Family: Colchicaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Gloriosa superba, commonly known as climbing lily, flame lily, creeping lily, or glory lily, is native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It is a striking, herbaceous vine valued for its showy, flame-like flowers with brightly colored, reflexed petals in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The plant climbs using tendril-like leaf tips and grows from underground tubers. Because of its dramatic appearance, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental in gardens and used in floral arrangements. It has also been used in traditional medicine in some parts of the world, though all parts of the plant are highly toxic.

Risks & Threats
Although Gloriosa superba is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that are cause for concern. Its ability to reproduce through tubers, rapid growth, and tolerance of a variety of environmental conditions increase the risk that it could escape cultivation and establish in the wild. If introduced into natural areas, it could spread and compete with native plants, potentially disrupting ecosystem balance. Its toxicity also poses risks to people, pets, and livestock. Because of these concerns, this species could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if it becomes established. It is recommended to avoid planting climbing lily and instead choose a low-risk or native alternative for landscaping.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in several locations (but no evidence in Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• Environmental weed in Australia
  
• Poisonous to animals and humans
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Climbing, smothering habit and forms dense stands that crowd out native vegetation (Australia)
  
• Geophyte
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
  
• Self-fertile
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, water, as a soil contaminant and intentionally by people
  
• Dispersed as dumped garden waste
  
• Able to resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Thrives in full sun (dense shade may limit spread)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control