Scadoxus puniceus peduncle base

The pale green stem of a Scadoxus puniceus plant is solid and slightly compressed from cylindrical. Some plants have red-brown spots low down on the peduncle, not here. Spots are more common on the leaf bases of the pseudostem.

The sheath top of the bulbous upper part is above-ground on the plants in picture. The bulb is about 10 cm in diameter with a rhizomatous part at its base. It is poisonous; the pollen also said to be poisonous.

Still, some plant parts form part of traditional medicine. It is safe to pursue a tradition when the requisite knowledge is available (Duncan, et al, 2016; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).