Skip to main content

Flame lily (Gloriosa superba)

Dlium Flame lily (Gloriosa superba)

Flame lily (Gloriosa superba) is a species of plant in the Colchicaceae, an annual shrub, grows to climb using leaf tip tendrils, fleshy stems up to 4 meters long, widely used as an ornamental plant due to its bright flower color and distinctive shape.

G. superba grows with gnarled rhizomes and climbs using leaf tendrils. Leaves alternate, lanceolate with outstretched tips, 13-20 cm long, thick, a bone in the center that forms a trench, smooth surface, flat margins and green in color.







Wavy flower tent, red top and greenish yellow base, has six corrugated tents and is 5-7.6 cm each. The fruit is capsule-shaped and fleshy, 6-12 cm long and contains red seeds. Butterflies and birds usually do pollination.

All parts of the plant contain colchicine where the leaves and tubers are about 0.1-0.8%, while the seeds are around 1.32%. Colchicine is a toxic and carcinogenic alkaloid compound that is soluble in water, alcohol and chloroform.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Liliales
Family: Colchicaceae
Genus: Gloriosa L. in Sp. Pl.: 305 (1753)
Species: Gloriosa superba L. in Sp. Pl.: 305 (1753)

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Eugone superba (L.) Salisb. in Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton: 238 (1796)
Methonica superba (L.) Crantz in Inst. Rei Herb. 1: 474 (1766)

HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS

Gloriosa angulata Schumach. in Beskr. Guin. Pl.: 171 (1827)
Gloriosa cirrhifolia Stokes in Bot. Mat. Med. 2: 237 (1812)
Gloriosa doniana Schult. & Schult.f. in J.J.Roemer & J.A.Schultes, Syst. Veg., ed. 15[bis]. 7: 366 (1829)
Gloriosa lutea Mast. in Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 29: 413 (1901)
Gloriosa nepalensis G.Don in J.C.Loudon, Loudon's Hort. Brit.: 131 (1830)
Gloriosa rockefelleriana Stehlé & M.Stehlé in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 111: 284 (1965)
Gloriosa rothschildiana O'Brien in Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 33: 322 (1903)
Gloriosa superba f. angustifolia Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(3): 316 (1898)
Gloriosa superba var. angustifolia Baker in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 17: 458 (1879)
Gloriosa superba f. doniana (Schult. & Schult.f.) T.Durand & Schinz in Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 417 (1894)
Gloriosa verschuurii Hoog in J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 75: 22 (1950)
Methonica doniana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Kunth in Enum. Pl. 4: 277 (1843)
Methonica gloriosa Salisb. in Trans. Hort. Soc. London 1: 331 (1812)
Methonica senegalensis Poit. in Rev. Hort. (Paris) 1: 263 (1830)

PUBLICATIONS

Baksh-Comeau, Y., Maharaj, S.S., Adams, C.D., Harris, S.A., Filer, D.L. & Hawthorne, W.D. (2016). An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Trinidad and Tobago with analysis of vegetation types and botanical 'hotspots'. Phytotaxa 250: 1-431.

Balkrishna, A. (2018). Flora of Morni Hills (Research & Possibilities): 1-581. Divya Yoga Mandir Trust.

Bhattacharya, R.P., Pal, D.C. & Pati, B.R. (2014). A sytematic census of monocot climbers of Bihar anf Jharkhand states. Indian Journal of Forestry 37: 317-324.

Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.

Catarino, L., Martins, E.S., Diniz, M.A. & Pinto-Basto, M.F. (2006). Check-list da flora vascular do parque natural das Lagos de Cufada (Guiné-Bissau). Garcia de Orta, Série de Botânica 17: 97-141.

Darbyshire, I., Kordofani, M., Farag, I., Candiga, R. & Pickering, H. (eds.) (2015). The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan: 1-400. Kew publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Dassanayake (ed.) (2000). A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon 14: 1-307. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. PVT. LTD., New Delhi, Calcutta.

Demissew, S. & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and other Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, ed, 2: 1-351. Shama Books, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Edwards, S., Demissew, S. & Hedberg, I. (eds.) (1997). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 6: 1-586. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia & The Department of Systematic Botany, Upps.

Fischer, E., Rembold, K., Althof, A. & Obholzer, J. (2010). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Kakamega forest, Western province, Kenya. Journal of East African Natural History 99: 129-226.

Fosberg, F.R. & Sachet, M.-H. (1987). Flora of the Gilbert Island, Kiribati, Checklist. Atoll Research Bulletin 295: 1-33.

Fosberg, F.R., Sachet, M.-H., Oliver, R. (1987). A Geographical Checklist of the Micronesian Monocotyledonae. Micronesica; Journal of the College of Guam 20: 19-129.

Geerinck, D. (2012). Contribution à la flore d' Afrique centrale: Colchicaceae et Flagellariaceae. Taxonomania. Revue de Taxonomie et de Nomenclature Botaniques 33: 1-30.

George, A.S. (ed.) (1987). Flora of Australia 45: 1-521. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds.) (2003). Plants of Southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14.: i-vi, 1-1231. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Gosline, G., Bidault, E., van der Burgt, X., Cahen, D., Challen, G., Condé, N., Couch, C., Couvreur, T.L.P., Dagallier, L.M.J., Darbyshire, I., Dawson, S., Doré, T.S., Goyder, D., Grall, A., Haba, P., Haba, P., Harris, D., Hind, D.J.N., Jongkind, & al. (2023). A Taxonomically-verified and Vouchered Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea. Nature, scientific data 10, Article number: 327: [1]-[12].

Govaerts, R. (2003). World Checklist of Seed Plants Database in ACCESS Genera starting with letter G: 1-40325.

Hancock, I.R. & Henderson, C.P. (1988). Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin Dodo Creek Research Station 7: 1-203.

Hara, H., Stearn, W.T. & Williams, H.J. (1978). An Enumeration of the Flowering Plants of Nepal 1: 1-154. Trustees of British Museum, London.

Hoenselaar, K. (2005). Colchicaceae. Flora of Tropical East Africa: 1-20.

Hộ, P.-H. (1993). Câycỏ Việtnam. An Illustrated flora of Vietnam 3(1): 1-603d. Pham-hoang Ho, Montréal.

Karthikeyan, S., Jain, S.K., Nayar, M.P. & Sanjappa, M. (1989). Florae Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae: 1-435. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.

Kotiya, A., Solanki, Y. & Reddy, G.V. (2020). Flora of Rajasthan: 1-769. Rajasthan state biodiversity board.

Kress, W.J., DeFilipps, R.A., Farr, E. & Kyi, D.Y.Y. (2003). A Checklist of the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers of Myanmar. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 45: 1-590.

Lebrun, J.-P., Audru, J., Gaston, A. & Mosnier, M. (1972). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Tchad Méridional: 1-289. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Lebrun, J.P., Toutain, B., Gaston, A. & Boudet, G. (1991). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Burkina Faso: 1-341. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Lejoy, J., Ndjele, M.-B. & Geerinck, D. (2010). Catalogue-flore des plantes vasculaires des districts de Kisangani et de la Tshopo (RD Congo). Taxonomania. Revue de Taxonomie et de Nomenclature Botaniques 30: 1-307.

Maroyi, A. (2012). The genus Gloriosa (Colchicaceae) - ethnobotany, phylogeny and taxonomy: 1-194. Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Noltie, H.J. (1994). Flora of Bhutan 3(1): 1-456. Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

Nurtjahya, E. & al. (2026). Flowering Plants of Bangka Island: Native and Introduced. Acta Botanica Hungarica 68: 127-156.

Orchard, A.E. (ed.) (1994). Oceanic Islands 1. Flora of Australia 49: 1-681. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Peyre de Fabregues, B. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1976). Catalogue des Plantes Vascularies du Niger: 1-433. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Plunkett, G.M., Ranker, T.A., Sam, C. & Balick, M.J. (2022). Towards a checklist of the vascular flora of Vanuatu. Candollea 77: 105-118.

Robertson, S.A. (1989). Flowering Plants of Seychelles: 1-327. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sita, P. & Moutsambote, J.-M. (2005). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Congo, ed. sept. 2005: 1-158. ORSTOM, Centre de Brazzaville.

Smith, A.C. (1979). Flora Vitiensis Nova. A new flora for Fiji (Spermatophytes only) 1: 1-495. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai.

Smitinand, T. & Larsen, K. (eds.) (1978). Flora of Thailand 1: 1-694. The Forest Herbarium, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok.

Sosef, M.S.M. & al. (2006). Check-list des plantes vasculaires du Gabon. Scripta Botanica Belgica 35: 1-438.

Sosef, M.S.M. & al. (eds.) (2010). Flore du Gabon 41: 1-75. Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; Margraf Publishers, Weikersheim; Meise Botanic Garden.

Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mt. Mulanje, Malawi. Scripta Botanica Belgica 34: 1-199.

Sykes, W.R. (2016). Flora of the Cook Islands: 1-973. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii.

Tanaka, N., Koyama, T. & Murata, J. (2005). The flowering plants of Mt. Popa, central Myanmar - Results of Myanmar-Japanese joint expeditions, 2000-2004. Makinoa 5: 1-102.

Thaman, R.R., Fosberg, F.R., Manner, H.I. & Hassall, D.C. (1994). The Flora of Nauru. Atoll Research Bulletin 392: 1-223.

Timberlake, J.R. & Martins, E.S. (eds.) (2009). Flora Zambesiaca 12(2): 1-208. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (ed.) (1948-1954). Flora Malesiana 4: 1-631. Noordhoff-Kolff N.V., Djakarta.

Velayos, M. & al. (eds.) (2018). Flora de Guinea Ecuatorial 10: 1-491. Consejo superior de investigaciones científicas, Real jardín botánico, Madrid.

Wester, L. (1985). Checklist of the vascular plants of the Northern Line Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin 287: 1-38.

Zhengyi, W. & Raven, P.H. (eds.) (2000). Flora of China 24: 1-431. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.

VERNACULAR NAME

Afrikaans: Rooiboslelie, Geelboslelie, Geelvlamlelie, Vlamlelie
Bengali: বিশালাঙ্গুলি - উলটচণ্ডাল Bishalanguli, Ulatchandal
Borana: Add'aawa, Gaal waaqa, Hamo, Homa, Like, Ooma
Catalan: Lliri de Foc
Chinese (simplified): 嘉兰
Chinese (traditional): 嘉蘭 鐵線雞爪 - 嘉蘭百合
Chopi: Chicomane, Pembekushe
Czech: Glorióza vznešená
Danish: Klatrelilje
English: Flame lily, Tiger's Claws, Gloriosa Lily, Climbing Liliy, Climing lily, Dragon Flower, Glory Lily, Superb lily, Turk' S Cap, Turk's Fez, Wild Aconite, Yellow Flame Lily
English: Glory Lily, Gloriosa lily, Tiger claw, claw
Finnish: Keijunlilja
Fula: Djambel gak, Jamabere jire
German: Ruhmeskrone
Gujarati: Dudhio, Vacchonag
Hausa: Baurere, Gatarin kurege, Gudumar zomo, Gufumar zomo
Hehe: Mugobogobo, Vitisambili
Herero: Otjinatjo
Hindi: बचनग - कद्यनाग - करी हारी - लांगुली - उलटचांडल - करिहारी - लांगोली - कुल्हारी - कलियरी Bachnag, kadyanag, Kari hari, Languli, Ulatchandal, Karihari, Langoli, Kulhari, Kaliari
Hong Kong: 嘉蘭 鐵線雞爪
Igbo: Ugaele, Uguele
Indonesian: Kembang sungsang, Bunga sungsang
Japanese: ユリグルマ - 狐百合
Kannada: Agnisikhe, Agnishika, Shivashakti, Karadikanninagadde, Siva-raktaballi, Siva-saktiballi, Kozhikutuma, Kolikutuma, Indana kanda
Kikuyu: Gikwa-Kia-Nduru, Mburiru, Mburiu
Kwanyama: Ompilu
Maasai: Marau, Molok, Molong
Macao: 嘉蘭 鐵線雞爪
Malayalam: Kanthel, Kariyilanchi, Karthikapoovu, Malathamara, Menthonni, Ventoni
Malayalam: Kithonni, Mendoni
Marathi: Kalalavi, Kal-lavi, Kadya-nag, Indai, Khadyanag, Vaghachabaka
Ndebele: Amagugulume, Amakukhulume, Amakukulume, Iliqude, Inya-nkuku, Liqude, Magugulume, Makukulume, Unyawo-lwenkuku, Unyawu-lwenkuku
Ndonga: Ompilu
Nepali: केवारा - हरिताली फूल - लङ्गाली - अग्निशिखा Kewaaraa, Haritaali Phool, Langalee, Agnishikhaa
Ngoni: Kandahi
Oria: Ognisikha, Meheria phulo, Karihara, Dasara phulo, Durga phulo, Nanangalia
Oriya: Garbhhoghhatono, Meheriaphulo, Ognisikha, Panjangulia
Polish: Glorioza wspaniała
Portuguese: Lírio-de-chama, Gloriosa, Lírio-de-escalada, Lírio-rastejante, Lírio-da-glória
Russian: Глориоза роскошная
Sanskrit: Langali, Agnimukhi, Agnisikha, Ailni, Garbhaghatini, Kalikari, Langaliki, Hali
Setawana: Sehokgwe
Shambaa: Mbegebege
Shona: Kajongwe
Slovak: Glorióza pyšná
Spanish: Gloriosa
Sukuma: Tengaluangoko
Swahili: Mwana funzi, Mkalamu
Taiwan: 嘉蘭百合
Tamil: செங்கந்தல் - கல்லப்பை கிழங்கு - களப்பைகிழங்கு - கண்வலிக்கொடி Chenkantal, Kallappai kilangu, Kalappaikizhanngu, Kanvalikodi
Telugu: Nageti gadda, Adavi-nabhi, Kalappa gadda, Ganjeri, Pottidumpa, Agnisikha
Thai: ดองดึง
Thonga: Ashikolohwani
Tonga: Matalamanda, Nyamahlokane
Tswana: SeHokgwe, Nachwa
Urdu: کنول - کلہار Kanol, Kulhar
Zulu: Comfana, Hlamvu, Hlamvu comfananentombhazana, Ihlamvu, Ihlamvu lasolwandle, Ihlamvu-labafana, Ihlamvu-lamfana nentombazana, Ihlamvu-lomfana-nentombazana, IHlamvu lasolwandle, Isikhwali sasolwandle, Isikhwali, Isimiselo, Nentombhazana, Uhlamvu Iwabafana

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dlium

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...

Javan mocca or Javan slender caesar (Amanita javanica)

OPINION - Javan mocca or Javan slender caesar ( Amanita javanica ) is a mysterious fungus species and has been enigmatic since it was first reported by Boedijn in 1951 and after that no explanation or reporting of specimens is believed to be the same as expected. Boedijn (1951) described A. javanica which grew on Java island as having the characteristics covered in the Amanita genus. Corner and Bas in 1962 tried to describe Javan mocca and all species in Amanita based on specimens in Singapore. Over time some reports say that they have found A. javanica specimens in other Southeast Asia including also China, Japan, India and Nepal. But there is no definitive knowledge and many doubt whether the specimen is the same as described by Boedijn (1951). I was fortunate to have seen this species one afternoon and soon I took out a camera for some shots. In fact, I've only met this mushroom species once. Javan mocca is an endangered species and I have never seen in my experience in...

Awar awar (Ficus septica)

Awar-awar or lagnob or hauli tree or barabar or sirih popar or tobo tobo ( Ficus septica ) is species of plants in Moraceae, trees grow in bushes or in neglected places and sap contained in roots, twigs, leaves and fruit is used to treat poisoning and digestive problems. F. septica is usually 1-5 m high, although in the forest it can be up to 25 m. Round, hollow and bare branches. Roots, twigs, leaves and fruit will emit a yellow sap and sticky if injured. The base of the leaves is large and spiky, arranged alternately or face to face with a stem length of 2.5-5 cm. Large leaf blade, round egg, 9-30x9-16 cm, rounded base and blunt narrow tip, flat-edged, upper side dark green with 6-12 secondary bones pale white. Fruit paired, single or clustered up to 4 items, short-stemmed, at the base has 3 protective leaves, light green or gray green and 1.5 cm in diameter. F. septica is food for 22 animal species including wasps, bats, birds, monkeys and mice as well as seed dispersing vecto...