Golden Spider-lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Golden Spider-lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaryllis platypetala
• Lycoris lajolla
• Lycoris aurea var. surgens
• Lycoris africana
• Amaryllis africana
• Lycoris aurea var. angustitepala
• Nerine aurea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it is further categorized under the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Lycoris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning multiple regions across Asia. Within China, it can be found distributed through the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Its presence extends beyond Chinese borders into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, the species is documented growing in the country of Laos. Additionally, its natural habitat includes the mountainous regions of Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lycoris aurea is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche within its habitat. This species is found at significant altitudes, thriving within an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 1600 m AMSL to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. This specialized distribution suggests an adaptation to the cooler temperatures, specific moisture regimes, and unique soil compositions typically found in high-altitude ecosystems. Within this altitudinal belt, the plant's survival and reproductive success are closely tied to the environmental stability and microclimatic conditions provided by these mid-to-high mountain zones.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lycoris aurea is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial plant that relies on underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Classified specifically as a geophyte, the plant maintains its biological continuity through bulbs that remain buried during periods of dormancy, allowing it to withstand seasonal changes and environmental stress. Furthermore, it functions as a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds and vital tissues are protected beneath the soil surface or at the ground level, shielding them from desiccation and extreme temperatures. This life cycle involves a distinct pattern of seasonal growth where the plant emerges from its subterranean state to produce foliage and flowering stalks, subsequently retreating into its geophytic state to preserve energy and ensure long-term survival.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lycoris aurea is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism without any epiphytic or parasitic tendencies. As a non-woody species, it lacks lignified tissues, instead relying on herbaceous structures for its physical form. Furthermore, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, remaining a self-supporting plant that maintains its upright posture through its own structural integrity rather than requiring external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lycoris aurea has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Frontiers in plant science

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Lycoris aurea has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include galanthamine, lycorine, Anhydrolycorin-7-one, Isocorydione, Methyl jasmonate.

galanthamine

1. Microbiological research
2. Fen zi xi bao sheng wu xue bao = Journal of molecular cell biology
3. Scientific reports
4. Plant, cell & environment
5. Frontiers in plant science

lycorine

1. Scientific reports
2. Plant, cell & environment
3. International journal of molecular sciences

Anhydrolycorin-7-one

1. Fitoterapia

Isocorydione

1. Fitoterapia

Methyl jasmonate

1. Frontiers in plant science

Narciclasine

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Polysaccharide

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Toxoflavin

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Activities

Lycoris aurea has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Antioxidant

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Conditions

Lycoris aurea has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, fungal infections.

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Aspergillus nidulans

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Candida albicans

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Cryptococcus neoformans

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Fungal infections

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Lycoris aurea has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80% EtOH extract of the bulbs, bulbs, polysaccharide.

80% etoh extract of the bulbs

1. Fitoterapia

Bulbs

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Polysaccharide

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials