Autumn Crocus

Not listed does not mean safe.

T. Kebert · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · shows: Colchicum autumnale

Colchicum autumnale

Also known as: Meadow Saffron

Family: Liliaceae · ASPCA plant record

Verdict at a glance

🐱 Cats⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

🐶 Dogs⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Show all animals

🐴 Horses⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

🐰 Rabbits⚠ ToxicWHRS Class 1: universal toxin

🐹 Guinea pigs⚠ ToxicPeer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176)

🦜 Pet birds (general)! CautionVCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported)

🐢 Tortoises⚠ ToxicTortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*)

Evidence by animal

Sourced plant verdicts — read the original wording and scope
Animal	Verdict	Basis	Plant parts	Sources	Evidence link
Companion mammals
Cats	Cats: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Dogs	Dogs: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Horses & livestock
Horses	Horses: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Small mammals
Rabbits	Rabbits: ⚠ Toxic	WHRS Class 1: universal toxin	Not specified	Wisconsin House Rabbit Society Rescue/education group	evidence
Guinea pigs	Guinea pigs: ⚠ Toxic	Peer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176)	bulb	Yamada et al. 2000 Peer-reviewed	evidence
Birds
Pet birds (general)	Pet birds (general): ! Caution	VCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported)	Not specified	VCA Animal Hospitals Veterinary reference	evidence
Reptiles
Tortoises	Tortoises: ⚠ Toxic	Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*)	Not specified	Tortoise Trust Specialist charity	evidence

Source excerpts

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Cats, Dogs, Horses

poison-control

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — Rabbits

rescue-education

WHRS Class 1: universal toxin · Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Universal species toxins": "usually systemic toxins or local effect toxins of sufficient intensity to cause systemic problems" (list heading: "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants.").

Autumn Crocus

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse : enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse — Guinea pigs

peer-reviewed

Peer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176) · bulb · The same study found mice given the bulb or colchicine did not develop diarrhea, so the guinea pig result is not a mouse result.

Each group of guinea pigs given the bulb of autumn crocus or colchicine exhibited severe diarrhea.

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — Pet birds (general)

veterinary-reference

VCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported) · VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species.

Autumn Crocus

Source checked 2026-10-27 (source updated Aug 14, 2026)

Read original source

Tortoise Trust — Toxic Plants and Tortoises — Tortoises

specialist-charity

Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) · Tortoise Trust toxic-plant list (from Highfield, The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual, 2001): marked * = "credible cases where mortality has been reported following consumption".

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)*

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

No evidence collected in this database yet for 16 animals

No evidence collected in this database yet for: Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Budgerigars (budgies), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Canaries, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Bearded dragons, Iguanas, Goats, Chickens & other poultry

No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.

Toxic principles

ASPCA, as published: Colchicine and other alkaloids Source

Clinical signs

ASPCA, as published: Bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression Source

More from veterinary sources

Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-27. Source access dates and limitations.

Similar plants (same family)

Shared family is not a shared verdict. Check each plant separately.