Gloriosa lutea - Glory Lily

Originally from East Africa and Southeast Asia, Gloriosa lutea, also known as glory lily, is an astonishing tuberous climbing plant. It lives up to its other name, Malabar Glory, evoking the tropical splendours of this ancient province. It produces strange arachnid-like large bright yellow flowers with undulating petals. This exotic flowering stands out from its lush foliage, composed of long, thick, dark green and shiny leaves, further emphasising its uniqueness. It requires a sunny exposure, and fertile and well-drained soil. It is essential to store it dry in winter.

Gloriosa lutea belongs to the Colchicaceae family. The flower is the emblem of Mozambique, which highlights its African origins, although it is also found in its natural state growing in the tropical forests of South India. This herbaceous vine develops from a fleshy and elongated tuber, light in colour under a brown tunic. At one end, a round and pink bud develops, which will give rise to a flexible voluble stem. It can reach a height of 1.5m (5ft) if conditions are right. It completes its growth in one season. The flowers appear in early summer on 2-year-old bulbs and older, in the form of large blooms (8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long) resembling lilies with petals completely turned towards the sky. They are slender with undulated edges. The stamens and the base of the petals are bright green, and the colour of the corolla and anthers is imperial yellow. The flowers are solitary, borne on long peduncles arising from the axils of the leaves. The foliage consists of large lanceolate dark green shiny leaves, with a tapered end that transforms into tendrils allowing the plant to cling.

Gloriosa lutea can be easily grown in pots, in a cold greenhouse or in a conservatory. It does not appreciate the heated interiors of homes. It can also be grown in flower beds, in a sunny exposure, in moist but well-drained soil, provided the tubers are kept dry during winter. In this use, it can be associated with climbing plants, for example. The flowers have a good longevity and can be used to create beautiful bouquets.