Distribution of Colchicum speciosum Steven in Trabzon Province, Türkiye

Abstract

Colchicum speciosum Steven belongs to the Colchicaceae family and is native to the Eastern Black Sea Region of Anatolia. The genus Colchicum is used in the pharmaceutical industry due to the colchicine alkaloids contained in both its corms and seeds. This study was carried out to determine the distribution areas of Colchicum speciosum, an important medicinal aromatic plant, in Türkiye. To reach this purpose, field studies were carried out, collecting samples of the plant during suitable vegetation periods between 2015 and 2021 in Trabzon province. The present study was done using a full-field screening method. All field information about the taxon was recorded in the GIS database, and the distribution map of the taxon including Trabzon province was created. It was determined that Colchicum speciosum has a wide distribution in the study area, from 349 to 2560 m asl. In the study area, the specimens was determined at 192 different points and 12 different habitat types. These habitat types are mainly: pasture-meadow areas, both deciduous and conifer forest clearings, agricultural areas, hazelnut plantations, deciduous forests, coniferous forests dominated by Picea orientalis, roadsides, stony areas, scrubs, beech forests, seasonal stream edges, and swamp-reed areas. Additionally, it has been observed that the flowering time of the plant is between September and October.