Cape Coast Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cape Coast Lily
• Cape Coast Swamplily
• Cape Lily
• Common Vlei Crinum
• Common Vlei-lily
• Pyjama Lily
• River Lily
• River Swamplily
• Sabie Crinum
• Sabie Swamplily
• vlei lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crinum corradii
• Crinum macowanii subsp. confusum
• Crinum gouwsii
• Crinum pedicellatum
• Crinum johnstonii

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 follows the order Asparagales and is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Crinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the horn of Africa, it is distributed throughout Northeast Tropical Africa. This distribution includes significant populations found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Additionally, the species extends its reach across the Northeast Tropical African territories of Sudan and South Sudan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crinum macowanii is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse topographical gradient, occupying various landscapes within its native range. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution, establishing itself in habitats that span from low-lying areas starting at an elevation of 200 m AMSL to more elevated terrains reaching a maximum of 1650 m AMSL. This significant elevational range suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature and moisture availability associated with different altitudinal zones. By inhabiting such a wide altitudinal breadth, the plant can find suitable ecological niches ranging from warmer, lowland environments to cooler, montane settings.

Elevational range max:

1650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Crinum macowanii is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the cryptophyte group, its vital organs are protected underground, which aids in its survival against environmental stressors. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to sustain itself during dormant periods and facilitate regrowth.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crinum macowanii is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and exists as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. The plant maintains a relatively modest stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crinum macowanii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Crinum macowanii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DICHLOROMETHANE.

DICHLOROMETHANE

1. Toxicology letters

Activities

Crinum macowanii has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antiplasmodial, Antiviral.

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Crinum macowanii has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include boils, fever, infectious diseases, inflammation, snakebite envenomation.

Boils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Snakebite envenomation

1. Tropical medicine and health

Tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Crinum macowanii has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Dichloromethane extracts from bulbs.

Dichloromethane extracts from bulbs

1. Toxicology letters