Crinum macowanii

Baker

Cape coast lily

Amaryllidaceae Edible: Tubers, Root, Caution Potential hazards — see below 1,035 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Crinum macowanii is a species of flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a deciduous bulbous plant species native to Africa that has been used in traditional medicine throughout southern Africa. In Kenya this plant is known as Gîtoka in Kikuyu Language.

Description

A bulb. The bulbs are 6-25 cm across. It has fleshy roots. The leaves are large and up to 1 m long by 2-20 cm wide. They are bright green and fleshy and strap-like with wavy edges. The flowers are white with pink stripes. They have a scent.

Edible Uses

The tubers and roots are eaten, though caution should be used.

Medicinal Uses

The alkaloids lycorine, crinine, hamayne, cherylline, and bulbispermine have been isolated from samples of Crinum macowanii. The bulbs have been found to be significantly higher in alkaloid content than the roots, flowering stocks, or leaves. Lycorine is the major alkaloid found in the roots and the only alkaloid found in trace amounts in the leaves. Other lycorine-type alkaloids found in the bulbs include hippadine and epi-lycorine, as well as 1-O-acetyllycorine, which is also found in the flowering stocks and roots. Galantamine a selective, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has also been isolated from the bulbs. It has been approved for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease and has been studied for performance enhancing and nootropic activities as well as use in anesthesiology.

Known Hazards

Caution advised for edible portions.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows well in sun but can tolerate light shade. They are drought tolerant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are usually grown by seeds.

Synonyms

Crinum corradii Chiov. ex ChiarugiCrinum gouwsii Traub.Crinum johnstonii BakerCrinum macowanii subsp. confusum Verd.Crinum pedicellatum Pax.

Also Known As

Common vlei-lily, River crinum, River lily

References (1)

Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 73 (As Crinum pedicellatum)