Orange river lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Orange river lily
• Hardy Swamplily
• Orange River Swamplily
• Vaal River Lily
• Vaal River Swamplily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaryllis longifolia var. riparia
• Amaryllis longifolia var. rosea
• Crinum longifolium var. riparium
• Amaryllis longifolia var. minor
• Crinum capense var. riparium
• Crinum govenium
• Crinum spofforthianum
• Crinum bulbispermum var. sanguineum
• Amaryllis riparia
• Amaryllis bulbisperma
• Crinum capense
• Crinum riparium
• Crinum capense var. viridifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asparagales and is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Crinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within Macaronesia, it can be found growing in Madeira. Its presence is also notable throughout various parts of Southern Africa. Specifically, it is documented in the Cape Provinces, Lesotho, and KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, the species extends its range into the Free State.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crinum bulbispermum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 1600 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to colonize various topographical zones and microclimates. Typically found in tropical and subtropical environments, its distribution is often linked to moist, well-drained soils found in forest edges, riverbanks, or shaded understories where light availability and humidity are relatively stable. By occupying niches from 0 m to 1600 m AMSL, the plant demonstrates resilience to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations inherent to different mountain profiles, facilitating its presence in both lowland coastal regions and mid-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Crinum bulbispermum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by storing nutrients and moisture in underground organs, which ensures its long-term survival and ability to regenerate. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its essential regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, shielding them from external stressors such as drought or herbivory.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crinum bulbispermum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and thrives in terrestrial environments, as it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant maintains a relatively modest stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crinum bulbispermum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Crinum bulbispermum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CD, CO, CU, MO, ZN.

CD

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CO

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CU

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

MO

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ZN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Crinum bulbispermum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include neurological disorders.

Neurological disorders

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine