8. Rather rare (in Switzerland occurs only in the Rhone and SW Ticino). Similar to C. autumnale, but smaller in size, narrower leaves. Long tepals alone. 2-3 cm long, narrowly lanceolate, obtuse. Stigma club-shaped, max. 1mm long, non-recurrent.