Crinum album

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaryllis alba
• Crinum yemense

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Asparagales and placed in the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Crinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution within the Middle East. Its presence is documented across the vast landscape of the Arabian Peninsula. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territory of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the species is also native to the region of Yemen. These locations represent the primary areas where the plant thrives in the wild.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Crinum album is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial herb that utilizes underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. According to its botanical classification, the plant functions as a geophyte, meaning it maintains its vital parts within a bulb located beneath the soil surface, allowing it to remain dormant during periods of stress. Additionally, it is categorized under the broader life form of a cryptophyte, as its regenerative buds are concealed underground to protect them from desiccation or herbivory. This life cycle involves a seasonal pattern of growth where the plant emerges from its bulb to produce fleshy, strap-like leaves and large, fragrant white flowers, eventually retreating back into its subterranean state to sustain itself through its nutrient-rich bulb during dormant phases.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Crinum album is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, growing instead directly in the soil. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. Furthermore, the plant does not possess a climbing habit, as it is not classified as an obligatory, facultative, or self-supporting climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Crinum album has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-crinamine, (-)-Lycorine.

(+)-crinamine

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Lycorine

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Crinum album has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80% aqueous methanolic extract.

80% aqueous methanolic extract

1. Journal of natural products