Mozambique Lily

Mozambique Lily

Several species of tuberous perennials were once included in this genus, now reduced to variants of a single very variable species, occurring in tropical Africa and Asia, usually in savanna bush or teak forest, often near rivers. Gloriosa superba was introduced into cultivation in 1690 and soon became a favorite exotic ornamental. Gloriosa superba is a very poisonous plant; it contains alkaloids, including colchicine, as in Colchicum species (See, meadow saffron), which affect cell division. It is grown in India as a commercial source of this compound, that is used in genetic engineering.

Climbing perennial with brittle, finger-shaped tubers and sparsley branched stems, bearing glossy, ovate-lanceolate leaves, 5-8cm (2-3in) long, which end in tendril. Flowers may be yellow, orage, red, or bicolored, with narrow, recurved, wavy-margined petals, to 10cm (4in) long, amnd long protruding stamens.

Common Name:	Mozambique Lily
Other Names:	Glory Lily, Malabar Glory Lily
Botanical Name:	Gloriosa superba
Genus:	Gloriosa
Family:	Colchicaceae
Native Location:	Africa, India
Cultivation:	Rich, well-drained soil in sun. Overwatering causes discolored foliage and premature leaf fall. Plants in pots should be left dry, cool, and undisturbed in winter, and repotted in early spring.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring at 21-24°C (70-75°F); by offsets in early spring, started into growth at 16-19°C (61-66°F).
Harvest:	Tubers are lifted in autumn and dried for use in pastes and powders.
Height:	2.5m (8ft)
Width:	30cm (12in)
Warning:	All parts, especially tubers, are extremely toxic if eaten. Repeated handling of tubers causes skin irritation.
Variations:	Citrina Has yellow flowers, flushed or striped purple-red. Rothschildiana Has bright red flowers, yellow at the base and margins.
Hardiness:	Z11
Parts Used:	Tubers
Properties:	A bitter, stimulant type herb, with anti-bacterial effects.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally, use of fresh tuber causes abortion; it has been used to speed labor, soaked in milk to reduce toxicity. Mainly externally for lice, scabies, and leprosy. Excess causes numbness, nausea, spasms, and unconsciousness. For use by qualified practitioners only.
Economic Uses:	Used in countries of origin for making arrow poison, and to poison vermin. A source of colchicine for the pharmaceutical and horticultural industries.
Bibliography:	The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2005. Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 225-226.