Scadoxus puniceus

Scadoxus puniceus, commonly known as the Blood Lily, is a striking perennial bulb native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its vibrant, crimson umbels, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Various cultures utilize its tuberous roots in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to internal inflammatory conditions.

  • Scientific name: Scadoxus puniceus
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae
  • Native range: Africa

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. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Scadoxus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Amaryllidaceae WCVP
Genus Scadoxus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Scadoxus puniceus, is known by various common names depending on the language and region. In Afrikaans, it is referred to as Mieliegifbol, while in Chinese, it is commonly called 火焰网球花 (including its simplified forms zh-hans and zh-cn).
Language Common Name Source
af Mieliegifbol Wikidata
zh 火焰网球花 Wikidata
zh-hans 火焰网球花 Wikidata
zh-cn 火焰网球花 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its range includes Ethiopia as well as Sudan and South Sudan. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species can also be located in Tanzania. Its distribution extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Malawi. Finally, the plant is documented to grow within Mozambique as part of its southern range.

Region Area Source
Northeast Tropical Africa Ethiopia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
South Tropical Africa Malawi WCVP
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zambia WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Southern Africa Botswana WCVP
Southern Africa Cape Provinces WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP

Chemicals

Scadoxus puniceus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chlorogenic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hydroxycinnamic acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sinapic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Scadoxus puniceus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include neurological disorders.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
neurological disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆