Autumn crocus (Colchicum) is one of the most dangerous garden plants — small amounts can be fatal.
The bulbs, flowers and seeds are particularly dangerous and contain colchicine, a powerful cell poison.
Colchicine binds to tubulin and prevents mitosis, causing rapid death of dividing cells in the gut lining, bone marrow and other rapidly turning over tissues. There is no specific antidote, and toxicity can have a delayed onset, lulling owners into false reassurance.
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Less than 0.1 mg/kg of colchicine can cause severe illness; lethal dose is approximately 0.5 mg/kg. Plant content is highly variable, so any ingestion is an emergency.
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison hotline immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet.
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