Autumn Crocus

This is a photo from my archives, taken on 10 September 2013, at the Reader Rock Garden. As the name states, these flowers bloom in the fall/autumn. This species is poisonous so even though it is a species of saffron, it can not be used as a spice because it is very toxic.

"Colchicum autumnale, commonly known as autumn crocus, meadow saffron or naked lady, is a flower that resembles the true crocuses, but blooms in autumn. (This is not a reliable distinction, however, since many true crocuses flower in autumn.) The name "naked lady" comes from the fact that the flowers emerge from the ground long after the leaves have died back." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale