Gloriosa (plant)
== Gloriosa (plant) ==
Gloriosa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Colchicaceae. The genus is native to tropical and southern Africa and parts of Asia. The most well-known species is Gloriosa superba, commonly known as the flame lily, glory lily, or climbing lily.
Description[edit | edit source]
Gloriosa plants are perennial herbs that grow from tubers. They are characterized by their striking flowers, which have distinctive, reflexed petals that are typically red, orange, or yellow. The flowers are borne on long, climbing stems that can reach up to 3 meters in length. The leaves are lanceolate and have a tendril-like tip that helps the plant climb.
Habitat[edit | edit source]
Gloriosa species are typically found in a variety of habitats, including tropical forests, grasslands, and coastal regions. They prefer well-drained soils and can often be found growing in sandy or rocky areas.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Gloriosa plants are popular in horticulture due to their attractive flowers. They can be grown from tubers and require a warm, frost-free climate. The plants prefer a sunny position and well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or in the ground, and they benefit from a support structure to climb.
Toxicity[edit | edit source]
All parts of the Gloriosa plant are highly toxic due to the presence of colchicine, a potent alkaloid. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause severe symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Handling the plant can also cause skin irritation in some individuals.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Despite its toxicity, Gloriosa has been used in traditional medicine in some cultures. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including gout, arthritis, and parasitic infections. However, due to its high toxicity, its use is not recommended without proper medical supervision.
Species[edit | edit source]
Some of the notable species in the Gloriosa genus include:
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
Gloriosa | |
---|---|
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Colchicaceae |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD