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Gloriosa superba

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Liliales Family: Colchicaceae Genus: Gloriosa

climbing lily, flame lily, glory lily

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Colchicine in prescribed doses is used to treat gout. Molecular biologists use colchicine as a way to study cell and chromosome division.

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Notes

  • Contains a chemical (colchicine) in all parts, but is concentrated in its roots, that stops cell division and can lead to death in large enough doses

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 305 (1753)

Other References

Poisonous Plants of Paradise (Scott and Thomas) p.72-73

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Gloriosa superba Koloa Dist.; Lawai Valley, Allerton Gardens Preserved_Specimen Sprawling herb w/stems to 5', branched above; lvs glossy medium green above, glossy grey-green below; tepals bright greenish-yellow fading brownish-maroon. Flynn, T.W. 5645 Kauai BISH 1994-10-14
2 Gloriosa superba Honolulu: Pacific Heights area; 3251 Pacific Heights Road Growing alongside hedge in full sun. Preserved_Specimen Some plants single stemmed, others sparsely branched; stems to 1.2 m in length, most supported by the hedge; perianth parts chartreuse w/dark pink or crimson particulary medially & distally, with a maroon patch at inner base; flr odorless (morning). Lau, J. 1771 Oahu BISH 1985-12-26
3 Gloriosa superba Hilo Preserved_Specimen Flowers red and yellow. (Not on sheet) 306 Hawaii BISH 1980-12-17
4 Gloriosa superba Foster Botanic Gardens Preserved_Specimen Mature flowering branch & seedlings. Miyashiro, Y. Oahu BISH 1962-03-03
5 Gloriosa superba Matlock Ave. residence of H.H. Lyon Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. Oahu BISH 1935-04-01
6 Gloriosa superba Kailua; from tuber purchased 2 yrs ago in Star Garden Supply Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Climbing to 8' tall by leaf tip-tendrils, stem branched near top. Flowers (past) were dull brick red and cream. Fruits oblong, 3-lobed pods, bright green, unripe. Staples, G.W. 1155 Oahu BISH 1998-01-15
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