Gloriosa superba aka Flame Lily

Gloriosa superba is known as flame lily or climbing lily. It belongs to the Colchicaceae family and grows from tubers. Its native range spans tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. It also occurs across the western Indian Ocean region. Wild plants grow in scrub, hedges, woods, grasslands, and dunes. They favour warm climates with a marked dry season.

This fast-growing vine sheds its leaves and dies back each year. Garden plants reach about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Some stems reach 20 feet [6 metres] in other settings. Slender stems rise from the tubers with few branches. Glossy green leaves have smooth edges and strong parallel veins. Their shape ranges from oval to narrow and pointed. Tendrils at the leaf tips grip nearby plants or supports. Stems can break when handled during training.

Flowers appear from midsummer into fall on long stalks. Each flower has six tepals that bend back. Their wavy edges frame red or orange with yellow bases. Some flowers are scarlet or yellow throughout. Long stamens spread outward from the flower. Butterflies and sunbirds pollinate the blooms. The fruit forms a leathery capsule with three sections. It changes from green to brown as it ripens. Each capsule holds about 20 round, red seeds with rough surfaces.

Grow it in full sun with shelter from harsh heat. Afternoon shade helps where the sun grows hot. It needs rich soil that stays moist but drains well. Loam suits it, across acid, neutral, or alkaline conditions. Water well during growth and feed every two weeks. Keep dormant tubers dry through winter to prevent rot. RHS rates it H1C for summer outdoor growing in Britain. NC State lists USDA zones 8–12. It needs frost protection and can be hard to grow. A trellis supports it in pots, patios, or garden screens. Growers also raise it for cut flowers.

Aphids and bulb mites can cause trouble. Anthracnose, cucumber mosaic virus, and root rot may also occur. Some regions class this plant as a noxious weed. It is invasive in the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Singapore. No edible uses are known; all parts are highly poisonous. Tubers pose a grave risk, and eating them can kill. The plant can also irritate skin. It poisons people, dogs, cats, horses, and livestock. Growers harvest colchicine for medicine and plant breeding. These uses do not make it safe for home remedies.