Autumn Crocus

Autumn crocus blooms in pale purple in fall and is often called "autumn crocus," but it's an entirely different plant from the true spring-blooming crocus. The whole plant, and especially the corm, contains a powerful toxin called colchicine, so even a small amount can lead to vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and kidney failure.

Told apart from spring crocus and other colchicine plants

The true spring crocus is only a mild stomach irritant, but autumn crocus causes colchicine poisoning that attacks the bone marrow, gut, liver, and kidneys at once. It shares essentially the same danger as glory lily, which carries the same colchicine, so don't be reassured by a "crocus" or "lily" name — keep both plants away from cats.

How cats get exposed

The leaves and flowers are dangerous, but the toxin is most concentrated in the corm. Repotting or tidying a flower bed, when the corm is exposed, is especially risky, and a cat can be exposed by digging in the soil or chewing a fallen petal.

How symptoms progress

Signs usually begin 6–24 hours after ingestion with oral burning, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Colchicine poisoning follows a delayed pattern: the early signs may seem to ease, then 24–48 hours later bone-marrow suppression and multi-organ failure appear. A mild-looking start is no reassurance.

What to do right now

If there's any sign of chewing or swallowing, get to a 24-hour emergency vet immediately even if symptoms are faint. Don't induce vomiting at home, and tell the vet if the corm may have been involved. Colchicine has no specific antidote, so early intensive care decides the outcome.

Safer plants instead

If you want a seasonal potted plant, confirmed-safe roses or gerbera daisies are good choices.