''Crocosmia paniculata'' is a bulbous flowering plant that is native to eastern South Africa,
Lesotho
Lesotho ( ), officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a country landlocked country, landlocked as an Enclave and exclave, enclave in South Africa. It is situated in the Maloti Mountains and contains the Thabana Ntlenyana, highest mountains in Sou ...
, and
Eswatini
Eswatini ( ; ss, eSwatini ), officially the Kingdom of Eswatini and formerly named Swaziland ( ; officially renamed in 2018), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its no ...
, growing in wet areas by streams, marshes, and drainages. Plants reach 4 to 5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) tall, with lanceolate leaves and deep orange to orange-brown flowers. It is a popular ornamental plant.
The plant has
escape cultivation and become established in the wild in parts of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
.
The common name Aunt Eliza is derived from the former generic name ''Antholyza''.
In Lesotho, where it is native, the plant is used by the indigenous
Sotho people
The Sotho () people, also known as the Basuto or Basotho (), are a Bantu nation native to southern Africa. They split into different ethnic groups over time, due to regional conflicts and colonialism, which resulted in the modern Basotho, who ...
as an
antidiarrhoeal
An anti-diarrhoeal drug (or anti-diarrheal drug in American English) is any medication which provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea.
Types
* Electrolyte solutions, while not true antidiarrhoeals, are used to replace lost fluids and salts in ac ...
remedy, administered not only to humans, but also to cattle so afflicted.
["Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa" Watt J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk M.G. pub. E&S Livingstone 1962 p.504 (under synonym Curtonus paniculatus N.E. Br.)]
References
External links
Photos from Bulb SocietyFlora of Zimbabwe
Iridaceae
Flora of Southern Africa
Plants described in 1867
{{Iridaceae-stub