For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Flame Lily (Gloriosa superb)

Family Liliaceae 

This is the same species as the red/orange ones found in many areas but there is a great variation in colours and flower size.

The plants are poisonous and contain colchicines and related compounds. Colchicine has anticancer properties but is too toxic for human use.