A perennial herb from a short bulb-like corm. Leaves several, linear, undulate, sheathing. Flowers numerous, to 6 cm long, funnel-shaped; early autumn. Tepals white, tessellated pale purple. Anthers purple.

Thought to be a natural hybrid C. variegatum × C. autumnale.

C. autumnale L. from SW Europe to Russia has several leaves, broadly linear, sheathing. Flowers 1-6, to 6 cm long, bell-shaped; late summer to autumn.Tepals purplish pink or white, occasionally tessellated. Anthers yellow. 'Album' has small, white flowers and 'Minor' has small flowers.

C. luteum Bak. from S Russia, Afghanistan, N India and SW China has 2-5 leaves, broadly linear, sheathing. Flowers 1-4, to 2.5 cm long, funnel- to narrowly bellshaped; spring to summer.Tepals yellow. Anthers yellow.

Greece and Turkey.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Colchicaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.