Crinum glaucum
Crinum glaucum, commonly known as the Poison Bulb, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine. Native to coastal regions, its large, fleshy bulbs contain bioactive alkaloids used to treat skin ailments and inflammation. While therapeutically significant, its potent chemical properties require careful handling to avoid toxicity and adverse effects.
- Scientific name: Crinum glaucum
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Asparagales and the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Crinum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Crinum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Crinum glaucum, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as the Giant Crinum or the Sea Lily. In Hindi, it is commonly called Sarasvad, while in Tamil, it is known as Kadal mulla. Additionally, in Telugu, the plant is referred to as Kadal mulla.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant, known as Crinum glaucum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also documented throughout the coastal and inland areas of Ghana. Furthermore, its presence extends to the territories of Guinea-Bissau and the Ivory Coast. Finally, the plant is widely distributed within Nigeria, completing its range across these five West African nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Poison Bulb or Giant Crinum, derives much of its medicinal significance from its large, fleshy bulb. This underground storage organ is the primary part of the plant utilized in various traditional healing practices, as it contains a concentrated array of bioactive alkaloids. While the bulb must be used with extreme caution due to its potential toxicity, its extracts are often processed for specific therapeutic applications in folk medicine.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bulb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Crinum glaucum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, Hypnotic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypnotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Crinum glaucum has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, convulsions, cough, seizures.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| convulsions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seizures | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |