What plant was named for the homeland of a sorceress?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
January 11, 2002
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The source of colchicine, Colchicum autumnale, is often called mysteria, but the derivation of this name is lost. Because the plant was used by the Greeks to treat gout, it has been suggested the name, mysteria, may date back to the ancient Greeks and that perhaps the plant was associated with the Eleusinian Mysteria (secret rites) of the goddess, Demeter. The toxic Colchicum blooms in the autumn when Demeter's daughter, Persephone must leave the land of the living to spend four months with Pluto the god of the underworld.
Long before Linnaeus officially designated the plant with its botanical name, it was known to the herbalists as Colchicum. It was said to have come from Colchis, a kingdom on the shores of Pontus (Black Sea). Legends say this was the land where the Golden Fleece was kept in a consecrated grove and guarded by an ever-vigilant dragon.
Medea was a powerful sorceress; the daughter of the king of Colchis. She fell in love with Jason when he came to win the Golden Fleece. She had knowledge of all plants with the power of enchantment, could communicate with the nature spirits, and plead favors from Pluto and his stolen wife, Persephone. Medea spent her life resorting to magic and murder to gain for Jason his ambitions. In the end, she even killed her children.
Bulfinch's Mythology has the story of the tragic sorceress, Medea, and her faithless husband, Jason. To read the legend, click on the link:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf16.htm
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has photographs, and information on Colchicum autumnale. To view the photographs and learn more, click on the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
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