GLORIOSA SUPERBA. 



NATURAL ORDER, LILIACE.ii. 



^XE of the most charming objects in our gardens during the rains 

 is the above plant ; its variety of gav colours — bright yellow, 

 crimson, and chocolate — mingling in luxuriant profusion with 

 its shinins: sfreen leaves. 



It is a bulbous root, and is a native of most parts of India, growing 

 wild in the jungles, where it may be seen in great beauty growing over 

 the forest trees. 



During the winter the roots lie dormant, springing up again directly 

 the rains set in. 



It is necessary to give it some support, or the weight of its numerous 

 blossoms and luxuriant growth drags it to the ground. 



The leaves are lanceolate, ending in a tendril of a vivid green ; the 

 stalks are also bright green, very smooth and shining. 



I append Ferminger's description of these flowers: "Bears during the 

 rains curiously formed flowers of long, narrow, inverted, twisted petals, 

 one-half deep crimson and one-half primrose colour on first opening, but 

 afterwards becoming altogether crimson." 



The propagation of the Gloriosa is very easy, as, like manv of the 

 Liliaceae, the bulbs multiply quickl)' ; in fact, when one plant is intro- 

 duced into a garden it very soon spreads in every direction, and often 

 appears where it is not wanted. 



" A salt is prepared from the roots of this lil}', by repeated washing 

 and grinding, the white powder being bitter to the taste, but, when mixed 

 with honey, it is used medicinally." 



" This plant may be known to some by the name of 'Country or Wild 

 Aconite,' as the native practitioners sav it possesses the same properties 

 as the ' Aconitum Ferox.'" (Drury). 



The root is a virulent poison. 



There is a great enemy to the young shoots of the Gloriosa in the 

 shape of a bright green caterpillar ; so great are the ravages of these 

 creatures, and so much do they appreciate the juicy, succulent, new 

 shoots, that if not watched and taken off they will leave the poor plant a 

 bare stalk. 



I cannot find more than this one variety mentioned by any botanical 

 authorities as growing in India. 



