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Gloriosa superba at Mabvuku, Harare, Zimbabwe

Flame lily

Gloriosa superba, family Colchicaceae

A striking red and yellow climbing flower, national emblem of Zimbabwe and Tamil Nadu

Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flame lily is a climbing perennial with vivid red and yellow flowers and curling petals. Native to much of Africa and parts of Asia, it grows wild in grasslands and forests, and is cultivated for its ornamental blooms and traditional medicinal uses. The plant is highly toxic but valued for its cultural and pharmaceutical roles.

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  • National flower of Zimbabwe and state flower of Tamil Nadu, India
  • Flowers display striking red and yellow curled petals
  • All parts of the plant are highly poisonous
  • Used in traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals
  • Grows wild in grasslands and forests across Africa and Asia

What does Flame lily look like?

Flame lily is a perennial vine that climbs using slender green tendrils at the tips of its long, narrow leaves. Its flowers are large and dramatic, with six wavy petals that curve sharply backward, shifting from yellow at the base to deep red at the tips. The blooms can reach up to 12 cm long and stand out for their vivid, fiery colours. The plant produces fleshy capsules filled with red seeds, and nearly every part contains potent toxins.

Where does Flame lily come from?

This species is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as tropical regions of Asia and southern China. It thrives in grasslands, forest edges, and disturbed sites, often at moderate elevations. Flame lily has spread to other continents, sometimes becoming invasive in places like Australia and Pacific islands. Its name and cultural importance are especially strong in Zimbabwe and Tamil Nadu, where it is a symbol of local identity.

When and how Flame lily blooms

Flame lily grows from a thick, underground rhizome and can be started from seed or by dividing the tuber. Plants flower during the rainy season, with buds taking about two weeks to open. The vine can reach several metres in length, using its leaf-tip tendrils to climb. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Harvesting is often done by hand, collecting both seeds and tubers for various uses.

Gloriosa superba , developing capsule; farm Omkeer, Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo, South Africa
Gloriosa superba , developing capsule; farm Omkeer, Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo, South Africa. Photo: SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In the dunes close to Xai-Xai, southern Mozambique.
In the dunes close to Xai-Xai, southern Mozambique.. Photo: Ton Rulkens, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Glory lily-tuberous tall vaining herb,flowers yellow to changing to orange red.
Glory lily-tuberous tall vaining herb,flowers yellow to changing to orange red.. Photo: Yercaud-elango, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Flame lily is used

People grow flame lily mainly for its showy flowers in gardens and as a cut flower. In traditional medicine, especially in Africa and South Asia, different parts are used for a wide range of remedies, though the plant is highly poisonous. Its chemical colchicine is important in pharmaceuticals and research. Flame lily is also a national and state symbol, featured in emblems and cultural events.

Kinds of Flame lily

Garden varieties include dwarf forms and plants with broader petals or different flower colours, such as white, orange, or plum. Wild populations show a range of colours from yellow and red to maroon and purple-brown. In Tamil Nadu, the flower is known as Karthigai Poo, and in Zimbabwe, it is celebrated as a national emblem.

What Flame lily means

Flame lily holds special status as the national flower of Zimbabwe and the state flower of Tamil Nadu, India. It is linked to local traditions, medicine, and even political symbolism, such as its adoption by Tamil Eelam. The flower appears in art, jewelry, and ceremonies, and is associated with the Tamil festival Maaveerar Naal. Despite its beauty, its toxicity is widely recognized.

Questions people ask about Flame lily

Where does the flame lily come from?

Flame lily is native to most of sub-Saharan Africa, tropical regions of Asia, and south-central China. It grows wild in grasslands, forests, and disturbed areas, and has been introduced to other continents.

What does the flame lily look like?

The plant is a climbing vine with long, narrow leaves ending in tendrils. Its large flowers have six wavy petals that curl backward, showing a blend of yellow, orange, and red, sometimes maroon or purple.

Is the flame lily poisonous?

Yes, all parts of the flame lily are highly toxic, especially the seeds and tubers. Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal to humans and animals.

How is the flame lily used?

It is grown for its ornamental flowers and is important in traditional medicine, though with great caution due to its toxicity. The plant is also a source of colchicine, used in pharmaceuticals.

What does the flame lily symbolize?

Flame lily is a national symbol of Zimbabwe and the state flower of Tamil Nadu, India. It represents local identity and is associated with cultural events and festivals.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Gloriosa superba", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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