Family : Colchicaceae
Latin Name :Gloriosa superba
Common Name : Flamelily, Flame Lily, Climbing Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Tiger Claw and Glory Lily
Colour: Red through to cerise with yellow edges Background
This group consists of 5 or 6 tender, tuberous-rooted, deciduous, climbing vines, which are natives of South Africa and India. These members of the Lily family, Liliaceae, (Commonly known as Climbing Lilies; Flame Lilies; Gloriosa Lilies; Glory Lilies) are suitable for growing on trellises, in containers indoors and outdoors and as houseplants.

They produce weak, trailing stems clothed with glossy leaves, which are tipped at the ends with tendrils to aid in climbing. These plants can reach heights up to 2.4m (8ft). Blooming in mid-summer, Flame Lilies are valued for their exotic, 10cm (4 inches) to 12.5cm (5 inches) flowers whose wavy-edged petals are reflexed back as if blown by a strong wind.

In bud, the petals face downward, but they open up to a backward arch. If the flowers are cut just before the petals bend back, they will last up to 8 days in an arrangement. Split the end of the main stem before putting it into the vase.

These wavy, swept-back petals are crimson red, with a yellow base and edged in bright yellow making the blossoms look like they're on fire. The green stamens are extremely prominent and spread outward, and the pistil points to the side of the nodding blooms.

Gloriosa rothschildiana is the prettiest of the Flame Lilies, reaching 0.9m (3ft) to 1.8m (6ft) in height and having whorled leaves. The wavy petals of its flowers are crimson, edged in bright yellow making the blossoms look like they're on fire. G. simplex produces orange and yellow flowers that open with a light greenish tinge. The vines reach about 0.9m (3ft) in length. G. superba var. Lutea has pure yellow flowers with slender petals.

Information Source : flamelilyflowers.co.uk