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Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

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GLORIOSA 213<br />

Fig. 98. Gloriosa superba, from near Aleta Wendo, Sidamo floristic region.<br />

Description<br />

Habitat <strong>and</strong><br />

distribution<br />

The species is distinguished from the next species<br />

by its climbing habit, wider leaf­blade (1.3–6 cm) <strong>and</strong><br />

deeply divided stigma.<br />

It is also famous in horticultural circles with its various<br />

forms <strong>and</strong> colours <strong>and</strong> commonly known by the common<br />

English names: Glory lily, Flame lily <strong>and</strong> Climbing lily.<br />

A variable climbing herb up to 3 m high. Leaves along the stem<br />

sessile, opposite, subopposite or whorled or alternate; leaf­blade<br />

elliptic, lanceolate to ovate, 7.5–16 × 1.3–6 cm, glabrous, coiled<br />

at the apex with tendrils. Flowers solitary at the axils <strong>of</strong> leaves;<br />

pedicels 4.5–16.5 cm long, cernuous (bending) at the tip. Perianth<br />

segments broadly elliptic to obovate, 3.5–8 × 1–3 cm, acute at the<br />

apex, narrowing to the base, entire to crisped at the margin; variable<br />

in colour, bright-red, orange or yellow. Stamens with filaments 2.2–<br />

3 cm long; anthers linear, 0.8–1.5 cm long. Ovary cylindrical­ovoid,<br />

0.8–1.5 cm long; style 2.5–3.8 cm long including 3 stigma branches,<br />

0.4–1.2 cm long. Capsule 4–5 cm long.<br />

This species grows in Acacia-Commi phora <strong>and</strong> Combretum-Terminalia<br />

woodl<strong>and</strong>, in open places in forest,<br />

in thickets on road sides <strong>and</strong> ditches between 500 <strong>and</strong><br />

2000 m, <strong>and</strong> it is widespread in <strong>Ethiopia</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Eritrea</strong>. It<br />

is also common in tropical Afri ca, southern Africa <strong>and</strong><br />

Madagascar. It also occurs in tropical Asia. The main<br />

flowering period in <strong>Ethiopia</strong> is from May to August.

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