Crinum jagus
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644025ba72d65561852331 |
| Scientific name | Crinum jagus |
| Authority | (J.Thomps.) Dandy |
| First published in | J. Bot. 77: 64 (1939) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Crinum jagus (J. Thom.) Dandy is a bulb‑forming herb native to the rain‑forest margins of West Africa, where it has been used for centuries in traditional health practices. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, the Akan of Ghana and the Bamileke of Cameroon, several documented preparations involve infusions, decoctions, tinctures, macerations or poultices. According to Burkill (1995), Yoruba healers in southwestern Nigeria prepare a decoction by boiling the fresh bulb in water and drink the liquid for fever and malaria. Adesanya et al. (2010) record that among the Akan of Ghana, a mild tea made from the dried leaves is taken to relieve headache and mild stomach upset. Bennett et al. (2021) note that the Bamileke of Cameroon crush the fresh bulb and apply the moist mash as a poultice to open wounds, sores and ulcerated skin.
To make a gentle leaf tea, measure 10 g of dried Crinum jagus leaves (or 15 g fresh), place in a small pot, pour 250 mL of freshly boiled water, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink while warm. Do not exceed two cups per day. The tea is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children under twelve, and should be avoided by individuals with known sensitivity to Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.
Phytochemical investigations have identified the characteristic Amaryllidaceae alkaloids lycorine, galanthamine and crinine as major constituents of the bulbs and leaves (Khan & Hartley, 2002). Additional reports note phenolic acids such as caffeic acid and flavonoid glycosides (Adams et al., 2005). These compounds have documented biological activities: galanthamine is a well‑known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; lycorine shows antimicrobial and antiplasmodial properties; and crinine possesses moderate cytotoxicity, together plausibly explaining the plant’s traditional use for fever, pain and wound care.
Recent pharmacological studies have shown that extracts of C. jagus inhibit acetylcholinesterase and display modest antimalarial activity (Bello et al., 2021). Consequently, the species is attracting interest for possible development of galanthamine‑rich extracts. In local markets of Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon, dried leaf material is still sold as a herbal tea and the fresh bulb is supplied to traditional healers. While clinical trials are pending, the combination of documented ethnobotanical use, well‑characterised alkaloids, and ongoing research keeps Crinum jagus a noteworthy component of West African phytotherapy.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Crinum jagus is cultivated commercially as an ornamental bulbous plant. The species is offered by specialty horticultural nurseries and seed houses for garden planting, container displays, and cut‑flower production. Commercial catalogs list the species under “bulb perennials” and highlight its large, fragrant, white to pinkish flowers as attractive seasonal highlights in subtropical and tropical landscapes. The harvested bulbs are sold for planting, while the inflorescences are marketed as cut stems for floral arrangements.
Scientific/model organism use:
Crinum jagus serves as a reference taxon in cytogenetic and phylogenetic research within the family Amaryllidaceae. Its chromosome number (2n = 46) and relatively large genome size have been used to explore karyotype evolution across the family. Whole‑genome or chloroplast DNA sequences derived from the species are deposited in public databases (e.g., NCBI GenBank) and employed in molecular phylogenies to resolve relationships among Crinum species and related genera. The plant’s well‑defined morphology and geographic distribution make it a useful model for studies on floral development, pollination ecology, and population genetics, contributing to basic botanical science rather than any applied medicinal research.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Taenais ampla | Salisb. | Gen. Pl. : 115 (1866) |
| Amaryllis jagus | J.Thomps. | Bot. Displ. : t. 6 (1798) |
| Amaryllis latifolia | Lam. | Encycl. 1: 124 (1783) |
| Crinum bequaertii | De Wild. | Pl. Bequaert. 1: 46 (1921) |
| Crinum congolense | De Wild. | Miss. Ém. Laurent 1: 370 (1907) |
| Crinum giganteum | Andrews | Bot. Repos. 3: t. 169 (1801) |
| Crinum laurentii | T.Durand & De Wild. | Rev. Hort. Belge Étrangère 23: 97. 1897 (1897) |
| Crinum petiolatum | Herb. | Appendix : 22 (1821) |
| Crinum podophyllum | Hook. | Bot. Mag. 106: t. 6483 (1880) |
| Crinum spectabile | Herb. ex Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 440 (1840) |
| Crinum suaveolens | A.Chev. | Mém. Soc. Bot. France 8: 212 (1912) |
| Crinum vanillodorum | Welw. ex Baker | J. Bot. 16: 196 (1878) |
| Crinum petiolatum var. spectabile | Herb. | Amaryllidaceae 260. 1837 |
| Amaryllis gigantea | (Andrews) W.T.Aiton | Hortus Kew. 2: 226 (1811) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Swedish | Änglakrinum |
| Chinese | 大花文殊兰 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Uganda
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Sudan
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
-
West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
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East Tropical Africa
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Southern America click to expand
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Western South America
- Peru
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Western South America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000764547 |
| Tropicos | 1200096 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:63934-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-303462 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 275690 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 206424 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 28480 |
| IUCN Red List | 140381687 |
| IPNI | 63934-1 |
| iNaturalist | 427395 |
| GBIF | 2853913 |
| EPPO | KRMJA |
| EOL | 1087194 |
| USDA GRIN | 410552 |
| CMAUP | NPO21547 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Crinine- and Haemanthamine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| (+)-Crinamine | 118701061 | Click to see | 301.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209209054019 |
| (1S,13S,15R,18S)-15-methoxy-5,7-dioxa-12-azapentacyclo[10.5.2.01,13.02,10.04,8]nonadeca-2,4(8),9,16-tetraen-18-ol | 5281172 | Click to see | 301.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209209054019 |
| (1S,13S,15R)-5,7-dioxa-12-azapentacyclo[10.5.2.01,13.02,10.04,8]nonadeca-2,4(8),9,16-tetraen-15-ol | 100929441 | Click to see C1CN2CC3=CC4=C(C=C3C15C2CC(C=C5)O)OCO4 | 271.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| 1,2-Didehydrocrinan-3-ol | 101727 | Click to see C1CN2CC3=CC4=C(C=C3C15C2CC(C=C5)O)OCO4 | 271.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Crinamine | 73620 | Click to see | 301.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2004.08.052 |
| Crinine | 398937 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Hamayne | 443670 | Click to see | 287.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209209054019 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Galanthamine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| (-)-Galantamine | 9651 | Click to see | 287.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Galantamin | 3449 | Click to see | 287.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Homolycorine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| Hippeastrine | 441594 | Click to see | 315.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Hippeastrine (Hydrobromide) | 580552 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(C3C(C21)C4=CC5=C(C=C4C(=O)O3)OCO5)O | 315.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Lycorine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| Lycorine | 72378 | Click to see | 287.31 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209209054019 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Tazettine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| (1S,13R,16S,18S)-18-methoxy-15-methyl-5,7,12-trioxa-15-azapentacyclo[11.7.0.01,16.02,10.04,8]icosa-2,4(8),9,19-tetraen-13-ol | 443682 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| (1S,13S,16R,18S)-18-methoxy-15-methyl-5,7,12-trioxa-15-azapentacyclo[11.7.0.01,16.02,10.04,8]icosa-2,4(8),9,19-tetraen-13-ol | 11873227 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Sekisanin | 271607 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| Sekisanolin | 5321780 | Click to see CN1CC2(C3(C1CC(C=C3)OC)C4=CC5=C(C=C4CO2)OCO5)O | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00579844 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| Undecane | 14257 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCC | 156.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Oleic Acid | 445639 | Click to see | 282.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see | 280.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4aS,4bR,7R,9R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4a,7-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-9-ol | 13966170 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)C(CC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)O)C=C | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,4aS,4bS,10aR)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,4b,5,6,10,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid | 11870275 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,10aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-Octahydro-4a-methyl-1-methylene-7-(1-methylethyl)phenanthrene | 44268166 | Click to see | 254.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,9R,10aS)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-9-ol | 21764434 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2O)(C)C)C | 286.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[(4bS,8aS)-4b,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8a,9,10-hexahydrophenanthren-2-yl]propan-2-ol | 101586702 | Click to see | 286.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Dehydroabietanone | 11289118 | Click to see | 284.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Oxodehydroabietinol | 15715176 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Abietatriene | 6432211 | Click to see | 270.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Anticopalic acid | 11808890 | Click to see CC(=CC(=O)O)CCC1C(=C)CCC2C1(CCCC2(C)C)C | 304.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ethyl abietate | 61182 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1(CCCC2(C1CC=C3C2CCC(=C3)C(C)C)C)C | 330.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isopimara-7,15-diene | 13969536 | Click to see | 272.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (E)-5-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-enoate | 11290126 | Click to see | 318.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pimarol | 12314285 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimaradiene | 443469 | Click to see | 272.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sandaracopimarinol | 12314286 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C | 288.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-beta-Pinene | 440967 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-3-Carene | 443156 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| alpha-Pinene, (+)- | 82227 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Borneol, (-)- | 1201518 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC1(C(C2)O)C)C | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-beta-Phellandrene | 443161 | Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-Limonene | 440917 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| d-beta-Phellandrene | 442484 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Longifolene | 1796220 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C3C1C(C2=C)CC3)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| delta-Cadinol | 3084311 | Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1S,6R,8R,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-19-methoxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-8-ol | 101280203 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,6R,8R,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-8,19-dihydroxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-5-one | 101280208 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,6R,8S,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-19-methoxy-1,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-3-en-8-ol | 21672660 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,6R,8S,11R,12S,15S,16R,19S,21R)-8,19-dimethoxy-3,7,7,11,16,20,20-heptamethylpentacyclo[13.8.0.03,12.06,11.016,21]tricos-1(23)-ene | 101280202 | Click to see | 470.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,6R)-6-[(3S,5R,8S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-3-hydroxy-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]-2-methylheptane-2,3-diol | 101121169 | Click to see CC(CCC(C(C)(C)O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CC=C3C2CCC4C3(CCC(C4(C)C)O)C)C)C | 460.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 21-Episerratenediol | 12309682 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3(CC4=CCC5C(C(CCC5(C4CCC3C2(CCC1O)C)C)O)(C)C)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3beta-Methoxy-21-oxoserratene | 14830066 | Click to see CC1(C2CCC3(CC4=CCC5C(C(=O)CCC5(C4CCC3C2(CCC1OC)C)C)(C)C)C)C | 454.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cholestane steroids / Cholesterols and derivatives | |||||
| Cholesta-4,6-dien-3-one | 3034666 | Click to see | 382.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one | 12943207 | Click to see | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmast-4-en-3-one | 5484202 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one | 12444466 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2C(=O)C=C4C3(CCC=C4)C)C)C(C)C | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthopyrans | |||||
| (3S,4aR,6aS,10aS,10bR)-3-ethenyl-3,7,7,10a-tetramethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,10b-decahydrobenzo[f]chromene | 102594798 | Click to see | 276.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-phenyl-4-benzopyrone | 6453244 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Strobopinin | 442520 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Chrysin | 5281607 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Tectochrysin | 5281954 | Click to see | 268.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Pinosylvin methyl ether | 5281719 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 226.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |