Gloriosa superba
Climbing lily, Tiger’s claws, flame lily
Sprawling climber with very showy flowers. Leaves ovate/long lanceolate (120 x 25mm) with tendril like extensions at tips used for climbing. Flowers are linear (up to 75mm long) and are yellow at first, turning red later, held horizontally or flexed back over the stalk. Fruit is a capsule, splitting to reveal seeds. Tuberous root.
Tropical but cultivated in greenhouses. Originally from Uganda.
Colchicine and the related gloriosine. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the tubers. Toxic levels are the highest at the beginning of the growth season and decline after that. Chemical breakdown occurs when the plant dies.
All, including people.
May include gastrointestinal irritation, severe and bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, Vaginal bleeding, numbness of mouth, severe alopecia, dehydration, haemoglobinuria, nervous excitement, unconsciousness, weakness, swelling of limbs. Hair loss is pathognomonic in people.
May include gastrointestinal irritation, severe alopecia, dehydration, haemoglobinuria, and swelling of limbs.
History of exposure and clinical signs.
Colchicum autumnale poisoning
Fluids, monitoring of renal function and blood pressure, treatment for diarrhoea.
Death can occur, otherwise recovery is slow.
Angunawela, R.M., Fernando, H.A. (1971). Acute ascending polyneuropathy and dermatitis following poisoning by tubers of Gloriosa superba. Ceylon Med. J., 16:233-235
Connor, HE, The Poisonous plants in New Zealand, 2nd ed.,1977, Government Publications Ltd., Wellington
Gooneratne, B.W. (1966). Massive generalized alopecia after poisoning by Gloriosa superba. Br.Med. J., 1:1023-1024.
Lampe, K.F., McCann, M.A. (1985). AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA.
Parton K, Bruere A.N. and Chambers J.P. Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, 3rd ed. 2006. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication No. 249
