Ammocharis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ammocharis
• Ground lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crinum coccineum
• Crinum tavelianum
• Ammocharis coccinea
• Ammocharis coranica var. pallida
• Ammocharis taveliana
• Amaryllis coranica
• Amaryllis coranica var. pallida
• Brunsvigia coranica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Amaryllidaceae and falls under the genus Ammocharis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several distinct regions across the southern portion of the African continent. Its distribution extends into South Tropical Africa, where it can be found in both Angola and Zimbabwe. Moving into the Southern Africa region, the species is also established within the borders of Botswana and Lesotho. Furthermore, it is widely recognized for its presence throughout the Cape Provinces. Collectively, these locations define the specific geographical range of Ammocharis coranica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ammocharis coranica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by storing nutrients and moisture in specialized underground structures, such as bulbs, which protect the plant during periods of dormancy. This survival strategy is further defined by its status as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative organs are located safely beneath the soil surface, shielding them from external stressors like drought or herbivory.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ammocharis coranica is characterized by a compact growth habit, with the plant typically reaching a mean height of 0.3 m and a maximum height of up to 0.34 m. It is a strictly terrestrial species, existing in non-aquatic environments, and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber. Furthermore, the plant is an independent species, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial life form rather than acting as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.34 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Physiology

The physiology of Ammocharis coranica is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, where metabolic efficiency is prioritized to withstand seasonal drought. As a geophyte, its primary physiological strategy involves the sequestration of nutrients and water within a large, fleshy bulb, which serves as a vital storage organ for carbohydrates and moisture during dormant periods. The plant exhibits a cyclic growth pattern where physiological activity is tightly synchronized with seasonal rainfall; during wet periods, it undergoes rapid leaf development and photosynthetic activity, while in dry periods, it enters a state of metabolic quiescence to prevent desiccation. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not possess the symbiotic mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized root nodules and bacterial associations necessary for this process. Instead, its nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium ions within the soil substrate, managed through an efficient root system adapted to intermittent moisture availability.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ammocharis coranica has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-O-Acetyllycorine, 24-methylenepollinastanone, ACETYLCARANINE, Crinamine, Cycloeucalenol.

1-O-Acetyllycorine

1. Phytochemistry

24-methylenepollinastanone

1. Phytochemistry

ACETYLCARANINE

1. Phytochemistry

Crinamine

1. Phytochemistry

Cycloeucalenol

1. Phytochemistry

Hamayne

1. Phytochemistry

Hippadine

1. Phytochemistry

cycloeucalenone

1. Phytochemistry

lycorine

1. Phytochemistry