Gloriosa Lily
Facts about the Gloriosa Lily
Although poisonous, there are many reasons to consider introducing the gloriosa lily into your landscape. Its almost alien appearance is both exotic and beautiful, and its vining habit has it growing in appreciation among gardeners.
In the gardening world, there are lilies and then there are true lilies. While they all carry the name of “lily” in their title, not all are members of the family Lillium. There are many differing opinions as to whether or not the Gloriosa is a true lily; some say that it is definitively not a true lily, others say it is a relative of a true lily because of a similar appearance while others declare that the Gloriosa is indeed a true lily. Breaking away from opinion, since Gloriosa is a member of the family Colchicaceaea, this fact alone separates the plant from the lily family. Nonetheless, it does bear a close resemblance to certain members of the Lily family, such as the Turk’s cap.
The most striking feature of the Gloriosa lily is its unusual appearance. The flowers are unlike any other; thin, reflexed petals that flaunt wavy edges in glossy brilliance. Arching back as though being blown in the wind, the flowers have been the focus of reproductions on United States postal stamps and have been named as the national flower of Zimbabwe, Africa. The nickname, “Flame Lily” aptly describes the blossom’s petals, which are prominently crimson red, bordered with bright yellow much as a flickering flame would be. Green stamens emerge from the yellow and green center of the blossom to spread outwards. The 5 inch blooms appear in the middle of the summer season from long green pods that grow between leaves and the stems of the plant.
Even when not in bloom, the Gloriosa will still command center stage in a landscape with its lovely foliage. The satiny green leaves are thin and long, with the tips ending in tendrils that reach out and wrap around any support nearby to help the plant to climb up to heights of 8 feet and more. This habit can be deemed invasive in some areas, as the Gloriosa will not distinguish between other plants and a fence in its zeal to climb. The result can be that other plants in the garden can become strangled and choked out from the strong grip of the tendrils. Providing a trellis or fence for the Gloriosa lily to grow upon, as well as keeping a close watch on any nearby plants will help to avoid this from happening.
Gloriosa grows from a tuber, but can also be propagated by seed although it is a more difficult process. The easiest method of increasing the amount of Gloriosa in the garden is through the division of the tubers. They do best in sunny conditions outdoors and are semi-hardy, tolerating evening temperatures down to 50 degrees. The plant dies away after its bloom period, which is the best time to divide the tubers. They can be cleaned and stored indoors in a dark, cool location until the following spring. The lilies can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. Placing the plant in bright light with regular watering will enable the plant to grow to its fullest potential and produce abundant blooms.
It is important to note that the Gloriosa is a toxic plant, with every part of the plant containing the poison colchicine. The roots have the highest concentration of the toxin; a small amount can be fatal to an adult. It is not recommended as a houseplant in homes with small children or pets that may chew on the plant.
Despite its toxicity, the Gloriosa lily is a highly unusual and beautiful plant when grown safely. It will provide an exotic and tropical focal accent in any garden or landscape.