Index to Flowers in the Order Liliales
Family: Colchicaceae
Gloriosa superba Flame Lily https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.p ... 42#p170674
Africa Wild Flower Book - Order Liliales
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Re: Africa Wild Flower Book - Order Liliales
Flame Lily Gloriosa superba (Vlamlelie)
Order: Liliales. Family: Colchicaceae
© mpostumus
Kruger National Park, around Pretoriuskop
Description
A climbing, erect or scandent herb, with annual stems growing from an elongated, often forked corm. Stems up to 3 m long in climbing plants, much shorter when erect. The glossy leaves have twining tips which coil onto nearby bushes, in this way the plant can use other plants as a support. Leaves numerous, opposite, whorled or alternate along the stem, variable from linear to broadly ovate, 6-15 cm long excluding a often tendrilous, coiled apex up to 7 cm long. The plant grows from an underground tuber, which is able to survive the dry season. The creeping stems, however, die off completely after fruiting. The flowers have flame-like petals and outstretched stamens. The petals are crisped along the margins and curled backwards to form rounded cage-like flowers. The colour of the flowers range from yellowish green to bright red with yellow margins.
Distribution
Throughout tropical Africa and Asia. Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga)
Habitat
The Flame Lily sprawls over rocks or low bushes. Prefers savanna and thickets. In grassy places and among rocks, sometimes climbing on other vegetation.
This plant is poisonous, toxic enough to cause human and animal fatalities if ingested.
Links: PlantZAfrica
Order: Liliales. Family: Colchicaceae
© mpostumusKruger National Park, around Pretoriuskop
Description
A climbing, erect or scandent herb, with annual stems growing from an elongated, often forked corm. Stems up to 3 m long in climbing plants, much shorter when erect. The glossy leaves have twining tips which coil onto nearby bushes, in this way the plant can use other plants as a support. Leaves numerous, opposite, whorled or alternate along the stem, variable from linear to broadly ovate, 6-15 cm long excluding a often tendrilous, coiled apex up to 7 cm long. The plant grows from an underground tuber, which is able to survive the dry season. The creeping stems, however, die off completely after fruiting. The flowers have flame-like petals and outstretched stamens. The petals are crisped along the margins and curled backwards to form rounded cage-like flowers. The colour of the flowers range from yellowish green to bright red with yellow margins.
Distribution
Throughout tropical Africa and Asia. Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga)
Habitat
The Flame Lily sprawls over rocks or low bushes. Prefers savanna and thickets. In grassy places and among rocks, sometimes climbing on other vegetation.
This plant is poisonous, toxic enough to cause human and animal fatalities if ingested.
Links: PlantZAfrica