Plant · GBIF taxon 2740024
flame lily
Gloriosa superbaAlso known as Climbing Lily, Glory Lily, Tiger Claw, Fire Lily
Flame lilies climb through surrounding vegetation using leaf-tip tendrils to expose their dramatic, recurved petals of crimson and gold. Native to tropical Africa and Asia, these striking perennials sprout annually from underground tubers that store nutrients through dry seasons. Their brilliant flowers attract butterflies and sunbirds for pollination while all plant tissues contain potent chemical defenses.
ClimberToxicFlowering
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsOvercollection for pharmaceutical trade, habitat clearance
HabitatsSavannas, open woodlands, scrublands, moist forests
Life spanPerennial (tubers persist many years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColchicaceae
- SpeciesGloriosa superba
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains lethal colchicine; do not ingest any part of this plant.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains lethal levels of colchicine and related toxic alkaloids, causing severe vomiting, multi-organ failure, and death if ingested.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for reflexed yellow-and-red petals with wavy margins and leaf tips that curl into climbing tendrils.
- What to do
- Observe without picking, and wear gloves if moving tubers or stems.
Responsible observation
- Look for tendrils: Observe how the leaf tips curl into spiraling hooks that grasp nearby foliage.
- Watch for pollinators: Sunbirds and large butterflies frequently visit the prominent stamens for nectar.
Look-Alike Amada44 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.