This beautiful creeper with it’s unusually
striking flowers used to be a common plant covering many fences around Singapore
though these days even garden centers do not sell them. The cut flowers of the hybrid versions of the
Gloriosa sp, are imported from Holland
for use in the cut flower trade.
Native to tropical Asia and mostly Africa, these tuberous climbers have many medicinal
properties. The Gloriosa superba
is grown commercially for it’s chemical compound. These plants have been used all along in
Africa to treat many ailments such as snake bites, leprosy, piles, ulcers and
the tubers are said to be used as a tonic.
The sap is said to be used by tribal people to treat pimples and skin
eruptions.
Two of the popular species from the genus Gloriosa
are Gloriosa rothschildiana which can grow to more than 4ft. The flowers have swept back/reflexed petals
with a yellow base with a frilly striking red top.
The G. superba on the other
hand also has yellow base but the petals change from green to orange and
finally to a crimson red color.
The G.rothschildiana is the
national flower of Zimbabwe.
Thrives in partial sunlight. Direct scorching sunlight is best avoided.
Grows well in rich well drained soil.
Needs high humidity and therefore use a gentle sprinkler to mist leaves often.
Avoid waterlogged soil which can cause the tubers to rot.
Slow release fertilizer for flowering plants or 15N-9P-15K is suitable.
Propagation by means of tubers
As a climber, this plant would require a good support such as fences, trellises etc.
The Gloriosa is also used as a companion plant in the garden to deter garden pests.
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Let’s hope that
this beautiful creeper will make a colorful return to our landscapes.
