Asian Poison Bulb
Crinum asiaticum
Family: Amaryllidaceae
What it is like
Crinum asiaticum is a BULB growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Introduced and locally naturalised in wet places in Florida and Louisiana.
E. Asia - China, Burma, Vietnam.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The bulb contains alkaloids, notably lycorine and crinamine. A poultice made from the heated, pounded, fresh bulb is used to relieve osteodynia and rheumatism. The juice of the fresh bulb is used as an emetic, whilst it is also instilled in the ear to treat otis. A poultice of the heated, pounded, fresh leaves is used to treat contusions, sprains, fractures, luxations etc. A decoction of the dried leaves is used as a wash in the treatment of haemorrhoids.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Prefers a deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. The bulbs must have sufficient moisture during the growing season. Plants are not very cold hardy, tolerating occasional lows down to about -5°c. In regions at the limits of their cold hardiness, they are best given the protection of a south or southwest facing wall. Plant the bulbs shallowly, with the neck of the bulb at soil level, and give a protective mulch of bracken or compost in the winter. A robust and very variable species. Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and can take several years to become established. After this, they will usually reproduce rapidly from offsets to produce the overcrowded conditions that stimulate them to flower freely.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The bulb is said to be poisonous.