Colchicum longipes young anthers

The colouring in Colchicum longipes flowers are chiefly contributed by anthers and perianth segments (the six tepals).

The segments are green or white, free and clearly separate from each other, ending point-tipped and slightly folding in, only over the backs of their respective stamens. Protection mustn’t be a hindrance to pollinators.

The chunky anthers turned inwards may be purplish pink as here, brown, orange brown or about black, signifying age differences.

A second flower is in bud in the leaf-cup of the same plant. Space is an issue when more than one flowers are produced in these plants, a bit like life in a small flat when the grownup children refuse to move out.

A second, younger plant is also about to flower next to the main one, a better solution for overcrowding. The corm may have produced a partner on the side, maybe the beginning of a proper clump. The chances are slim that an independent plant would have started off in this position by itself (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; iNaturalist; https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org).