Gloriosa superba
Crown of glory ( Gloriosa superba )
The crown of glory ( Gloriosa superba ) is a plant from the family of crocus plants ( Colchicaceae ). This climbing plant has a wide distribution in the seasonally dry areas of Paläotropis.
Description
The crown of glory is a twining, perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 1.5 to 2 meters. The crown of glory survives the dry season than Geophyt using thickened rhizomes as underground storage organs that are used in horticulture also to multiply. The stem arises from the rhizome. The stems may be branched in the upper part.
The glossy green, to 15 cm long leaves running at the end of a tendril-like appendage, climb to the plants. If there is no suitable support near the main axis remains prostrate.
Single in the leaf axils are 10 to 20 centimeters long flower stalks on which hang the flowers. The hermaphrodite, largely radial symmetry flower has a diameter of 10 to 20 centimeters. The six identically shaped bracts are variable from yellow to red in color and are narrow - lanceolate, pointed at the ends and curled at the edges. After the opening of the bud, the bloom bend backward. There are six stamens present, the anthers are on long stamens and laterally projecting downward from the flower. The stylus protrudes a short way down from the flower and then bends laterally.
In the oblong to obovate capsule numerous fruit, dark colored seeds are embedded in their fleshy interior.
Use
The crown of glory is used as an ornamental plant in tropical and sub-tropical parks and gardens and cultivated as a container plant or as a cut flower.
It contains colchicine, the same toxin as the autumn crocus, and is therefore highly poisonous. Gloriosa is grown for commercial production of colchicine.
Distribution and threat
Gloriosa superba is widely used in Southeast Asia, Malaysia's, southern and tropical Africa. It comes naturally in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern Yunnan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Madagascar. In many areas of the tropics and subtropics, it is a neophyte. It is in the Red List of South African plant species = as " least concern " or "not at risk " rating.