SHORT FEATURE SHASHI KUMAR AND SUNITA GARG Zephyranthes grandifl ora Lindl., with the rising sun but start shu ing as commonly known as Pink Rain Lily, Fairy evening approaches. Lily or Zephyr Lily has captured a vast Like many species of Zephyranthes, EAUTIFUL deciduous bulbous area in the Indira Gandhi National Forest pink rai n lily bulbs and all parts of Bspecies of Zephyranthes Herb. Academy, Dehradun, as a nature’s gi . (Family-Amaryllidaceae) are o en the plants contain toxic alkaloids that They bloom during the rains, especially can cause vomiting, convulsions and found in Indian gardens, lawns, window with the pre-monsoon showers, and boxes and pots. The name Zephyranthes, death if ingested. According to available hence their name. The pink refreshing derived from the word ‘Zephyrus’ literature, researchers at Shanghai Normal colour of its fl owers fades the next day means the Greek God of west wind that University, China investigated the eff ect – generally the bloom does not last more reawakened nature each spring and of introduction of the Zephyranthes minuta than 36 hours. ‘anthos’ meaning fl ower. agglutinin gene (zga) into tobacco on its anti-pest ability for peach-potato aphids. The genus Zephyranthes is native to Regular watering is required but The zga gene was found integrated into the western hemisphere and to the higher not water-logging. It is a perennial herb the plant genome and a bioassay with altitudes like Mexico and Argentina where that lives its short fl owering life of about aphids indicated that transgenic plants the species possess greatest cold hardiness fi een days. The erect, funnel-shaped possess enhanced resistance to aphids. potential. The genus has been naturalized fl owers are borne singly at the end of Thus, the introduction of zga gene into and cultivated as an ornamental plant erect hollow scapes. Tightly furled, dark tobacco plants is a useful method to in places like India, Hawaii, Indonesia, red buds emerge from the bulbs on 20- improve its anti-pest ability for aphids. Thailand and other countries – especially 30 cm stalks before the fl owers open. Scientists at the Institute of temperate to tropical areas of the world. Four to six linear and fl a ened leaves are Himalayan Bioresource Technology, produced by each bulb; each is 15 to 30 In addition to their ornamental CSIR, Palampur isolated a betaine type a raction its various species are reported cm long and 6 to 8 mm wide, reddish at Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, Zephgrabetaine, to be used traditionally for health the bases and bright green for the rest of along with seven known alkaloids problems like headache, cough and their lengths. These grass-like fi liform, – lycorine, galanthine, lycoramine, cold, boils, breast cancer, tuberculosis, linear or strap shaped leaves maintain hamayne, haemanthamine, tortuosine, rheumatism and tumours. the greenery in winters. Flowers open and ungeremine – from the bulbs of the Science Reporter, DECEMBER 2016 46 SHORT FEATURE Above: Flowers of rain lily Left: Zephyranthes minuta (Kunth) D. Dietr., Pink Rain Lily in the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun campus It is a perennial herb that lives its short fl owering life of about fi fteen days. The erect, funnel-shaped fl owers are borne singly pink rain lily. The isolated alkaloids were Zephyranthes species thrive be er in semi- at the end of erect hollow tested for in vitro cytotoxic activities shade and fl ower well in sun and semi- scapes. Tightly furled, dark against two cell lines, C-6 (rat glioma shade. Their cultivation on a large scale cells) and CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster could yield be er and suffi cient quantity red buds emerge from the ovary cells). A dose-dependent cytotoxic of bulbs and also beautiful fl owers for bulbs on 20-30 cm stalks eff ect was exhibited by all the alkaloids on decoration and bouquets. these two cancer cell lines with prominent before the fl owers open. activity of lycorine and haemanthamine. Bulbs are cleaned before storage and In addition to Z. minuta other species, should be stored in dark, dry and airy March with copious watering. Although viz. Z. candida Herb. and Z. fl ava Roem. places until the time of the next planting. they are not much demanding, foliar & Schult., grown in India are reported to Storage condition is very important for growth and fl owering could be improved possess anti-cancerous activity. obtaining healthy bulbs. If the humidity with regular watering and fertilizer. is very high, the fungus develops on Some species of Amaryllidaceae the bulbs and causes ro ing. In very dry Researchers at the Bose Institute contain galanthamine, an acetylcho- atmosphere the bulbs shrivel and may lose and the Department of Pharmaceutical linesterase inhibitor approved for viability. Zephyranthes bulbs may remain Technology, Jadavpur University, the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, in the ground for three years before they Kolkata, have developed a protocol for and other alkaloids with interesting are li ed. But watering should be avoided the preparation of synthetic seeds using pharmacological activities. On an in vitro regenerated, genetically identical analysis of the chemical composition of when the bulbs are lying in dormant condition in the ground or pot. bulbs of Zephyranthes minuta. This study alkaloids from Z. minuta, the alkaloid elucidated an effi cient technique for extract from the bulbs showed promising Bulbs are planted in the spring, 30 exchange of germplasm and ex situ cholinesterase inhibitory activities to 40 mm deep and 2 to 15 cm apart. Top conservation. against human blood acetylcholinesterase dressing of organic manure once a year in (HuAChE; IC50 39.2±3.0 μg/ml) and Dr. Shashi Kumar, IFS, is Director, Indira Gandhi the rainy season promotes fl owering and human plasma butyrylcholinesterase National Forest Academy, Dehradun-248006 the bulbs may be le undisturbed for many (HuBuChE; IC50 356±9.3 μg/ml). Dr. (Mrs) Sunita Garg is Former Chief Scientist, years. The plants could be propagated by CSIR-NISCAIR and is now CSIR-Emeritus Rich in many medicinal properties, bulbs in shady situations during February- Scientist, CSIR-NISCAIR, New Delhi-110012 47 Science Reporter, DECEMBER 2016.