Gloriosa Lily, Climbing Lily, Flame Lily

Gloriosa superba

Physical Characteristics

Gloriosa superba is a deciduous Perennial Climber growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The flowers are pollinated by Sugar Birds, Butterflies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Tropical and southern Africa, through the Indian Ocean and tropical Asia to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Alterative Anthelmintic Antiarthritic Antiasthmatic Antihaemorrhoidal Antiinflammatory Antiperiodic Antirheumatic Cancer Cholagogue Decongestant Eczema Emetic Leprosy Malaria Odontalgic Parasiticide Purgative Skin Tonic Although poisonous, the plant is often used in traditional medicine both in Asia and in Africa. Mainly used in external applications, it is also often injested in small quantities. In Ayurvedic medicine the tuber is used as an abortifacient, alterative, antiarthritic, antihaemorrhoid, antileprotic, antiperiodic, cholagogue, purgative and tonic[310 , 646 , 701 ]. It is considered to be useful in the treatment of ulcers, leprosy, piles, inflammations, abdominal pains, itching and thirst[646 ]. At low doses, the tuber is considered to have numerous medicinal applications in Africa. A decoction is taken to treat abdominal disorders, to induce abortions, as a tonic and as a purgative[299 ]. The tuber is sometimes used as an emetic to induce vomiting as a means of removing toxins from the body[775 ]. The tuber is also part of a preparation used to treat impotence and to act as an abortifacient[299 ]. The sap is an ingredient of a drink that induces sleep[299 ]. Applied externally, the tuber is used in the treatment of bruises, colic, chronic ulcers, haemorrhoids and cancer. It is put into poultices to relieve neuralgia, and used in topical applications to treat arthritic conditions, swellings of the joints, sprains and dislocations[299 ]. It is claimed to have antidotal properties to snakebites[299 ]. The macerated tuber is also taken against smallpox, leprosy, eczema, itch, and ringworm[299 ]. A paste made from the tuber is applied externally to facilitate parturition[299 ]. The juice of the tuber is used as ear drops to treat earache, and is also applied to the gums to treat painful teeth[299 ]. The anthelmintic properties of the tuber, fruits and leaves are widely known and they are all used to treat infections of Guinea worms, schistosomes (causing bilharzia), roundworm, tapeworm, liver fluke and filaria[299 ]. Leaf juice, unripe fruits mixed with butter, and tuber macerate are frequently used to kill head lice[299 ]. Soup made from leaf or tuber sap is given to women suffering from sterility, delayed puberty, delayed childbirth and menstrual problems[299 ]. The leaves are administered in an enema as a decongestant[299 ]. The juice of the plant is drunk as an antimalarial[299 ]. Used externally, a leaf decoction is applied as a liniment to ease coughs, general pain and dropsy of the scrotum[299 ]. Leaf juice is instilled into the nose in the treatment of fainting[299 ]. The crushed leaves are applied to the chest to treat asthma and to affected areas to treat rheumatism[299 ]. The herb is burnt and the ash applied to wounds in order to promote healing[299 ]. Sap from the leaf tip is applied externally to treat pimples and skin eruptions[295 ] The seeds are a commercial source of colchicine, an amino alkaloid which is biosynthetically derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. The tubers also contain colchicine, but the content of the seeds is reported to be up to ten times higher, hence the importance attached to good seed set when the plant is grown for colchicine production. Colchicine is used in the treatment of gout and rheumatism. At present it is the drug of choice for acute gout. It reduces the inflammatory reaction to urate crystals deposited in the joints[310 ]. Because of its highly toxic nature, colchicine should be used under supervision of a physician[310 ].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is highly toxic due to the presence of the alkaloid colchicine[293 , 310 ]. Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains are often the first signs of poisoning. The diarrhoea may become severe and haemorrhagic, and can thus lead to metabolic acidosis, dehydration, hypotension and shock. A burning sensation in the throat, stomach and skin may also be an early sign of intoxication. Severe reactions include extensive vascular damage and acute renal toxicity with oliguria and haematuria. The patients may develop convulsions, delirium, muscle weakness, neuropathy and ascending paralysis of the central nervous system. In patients who have taken an overdose of Gloriosa superba bulbs, death occurs as a result of respiratory depression and cardiovascular collapse[310 ].(All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)