Common Firelily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common Firelily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Cyrtantus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions within Southern Africa. It can be found growing throughout the diverse landscapes of the Cape Provinces. Additionally, its presence extends into the subtropical areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The species also inhabits the central regions of the Free State and the northern reaches of the Northern Provinces. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the territory of Esswatini.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyrtanthus contractus is defined by its preference for specific montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily distributed across mid-to-high altitude regions, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the plant adapts to the unique microclimates, temperature fluctuations, and moisture availability characteristic of these elevations. Its presence within this specific range suggests a specialized ecological requirement for the environmental conditions found in these sub-montane and montane habitats, which influence its growth patterns and seasonal phenology.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cyrtantus contractus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its survival strategy is defined by its life forms, functioning primarily as a geophyte and a cryptophyte, which indicates that its essential regenerative organs are protected underground or at the soil surface to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyrtantus contractus is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting plant that does not require external structures for support. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. The plant typically thrives in various environments ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial habitats. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height that generally ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyrtanthus contractus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Narciprimine, proline.

Narciprimine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

proline

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Conditions

Cyrtanthus contractus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include mental illness.

Mental illness

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cyrtanthus contractus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract of bulbs.

Ethanolic extract of bulbs

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology