Crinum asiaticum

Crinum asiaticum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:	Amaryllidoideae
Genus:	Crinum
Species:	C. asiaticum
Binomial name
Crinum asiaticum L.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Bulbine asiatica (L.) Gaertn.

Crinum asiaticum, commonly known as poison bulb, giant crinum lily, grand crinum lily, or spider lily,^[2] is a plant species widely planted in many warmer regions as an ornamental. It is a bulb-forming perennial producing an umbel of large, showy flowers that are prized by gardeners. However, all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Some reports indicate exposure to the sap may cause skin irritation.^[2][3]

Crinum asiaticum is native to East Asia, tropical Asia, Australia and islands of the Pacific and western Indian oceans. It is naturalized in Mexico, the West Indies, the US (Florida and Louisiana), numerous Pacific islands, Madagascar and the Chagos Archipelago.^[1]

Description

Crinum asiaticum is a perennial herb that typically grows up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall.^[4] It has a leaf base. Its pseudobulb is spherical. The upper part of the bulb is cylindrical. The base is laterally branched, with a diameter of about 6–15 cm. Its leaves are lanceolate, margin undulate, apically acuminate. They feature 1 sharp point and are dark green, growing up to 1 m long. Their width is 7–12 cm or wider and they number 20-30. The inflorescence is an umbel with 10-24 flowers, six petaloid tepals, and aromatic. The flower stem is erect, as long as the leaf, and solid. The spathe is lanceolate, membranous, and 6–10 cm. The bractlet liner is 3–7 cm. Its perianth tube is slender and straight, green white, 7–10 cm, diameter 1.5–2 mm. The corolla is spider-like shaped, white, linear, revolute, attenuate, 4.5–9 cm long, and 6–9 mm wide. The corolla is 6-lobed. The pedicel is ca 0.5-2.5 cm long. It has 6 reddish stamens. The filaments are 4–5 cm long. The anthers are liner, attenuate, ca. 1.5 cm long or more. The ovary is fusiform, and up to 2 cm long. The fruit is an oblate capsule, green, and 3–5 cm in diameter. The seeds are large, and the exotesta is spongy.

Toxicity

The entire plant is toxic, especially the bulb.^[4] It contains a variety of alkaloids such as lycorine^[5] and tazettine. When eaten, it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, constipation, irregular breathing, rapid pulse, fever, etc.; sufficient misuse can cause nervous system paralysis and death.^[6]

Use

In video

The Tao people indigenous to Taiwan's Orchid Island uses slices of its stem (known as vakong) tied to a heavy object to bait fish going into their nets. The Paiwan and Puyuma peoples use this plant (livakong) as a natural boundary plant.^[7]

References

1. "Crinum asiaticum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
2. "PlantFiles: Poison Bulb, Giant Crinum Lily, Grand Crinum Lily, Spider Lily Crinum asiaticum". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
3. "Crinum asiaticum". floridata.com. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
4. "Crinum asiaticum - L." Plants for a Future. Archived from the original on 2010-09-24. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
5. Ilavenil, S.; Kaleeswaran, B.; Sumitha, P.; Tamilvendan, D.; Ravikumar, S. (18 April 2011). "Protection of human erythrocyte using Crinum asiaticum extract and lycorine from oxidative damage induced by 2-amidinopropane". Pub Med. 18 (2): 181–187. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2010.11.001. PMC 3730559. PMID 23961122.
6. "Crinum Lily Poisonous or Toxic: Are Crinum Lilies Safe To Grow?". Plant Care Today. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2022-01-16. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
7. "民族植物隨筆12: 文殊蘭 Crinum asiaticum L. var. sinicum (Roxb. ex Herb.) Baker". Taishan Nature Laboratory (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2008-08-28.