Scientific Name
Gloriosa superba
Common Name
Glory lily

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Liliaceae
Plant Description
Slender, herbaceous vine from a thick tuberous rootstock; leaves alternate or appearing opposite, simple, strap-like with a tendril-like tip; flowers on long stalks, 6-parted, yellow or red with wavy margins.
Origin
Africa and Asia.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape in containers as herbaceous, tender vine.
Mode
Ingestion
Poisonous Part
All parts, especially tubers (thickened roots) which resemble yams.
Symptoms
Numbness of lips, tongue, and throat, thirst, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, difficult breathing, convulsions.
Toxic Principle
Alkaloids (colchicine and others) and resins.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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