Gloriosa
superba 'Rothschildiana' Flame
of the Woods, Flame Lily, Climbing Lily, Glory Lily
Gloriosa Lilies are a
climbing member of the Lily family, which are natives of
South Africa. These tubers are also a vine that climbs
by means of tendrils at the tips of their leaves. Some
common names include Gloriosa Lily, Flame of the Woods,
Flame Lily, Climbing Lily and Glory Lily. All parts of
plant including rootstock, are highly toxic if ingested;
handling tubers may irritate the skin.
-- All parts the Gloriosa
Lily contain a chemical called colchicine. This chemical
is used by plant breeders to double up the chromosomes
in a plant’s DNA, thus it is used in hybridizing
plants. Colchicine is a serious health problem if any
part of the plant is swallowed, especially the tubers.
Initial poisoning symptoms of colchicine develop in 2 to
6 hours. Contact your physician or poison control center
immediately is Gloriosa Lily poisoning is suspected. --
The unusual and exotic
flowers of the Gloriosa Lily have been featured on a US
postage stamp and are the national flower of Zimbabwe,
Africa. Gloriosa makes an outstanding cut flower in
arrangements, and the configuration of its stamens and
pistil has been compared to a clock and a minute hand.
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Tropical
Flowers, U.S. Postage Stamps, issued May 1, 1999 |
Blooming in mid-summer,
these strange and exotic looking lily-like flowers are 4
to 5 inches across with wavy-edged petals that are
reflexed back as if blown by a strong wind. In bud, the
petals face downward, but they open up to a backward
arch.
These wavy, swept-back
petals are crimson red, with a yellow base and edged in
bright yellow making the blossoms look like they're on
fire. The green stamens are extremely prominent and
spread outward, and the pistil points to the side of the
nodding blooms.
They produce weak,
trailing stems clothed with glossy, lush green, whorled
leaves which are tipped at the ends with tendrils to aid
in climbing. The fast growing vines can climb up to 8
feet on a fence or trellis in warm weather, bloom, then
die.
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Gloriosa
Lily. Click to enlarge. |
Gloriosa Lily.
Click to enlarge. |
Plant
Facts:
Common Name:
Gloriosa
Lily, Flame of the Woods, Flame Lily, Climbing Lily,
Glory Lily
Botanical Name:
Gloriosa
superba 'Rothschildiana'
Family:
Liliaceae
Plant Type:
Tuberous climbing lily-vine
Origin:
Native to Tropical Africa and India
Zones:
8 (in sheltered areas) - 11
Height:
to 8'
Rate of Growth: Fast
Salt Tolerance: Low
Soil Requirements:
Improved sandy
soil. Needs good drainage; cannot
stand flooding.
Water Requirements:
Water well when actively growing, no water
when tubers are dormant
Nutritional Requirements: Balanced
liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure
Light Requirements: Full
to partial sun
Form:
Climbing perennial vine
Leaves:
Ovate-lance-shaped to oblong glossy bright green
leaves, 2 to 3" long which narrow to form terminal
tendrils, 1-1/4 to 2" long.
Flowers: Summer
to Autumn, nodding flowers, 2 to 4" across, are
borne from upper leaf axis. Flowers have 6 reflexed,
wavy-margined, red tepals, often yellow margined, with
long, protruding stamens.
Fruits:
N/A
Pests or diseases:
Aphids, anthracnose,
viruses, bulb rot.
Uses:
The vine is
weak and sparse standing alone, so is best combined with
another vine on a trellis, a shrub, or a fence.
Bad Habits: All
parts of plant are Highly Poisonous.
Cost: $$ --
Very reasonable
Propagation:
Offsets and division of tubers.
Source:  A-Z
Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
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