Common Name:

General Information

Kniphofia foliosa is a robust, perennial plant forming dense clumps of growth up to 175cm tall from a thick, erect rhizome. The plant is usually stemless, though stems up to 40cm long are occasionally formed; it produces a basal rosette of sword-shaped leaves up to 100cm long and 4 - 7cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and possibly also as a food. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental in Europe[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northeast Africa - Eritrea, Ethiopia.

Habitat

Along roadsides, in overgrazed grassland with scattered trees, on hillsides with rocky outcrops and on mountains, at elevations from 2,500 - 4,000 metres299].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevations in Ethiopia, where it can be found at elevations from 2,500 - 4,000 metres[]. It can be cultivated in the subtropics and in milder areas of temperate zones.
Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a light, sandy soil. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season, but the soil must be well-drained and preferably not too wet in the dormant season[].

Edible Uses

The rhizome is said to be edible[].

Medicinal

The rhizomes are used for the treatment of abdominal cramps[].

The plant is also used to eradicate endoparasites in cattle[].

Knipholone was isolated from the roots. It was the first phenylanthraquinone to be isolated and has since also been found in plants in the genera Bulbinella, Bulbine and Senna. Phenylanthraquinones have antiplasmodial activity with little cytotoxicity. The antiplasmodial activity is slightly less than that of chloroquine, and chloroquine resistant Plasmodium strains are resistant to the Kniphofia compounds as well[].
The roots also contain the anthraquinone chrysophanol as well as putrescine-derived amides[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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