Gloriosa superba also known as climbing lily, is a semi-woody perennial climbing herb. It produces bright crimson and yellow flowers. The flowers have finger-like petals and lance-shaped leaves tipped with tendrils.
G. superba is native to tropical and southern Africa and temperate and tropical Asia. It was introduced to Australia and the United States as a cultivated ornamental.
Climbing Lily Toxic components
All parts of
G. superba are toxic to birds if ingested. It contains toxic alkaloids colchicine and gloriosine. Initial symptoms develop within two to six hours after ingestion. In addition to colchicine and gloriosine,
G. superba also contains other compounds such as 3-desmethyl colchicine,beta-lumicolchicine, N-Formyldesacetyl-colchicine, 2-desmethyl colchicine, chelidonic acid and salicylic acid.
