One of the earliest colchicum to come into flower, often in late August. The goblet shaped flowers mature to a flattened star shape. Mostly white flowers (or very pale lilac) with deeper lilac colored tips to the tepals.

Plant in full sun in moist but well drained soils among companion plants that can accomodate the luxuriant foliage in spring that goes dormant in June and that complement the flowers n fall. Examples include fall blooming sedums, heuchera and groundcovers like Phlox subulata, Sedum spurium and Thymus vulgaris.

All parts of the plant contain colchicine, a toxic chemical that interferes with cell division and has historically been used to treat gout. The genus name derives from the ancient kingdom of Colchis (modern day Georgia) on the Black Sea.