Crinum macowanii

Crinum macowanii, commonly known as the Macowan's Lily, is a striking perennial bulbous plant native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its elegant, long-lasting white blooms and lush foliage, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is frequently studied for its unique chemical properties and potential medicinal applications.

  • Scientific name: Crinum macowanii
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae
  • Native range: Africa

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.

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, scientifically known as Crinum macowanii, is recognized by different names depending on the linguistic context. In Russian, it is commonly referred to as Кринум Макована.
Language Common Name Source
ru Кринум Макована Wikidata

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.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Eritrea WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Ethiopia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Somalia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
East Tropical Africa Kenya WCVP
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
East Tropical Africa Uganda WCVP
South Tropical Africa Angola WCVP
South Tropical Africa Malawi WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Crinum macowanii, utilizes various components for its biological functions and potential medicinal applications. The most prominent feature of the species is its large, fleshy bulbs, which serve as a primary storage organ for nutrients. Extending from these structures are the roots, which anchor the plant firmly into the soil and facilitate water absorption. The foliage consists of broad, strap-like leaves that are essential for photosynthesis. Depending on the method of preparation or study, practitioners may specifically focus on the fresh leaves to capture their most potent properties before they undergo any drying or processing.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bulbs 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fresh leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bulb 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

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

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Dichloromethane 1 ★☆☆☆☆

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.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

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

Total uses
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
boils 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infectious diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
snakebite envenomation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
wounds 1 ★☆☆☆☆