Red Hot Poker

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red-Hot-Poker
• Red-hot Poker
• Torch Lily
• pokerplant
• torch-lily
• torchflower
• Bishop's Torch
• Red Hot Poker

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tritomanthe uvaria
• Kniphofia uvaria var. nobilis
• Tritomium uvaria
• Tritoma saundersii
• Kniphofia uvaria var. glaucescens
• Kniphofia uvaria var. serotina
• Tritoma nobilis
• Kniphofia alooides
• Tritomanthe speciosa
• Tritoma recurva
• Kniphofia bachmannii
• Tritoma uvaria
• Kniphofia occidentalis
• Tritoma glauca
• Kniphofia burchellii
• Tritoma uvaria var. lindleyana
• Tritoma burchellii
• Tritoma canari
• Veltheimia speciosa
• Veltheimia uvaria
• Aletris uvaria
• Aloe uvaria

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can also be found throughout Germany. Its range extends further south into Southwestern Europe, specifically within the borders of Portugal. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the country of Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kniphofia uvularia is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to colonize a diverse range of topographical environments. This species is capable of thriving across a significant vertical gradient, with its habitat spanning from low-lying areas at an elevation of 15 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching up to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures, temperature fluctuations, and moisture regimes, enabling it to occupy niches ranging from lowland meadows and damp grasslands to more rugged, montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kniphofia uvularia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Structurally, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or organic debris during dormant periods. This growth strategy enables the plant to re-emerge vigorously each spring from its underground structures, facilitating long-term survival and establishment within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kniphofia uvularia is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, and it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. As a self-supporting species, it lacks the climbing habits of vines or lianas, maintaining a sturdy, upright structure. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.5 m, supporting its herbaceous architecture through its non-woody tissues.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Kniphofia uvaria is characterized by its efficient utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which drives its vegetative growth and energy production. The plant's foliage is structurally adapted to manage light interception and moisture through elongated, linear leaves that vary significantly in dimension. These leaves exhibit a length range starting from a minimum of 30 cm up to a maximum of 90 cm, providing a substantial surface area for gas exchange and light absorption. Complementing this length, the leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, a morphology that aids in efficient water regulation and structural integrity within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

90 cm

Leaf length min:

30 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Kniphofia uvaria is characterized by the production of specialized fruit structures and specific seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehiscence-type vessel, meaning it is designed to be dehiscent and split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds contained within these capsules are quite small, with a measured mean seed mass of 0.00223 g. Individual seed weights vary within a narrow range, with a minimum seed mass of 0.00142 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.00304 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

0.00304 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00223 g

Seed mass min:

0.00142 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Kniphofia uvaria has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. African health sciences

Chemicals

Kniphofia uvaria has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methanol.

methanol

1. African health sciences

Activities

Kniphofia uvaria has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. African health sciences