Family: Amaryllidaceae
Clivia robusta, commonly known as bush lily or swamp clivia, is an evergreen, clump-forming plant native to South Africa, where it naturally grows in forested ravines and moist, shaded areas. It features broad, dark green, strap-like leaves and produces showy clusters of tubular flowers in shades of orange to yellow, often with greenish tips. Because of its bold foliage and long-lasting blooms, swamp clivia is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes, especially in shaded areas. It is also popular as a container plant and is valued for its tolerance of low light and minimal maintenance once established.
At this time, Clivia robusta is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, and there are no widespread reports of it causing ecological harm. However, it does share traits with other ornamental plants that have escaped cultivation elsewhere, including shade tolerance, clump-forming growth, and the ability to persist in moist environments. These characteristics raise some concern about its potential to spread beyond gardens under favorable conditions. Caution is recommended when planting swamp clivia in Hawaiʻi, particularly near natural areas, and ongoing monitoring is encouraged to ensure it does not negatively impact native ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Able to grow in regions with subtropical climates
- All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals if ingested
- Shade-tolerant
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes and suckers
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
- Likely able to resprout from rhizomes after cutting or fire
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or invasiveness, but limited evidence of cultivation outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Ornamental
- Slow-growing, and reaches maturity in 4+ years
- Predominantly self-incompatible
- Requires birds for pollination
