Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Colchicine is a valuable alkaloid drug used to treat gout and widely employed in plant genetics and tree breeding to induce polyploidy by disrupting spindle fiber formation during mitosis.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- While historically isolated from Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus), Gloriosa superba (commonly known as the Glory Lily) is a major commercial source of colchicine in tropical regions.
- The seeds and tubers of Gloriosa superba contain high concentrations of colchicine, which is harvested for both pharmaceutical drug formulation and agricultural breeding research.
- Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) contains withanolides, not colchicine.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The alkaloid colchicine is extracted commercially from Gloriosa superba.