Caribbean Lily

Overview

The native range of this herb is Central Mexico to Tropical America. Xiphidium caeruleum is cultivated in several neotropical countries as an ornamental. It also has a certain utilization in the traditional medicine of the origin countries for various pathologies.

Vernacular Names

Ebesere-bina (Surinamese), Poderosa (Spanish).

Agroecology

Found in the underwood of the humid forets, at the margins ofthe footpaths and of waterstreams, from the sea level up to about 1.400 m of altitude. Grows best at the temperature of 24 - 26 °C. Preferably in position from slightly shaded to shaded, on draining soils, rich of organic substance, maintained constantly humid, even if it is able to bear short drought periods. 

Morphology

• Roots - fibrous, stolons 5-55 cm long, rooting at the nodes, each node with a membranous, brownish, ovate bract, basally sheathing, apex acuminate, 8-10(-22) mm long. 
• Rhizome - cylindrical, 4-20 cm long and about 1 cm of diameter, white to brownish red inside, horizontal, creeping.
• Stem - semi-erect, 10-30 cm long, compressed.
• Leaves - alternate simple, distichous, linear with pointed apex, margin finely toothed towards the apex and bases wrapping the stem, 20-60 cm long and 1.5-6 cm broad, streaked of intense green colour and glossy.
• Flower - erect terminal panicle inflorescences, 8-40 cm of diameter, with 6 ovate tepals, 3 external, 4-10 mm long and 1-4 mm broad, and 3 internal slightly smaller, 3 stamina and globose superior ovary.
• Fruits - globose trilocular dehiscent capsules, 5-10 mm of diameter, initially green, then red-orange and finally black, containing several seeds.
• Seeds - black, subglobose, tuberculate, 0.5-1 mm in diameter.

Cultivation

It reproduces by seed (generative propagation), and by rhizome division (vegetative propagation).

Chemical Constituents

Phenylphenalenones, phenylbenzoisoquinolindiones alkaloids, phenylbenzoisochromenones, and flavonoids.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• In Guyana the plant is used to cure the worm infection which gives a curved foot.
• In Suriname the plant is a remedy (bina) against torn foot soles.