African lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African-lily
• blue agapanthus
• blue-lily
• lily-of-the-Nile
• African lily
• Agapanthus
• Blue Lily
• Cape Bluelily
• Dwarf Agapanthus
• Fynbos Agapanthus
• lily of the Nile

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tulbaghia minor
• Tulbaghia africana f. minor
• Mauhlia linearis
• Tulbaghia heisteri
• Crinum africanum
• Agapanthus umbellatus globosus
• Mauhlia africana
• Agapanthus umbellatus var. leichtlinii
• Mauhlia umbellata
• Agapanthus africanus var. leichtlinii
• Tulbaghia africana
• Agapanthus minor
• Agapanthus umbellatus
• Abumon africanum
• Tulbaghia africana f. heisteri

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae and the genus Agapantus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily native to the Cape Provinces within the Southern Africa region. Beyond its natural habitat, it has established a presence on the remote island of Ascension in the Middle Atlantic Ocean. Its distribution also extends to the West Himalaya located across the Indian Subcontinent. In North America, the species can be found throughout Mexico Central. Finally, it is also documented to grow within the Mexico Gulf region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Agapanthus africanus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution across its native habitats, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 1130 m AMSL. This wide elevational range, from 0 to 1130 m AMSL, allows the species to occupy diverse environmental niches, ranging from coastal lowlands to mid-altitude montane regions. Within these varying elevations, the plant adapts to diverse soil types and moisture levels, often thriving in well-drained areas where it can establish stable colonies. Its ability to persist across such a significant vertical gradient suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling it to withstand the fluctuating climatic conditions and varying temperature regimes found throughout its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

1130 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Agapanthus africanus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival and regrowth over multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it utilizes specialized underground structures to endure environmental fluctuations, specifically functioning as a geophyte where its vital organs are protected beneath the soil surface. This plant maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Agapanthus africanus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as an independent organism that does not rely on a host as a parasite or epiphyte. As a terrestrial plant, it maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant exhibits a modest stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.44 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, though its mean height is recorded at approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.44 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Agapanthus africanus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic process is typical of many temperate and subtropical monocots, relying on the enzyme RuBisCO for carbon assimilation. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Agapanthus africanus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant engages in pollination driven by insects, with a notable specialization toward bees. The resulting seeds produced through this process are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed mass across the population. The seed mass is measured at a mean of 0.0068 g, which is identical to both its minimum and maximum values of 0.0068 g, indicating a highly standardized seed production profile.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.0068 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Agapanthus africanus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Life sciences

Rhizome

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Agapanthus africanus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3,5-Triphenylcyclohexane, 6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-one, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, Phytol, n-Hexadecanoic acid.

1,3,5-Triphenylcyclohexane

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

6,10,14-Trimethylpentadecan-2-one

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phytol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

n-Hexadecanoic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Agapanthus africanus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include small-cell lung cancer, cancer.

Small-cell lung cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. ACS omega

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Agapanthus africanus has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Decoctions, crude extract, ethanolic extract of the rhizomes, n-butanol fraction, underground parts.

Decoctions

1. Life sciences

Crude extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethanolic extract of the rhizomes

1. Fitoterapia

N-butanol fraction

1. Fitoterapia

Underground parts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)