Transvaal slangkop

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Transvaal slangkop
• Red Slangkop
• Red Squill
• red snakehead

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sekanama sanguinea
• Urginea burkei
• Urginea sanguinea
• Sekanama burkei
• Urginea rautanenii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found within the diverse landscapes of South Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range extends across several key nations, including Angola and Malawi. It can also be located throughout the regions of Mozambique and Zambia. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit parts of Zimbabwe. Together, these areas represent the primary geographical distribution of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Drimia sanguinea is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, where it thrives within a distinct vertical niche. This species is primarily found occupying mid-to-high altitude environments, specifically ranging from a minimum elevation of 838 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1435 m AMSL. This elevational range suggests an adaptation to the particular climatic conditions, temperature gradients, and soil compositions characteristic of these montane zones. The plant's presence within this specific topographic window indicates a specialized ecological requirement for the atmospheric pressures and moisture levels found between these two altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

1435 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

838 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Drimia sanguinea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it employs specialized survival strategies to protect its vital organs during unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, its life form is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on underground storage organs to endure periods of dormancy and to facilitate regrowth when conditions become favorable.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Drimia sanguinea is characterized by its growth habit and physical dimensions, functioning as a self-supporting, non-climbing species. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.89 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.89 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Drimia sanguinea has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include STIGMASTEROL, 3-Hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid, BENZOTHIAZOLE, BUMETRIZOLE, DOTRIACONTANE.

STIGMASTEROL

1. Planta medica
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

3-Hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid

1. Planta medica

BENZOTHIAZOLE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

BUMETRIZOLE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

DOTRIACONTANE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

EICOSANOIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

HEPTACOSANE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

HEXANOIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

SCILLAREN A

1. Planta medica

Transvaalin

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Activities

Drimia sanguinea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient.

Abortifacient

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Drimia sanguinea has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations