![Infographic on the chemistry of crocuses. Crocus stigmas are yellow due to carotenoid pigments and related compounds. One of these compounds, crocin, causes the deep red colour of the stigma of Crocus sativus, from which the spice saffron is produced. The orange and yellow petals of crocuses also owe their colours to carotenoids. Purples are due to anthocyanin pigments, commonly glucosides of delphinidin and petunidin. Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, is also sometimes referred to as the autumn crocus due to when it flowers. However, "autumn crocus" is also used as a name for species in the Colchicum genus. All plants in the Colchicum genus contain the toxic alkaloid colchicine. Ingesting colchicine can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, colchicine is used as a treatment for gout.](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Crocus-chemistry-v2.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
![Infographic on the chemistry of crocuses. Crocus stigmas are yellow due to carotenoid pigments and related compounds. One of these compounds, crocin, causes the deep red colour of the stigma of Crocus sativus, from which the spice saffron is produced. The orange and yellow petals of crocuses also owe their colours to carotenoids. Purples are due to anthocyanin pigments, commonly glucosides of delphinidin and petunidin. Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, is also sometimes referred to as the autumn crocus due to when it flowers. However, "autumn crocus" is also used as a name for species in the Colchicum genus. All plants in the Colchicum genus contain the toxic alkaloid colchicine. Ingesting colchicine can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, colchicine is used as a treatment for gout.](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Crocus-chemistry-v2.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
![Chemistry of tulips and tulip fingers](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Chemistry-of-tulips-and-tulip-fingers.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
![C&EN – Easter Eggs Preview](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CEN-–-Easter-Eggs-Preview.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
With Easter just around the corner, this month’s edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN takes a look at the chemistry behind the Easter tradition of dyeing eggshells different colours. Click to view the full graphic on the C&EN site!
![C&EN Daffodils](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CEN-Daffodils-preview.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
In the Northern Hemisphere spring is beginning to emerge from winter, heralded by the blooming of bright yellow daffodils. This graphic featured in C&EN a few years back and looks at some interesting chemical facets of this seasonal flower: what causes its smell, its colour, and a surprising link to Alzheimer’s treatments. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.
![The Chemistry of Wild Garlic](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/The-Chemistry-of-Wild-Garlic.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)
Spring is in the air, and it’s likely that, in your local forest, so too is the distinctive scent of wild garlic. Also known as ‘ramsons’ or ‘bear’s garlic’, green carpets of wild garlic swell in the forest’s undergrowth at this time of year. Here we take a look at their chemistry, and why, if you’re out foraging for it, you want to be sure you know how to identify it!