Crinum is a genus of about 180 species of perennial plants that have large showy flowers on leafless stems, and develop from bulbs. They are found in seasonally moist areas, including marshes, swamps, depressions and along the sides of streams and lakes in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.

Description

Crinum thaianum, an aquatic species from Thailand

Vegetative characteristics

Large Crinum asiaticum growing in Hawaii

Crinum are bulbous perennial herbs[3][4] with tunicate bulbs[5] and basal, glabrous,[6] annual to perennial leaves.[3]

Generative characteristics

Crinum stuhlmannii infructescences
Detail of Crinum × amabile flower with stamens inserted at the throat of the perianth tube
Germinating Crinum seed

The bisexual,[5][3] sessile or pedicellate,[5][4] zygomorphic or actinomorphic flowers[4] are borne one umbellate or solitary inflorescences[3][4] with solid scapes.[4]


Cytology

Cytological studies have shown that 27 species of Crinum are diploid, having a typical chromosome count of 2n = 22. Abilio Fernandes found that the Orange River Crinum bulbispermum had a count of 2n = 66, and some desert Crinum macowanii 2n = 44. These polyploid species produce seeds that are often parthenogenetic triploid or diploids, lack vigour and seldom grow to mature plants.[7]

Taxonomy

It was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[8][2] The lectotype Crinum americanum L. was designated in 1923.[2]

Species

As of July 2014, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families lists 105 species of Crinum.[9] Amongst these are:

Formerly placed here

Hybrids

  • × Amarcrinum hybridised with Amaryllis
  • C. × powellii[11] (garden hybrid between C. bulbispermum and C. moorei) - pale pink, fragrant, lily-like flowers produced in late summer
    • C. × powellii 'Album'[12] (white flowered cultivar)

Etymology

The generic name Crinum comes from the Ancient Greek κρίνον (krinon), meaning lily, via the Latin crinum.[13]

Uses

Several species are used in aquariums and in aquascaping. These include Crinum calamistratum, Crinum malabaricum, Crinum natans, and Crinum thaianum.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Genus: Crinum L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2010-01-27. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  2. ^ a b c Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.-i). Crinum L. Tropicos. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://www.tropicos.org/name/40016532
  3. ^ a b c d Crinum. (n.d.). VicFlora Flora of Victoria. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/032b13e8-28e9-47de-b460-2efd1317b354
  4. ^ a b c d e Crinum in Flora of China @ efloras.org. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2025, from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=108369
  5. ^ a b c H.J. Hewson. Crinum, in (ed.), Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Crinum [Date Accessed: 27 January 2025]
  6. ^ Western Australian Herbarium & Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. (n.d.-a). Crinum L. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21237
  7. ^ "A Systematic Revision of the Genus Crinum". Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  8. ^ Linné, Carl von, & Salvius, Lars. (1753). Caroli Linnaei ... Species plantarum :exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas... (Vol. 1, p. 291). Impensis Laurentii Salvii. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358310
  9. ^ "Search for Crinum", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2014-07-07
  10. ^ "GRIN Species Records of Crinum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  11. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Crinum × powellii". Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  12. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Crinum × powellii 'Album'". Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  13. ^ "crinum". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  14. ^ Kasselmann, Christel (2020). Aquarium Plants. Teltow, Germany. pp. 210–214. ISBN 978-3-00-064912-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Bibliography

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