Clivia Miniata

Author: Guo Wenchang (Editor) / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: In China, Clivia miniata is used to treat tumors, liver cirrhosis with ascites, and hepatitis with certain efficacy. Abroad, it is used as a herbal medicine to treat bites, fever, and induce labor. Bioactive alkaloids isolated from Clivia miniata plants exhibit antiviral and antitumor effects, improving the zinc/copper ratio in serum of patients with coronary heart disease, gastric cancer, and lung cancer, thereby playing a preventive and therapeutic role. The aqueous extract and alcohol precipitate of Clivia miniata can enhance myocardial contractility and reduce cardiac load, exhibiting mild sedative, analgesic, and hypotensive effects while slowing heart rate. Therefore, it can be used as a screening drug for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. The total alkaloids of Clivia miniata inhibit the growth of hepatoma-induced tumors in mice, with a tumor inhibition rate of 57.5%, demonstrating significant antitumor activity. They also affect cell growth and division but do not cause chromosomal aberrations. The total alkaloids of Clivia miniata can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and are. The extract of Clivia miniata exhibits strong inhibitory activity against Semliki Forest virus. The crude extracts of the roots and leaves of Clivia miniata contain lycorine, which shows antiviral effects by inhibiting cytopathic effects caused by certain DNA and RNA viruses on VERO cells. At a concentration as low as 1 μg/mL, it can inhibit poliovirus, while concentrations exceeding 25 μg/mL may cause cytotoxicity. However, it has no direct on extracellular viruses.
Chemical Composition
Alkaloids: The roots and entire plant of Clivia miniata contain lycorine, cliviamine, clivine, lycorine, and clivine.
Glycosides: The water extract of the roots contains glycosides with steroid pentacyclic lactone rings as cardiac glycosides.
Flavonoid Glycosides: From the flowers and leaves of Clivia miniata, cyanidin 3-O-β-(2G-xylosylrutinose), cyanidin 3-O-p-(2G-glucosylrutinose), and pelargonidin 3-O-β-(2G-glucosylrutinose) have been isolated.
Amino Acids: Clivia miniata contains 17 types of amino acids in different parts. The total amino acid content in descending order is flowers, leaves, roots, endocarp, exocarp and mesocarp, peduncle and flower stalk, and seeds. The essential amino acid content in descending order is flowers, leaves, endocarp, roots, exocarp and mesocarp, seeds, and peduncle and flower stalk. The content of acidic amino acids is higher than that of alkaline amino acids in all parts. Among the 17 amino acids in Clivia miniata, there are two acidic amino acids—aspartic acid and glutamic acid; three alkaline amino acids—arginine, lysine, and histidine; and the remaining 12 are neutral amino acids. Although the number of acidic amino acids is fewer than that of alkaline amino acids, their content is higher than that of alkaline amino acids in all parts.
Inorganic Elements: Clivia miniata contains strontium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, copper, nickel, fluorine, iodine, chromium, titanium, lead, cadmium, mercury, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and chlorine in all parts. The total content of essential trace elements decreases in the order of leaves, roots, endocarp, flowers, exocarp and mesocarp, peduncle and flower stalk, and seeds. The average content of inorganic elements varies greatly, and the content of the same element also differs significantly among different parts. The average zinc/copper ratio in all parts is 3.01. High zinc and low copper in the human body can lead to cholesterol disorders, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. An elevated zinc/copper ratio in soil is positively correlated with the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer. The average zinc/copper ratio in Clivia miniata is 3.01, much lower than that of terrestrial angiosperms (which are part of human plant-based food), which is 11.4—3.7 times higher. Therefore, Clivia miniata may play a preventive and therapeutic role by improving the zinc/copper ratio in serum of patients with coronary heart disease and gastric cancer.
Selenium: The content of selenium in different parts of Clivia miniata decreases in the order of endocarp, leaves, roots, flowers, peduncle and flower stalk, exocarp and endocarp, and seeds. The average selenium content in Clivia miniata is 0.072 mg/kg. Selenium is an essential trace element with special physiological functions, and both deficiency and excess can affect human health. Selenium is a necessary component of glutathione peroxidase, which can promote the destruction of continuously produced carcinogenic free radicals in the human body, thereby preventing cell carcinogenesis. Additionally, selenium can reduce the metabolic toxicity of carcinogens, enhance the immune function of the body, and strengthen the body's defense mechanisms.
Currently, commercial Clivia miniata products such as Clivia miniata wine, Clivia miniata-filtered cigarette, Clivia miniata-filtered safe cigarette, Clivia miniata cigarettes, Clivia miniata drinks, and Clivia miniata petite champagne are available. Clivia miniata is also used to design stamps, cigarette packs,, admission tickets, platform tickets, and tourist souvenirs. Parks, hotels, restaurants, post offices, washing machines, and joint-stock companies are named after Clivia miniata.
Pot Planting Techniques
Pots and Soil
1. Pots: For Clivia miniata, economic, practical, well-ventilated, and permeable clay pots (unglazed pots, earthenware pots) are preferred, as they promote the growth of succulent roots, prevent root rot, and enhance respiration. Glazed pots and porcelain pots are aesthetically pleasing and suitable for use as inner pots. Zisha pots are rustic and ornate, with excellent ventilation and drainage, making them suitable for growing Clivia miniata as well. When selecting clay pots, prioritize those with symmetrical shapes, fine clay, crisp sound, and uniform color. New earthenware pots are permeable, water-resistant, and conducive to the decomposition of nutrient soil and robust root growth, promoting the growth of flower seedlings. Deeper pots are better than shallow ones, as they allow for the addition of permeable fillers like charcoal pieces at the bottom, maintaining soil looseness and ventilation.
The size of the pot should match the size of the Clivia miniata plant. Match the plant to the pot according to its age. If the pot is too large, sunlight may not penetrate sufficiently, leading to poor root development and reduced water and nutrient absorption. If the pot is too small, there will be insufficient nutrient soil, affecting fertility, and roots may be damaged, hindering growth.
One-year-old Clivia miniata should be planted in a 9 cm (3-inch) pot. Clivia miniata with 3–5 leaves should be planted in a 13–14 cm (4-inch) pot. Clivia miniata with 5–8 leaves should be planted in a 17–18 cm (5-inch) pot. Clivia miniata with 8–10 leaves should be planted in a 20–22 cm (6-inch) pot. Clivia miniata with 10–15 leaves should be planted in a 23–25 cm (7-inch) pot. Clivia miniata with 15–20 leaves should be planted in a 26–28 cm (8-inch) pot. Mature flowering Clivia miniata should be planted in a 33–42 cm (1-foot to 1-foot-2) pot.
2. Repotting: Clivia miniata should be repotted based on its age during the seedling stage. Mature Clivia miniata does not need to be repotted but only needs new soil. Select a pot according to the size of the Clivia miniata plant. After removing the plant, if there are no rotten, yellow roots, the original soil is still good, and no need to remove it. Place the soil attached to the original roots in the new pot and add some new nutrient soil. When repotting the following year, remove the root nutrient soil and replace it entirely with new nutrient soil, packing it firmly around the roots. Otherwise, water and nutrients may not reach the roots, causing excessive dryness and leading to "stem bending." When repotting, place loose coarse sand and large pieces of leaf soil at the bottom of the pot. This allows roots to extend easily, ensures good drainage, prevents drainage holes from clogging, and avoids waterlogging and root rot.
When repotting Clivia miniata, pay attention to three key steps: removal, planting, and watering.
Removal: The day before removing Clivia miniata seedlings, do not water the seedling pot to reduce the adhesion between the soil and the pot, making it easier to remove the seedlings. The method of removal varies depending on the age of the seedling. For seedlings, use the index and middle fingers of one hand to hold the base of the seedling, while holding the seedling pot with the other hand and turning it upside down, gently tapping the edge of the pot to remove the seedling. For plants before flowering, hold the false bulb of Clivia miniata with one hand and support the pot with the other, turning it upside down and gently tapping the edge of the pot on a square stool to remove the plant. Alternatively, use a bamboo chopstick to loosen the soil before removing the plant. For flowering Clivia miniata, two people should operate. Loosen the soil along the edge of the pot, turn it upside down, and use a wooden stick to poke the soil clump at the bottom drainage hole while manually removing the plant from the pot. Avoid breaking leaves, shaking off flowers or fruits.
After removing the plant from the pot, remove empty, rotten, and residual roots, and trim excessively dense, aging roots while maintaining the integrity of the root system. Do not disturb the roots when removing flowering or fruiting Clivia miniata. When breaking the soil clump, avoid damaging leaves and ensure no soil enters the leaf sheath. Keep the leaves clean and orderly.
Planting: Match the plant to the pot. Cover the drainage holes at the bottom of the selected pot with a piece of tile, and lay a thin layer of sand or furnace ash for drainage. Then place 2–3 cm of nutrient soil on top and position the Clivia miniata plant on the soil, ensuring the roots are spread out. Bend excessively long roots within the pot and support them with your hands while continuing to add nutrient soil.