''Crocosmia paniculata'' is a bulbous flowering plant that is native to eastern South Africa,

Lesotho Lesotho, formally the Kingdom of Lesotho and formerly known as Basutoland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, it is the largest of only three sovereign enclave and exclave, enclaves in the world, t ...

, and

Eswatini Eswatini, formally the Kingdom of Eswatini, also known by its former official names Swaziland and the Kingdom of Swaziland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa on all sides except the northeast, where i ...

, 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 escaped 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 Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. 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 (), also known as the Basotho (), are a Sotho-Tswana peoples, Sotho-Tswana ethnic group indigenous to Southern Africa. They primarily inhabit the regions of Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The ancestors of the Sotho peo ...

as an

antidiarrhoeal Antidiarrheals are a class of medication used primarily to manage and reduce the frequency of diarrhea. This class of medication predominantly works by slowing digestion, reducing fluid loss, or improving absorption. There are four main classes: op ...

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