Indian-squill

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian-squill
• white-squill
• Secret Lily
• Secret Night Squill

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Indurgia indica
• Thuranthos indicus
• Thuranthos wightianus
• Ledebouria maculata
• Melanthium hyacinthoides
• Aletris littoralis
• Urginea wightiana
• Erythronium hyacinthoides
• Indurgia wightiana
• Urginea indica
• Anthericum hyacinthoides

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Drimia indica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asparagaceae within the genus Drimia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of India and its neighboring countries. Specifically, its range extends through the mountainous terrains of the East Himalaya and the country of Nepal. Furthermore, the species is also documented to inhabit the territory of Bangladesh. Finally, its geographical presence reaches as far as Pakistan, showcasing its broad regional spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Drimia indica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically categorized as a geophyte, which means its essential regenerative organs are located underground to protect them from adverse environmental conditions. This life form enables the plant to endure seasonal shifts by relying on its subterranean structures to re-emerge during favorable periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Drimia indica is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, manifesting as both a herb and a forb. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of structural habit, it is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, vine, or liana. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a mean height of approximately 0.4 m and a maximum height reaching up to 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Drimia indica is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, particularly regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, meaning it cannot convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil through its root system to support its growth and cellular functions. Its physiological framework is oriented toward efficient resource utilization within its environment, managing water potential and nutrient transport to maintain homeostasis and facilitate essential biochemical pathways.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Drimia indica 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. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
2. Microscopy research and technique

Root

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Chemicals

Drimia indica has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phytosterols, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Scillarenin.

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke
2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Coumarins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Glycosides

1. Dr. Duke

Scillarenin

1. Dr. Duke

Scilliglaucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Steroids

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

glucose

1. Dr. Duke

mannose

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Drimia indica has 30 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Acetylcholinergic, Anthelmintic.

Anticancer

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Microscopy research and technique

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Antimicrobial

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Microscopy research and technique

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

AntiUTI

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadhesive

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Biochimie

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticystitic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Drimia indica has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, asthma, cardiac diseases.

Most Reported Uses