Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Conservation
Key to the genera
GLORIOSA 211
biological laboratories. Colchicine, commonly found in
Gloriosa and Merendera, has been used in the treatment
of gout being effective against severe attacks. But its use
has been restricted due to its high toxicity. Colchicine
disturbs the cell division, and this property has been used
in plant breeding. Since it interferes with mitosis, it results
in the multiplication of chromosomes in the nucleus
without the process of cell division. As the cell division
could start with the withdrawal of colchicine treatment,
the process allows a new generation of polyploids and
possible varieties of a plant. Gloriosa and Colchicum are
used in horticulture.
Among the indigenous species, there is one endemic
species, Iphigenia pauciflora, known only from Tigray,
Shewa, Bale and Sidamo floristic regions in Ethiopia
and in Eritrea; some near endemics, e.g. Gloriosa
baudii known from the Gamo Gofa and Sidamo floristic
regions and adjacent areas in Somalia and northern
Kenya, Littonia revoilii known from NE parts of
Ethiopia and adajacent areas in Somalia, Djibouti, and
Yemen. Merendera schimperiana is widely distributed in
Ethiopia, and in adajacent areas in Somalia and southern
Arabia. The only threat to these species is severe habitat
degradation, and adequate care is required in the area of
their occurrence.
1. Leaves scattered along the stem, alternate on usually scandent, annual stems;
flower solitary; leaf-apex ending in tendrils 2
- Leaves basal, rosulate or distichous, on annual or perennial stems;
flowers variously arranged; leaf- apex not ending in tendrils 3
2. Perianth segments recurved; style at right angles to ovary; flowers usually bent
1. Gloriosa
- Perianth segments not recurved; style straight; flowers ± erect 2. Littonia
3. Flowers in a capitulum overtopped by exterior petaloid bracts
3. Androcymbium
- Flowers not in a capitulum overtopped by exterior petaloid bracts 4
4. Flowers solitary or two together, rarely three from a rosette of leaves; perianth
with a claw; stamens attached to the perianth segments; pedicels absent
4. Merendera