Question

Colchicine is obtained from Colchicum autumnale. It belongs to which family?
A) Liliaceae
B) Solanaceae
C) Leguminosae
D) Poaceae

Answer 1

Colchicum autumnale commonly known as autumn crocus, is a flowering plant whose flowers resemble that of lily and the plant produces bulb-like corms a lot.

Complete answer:

1. The bulb-like corms of C. autumnale contain colchicine, a useful drug with a narrow therapeutic index. Colchicine is approved in many countries for the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is also used in plant breeding to produce polyploid strains.
2. Plants in the Liliaceae family have evolved with a fair amount of morphological diversity despite genetic similarity. Common characteristics include large flowers with parts arranged in threes: with six coloured or patterned petaloid petals (undifferentiated petals and sepals) arranged in two whorls, six stamens and a superior ovary. Colchicum autumnale belongs to this family.
3. Plants in Solanaceae family are annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and include medicinal plants, agricultural crops, spices, weeds, and ornamental plants too.
4. Leguminosae family is alternatively known as Fabaceae,including the legumes, pea, or bean family, is a family of flowering plants, having many economical uses. It includes trees, shrubs, and perennial or annual herbaceous plants, which are common for their fruit (legume) and their compound.
5. Poaceae alternatively known as Gramineae is a large flowering plant having monocotyledonous seeds. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns and pasture.

Thus, the correct answer is option A (Liliaceae).

Note: Colchicine is an important medicinal compound used to prevent gout attacks (sudden, severe pain in one or more joints caused by abnormally high levels of a substance called uric acid in the blood) in adults.