Distribution Map

Gloriosa superba

                   
       
simiselo
(Gloriosa superba var. superba)

Colchicaceae   

As at April 2024, 9 herbarium specimens, 7 photo records, 4 visual observations

South African Red List status: LC
Global Distribution: Also occurs outside southern Africa
Found within protected areas: Mlawula
Medicinal
Other uses

Description (Compton's Flora of Swaziland*):
Gloriosa superba - Rootstock tuberous, branching. Stems slender, irregular. Leaves broad, tips elongated and clasping supports, plant thus able to climb to height of few meters. Flowers axillary, single on long stiff horizontal stalks, facing downwards. Perianth segments, stamens and style spreading horizontally or somewhat reflexed. Perianth segments yellow or with reddish flush, all about equal, 5 cm or more long x 1,2 cm or more wide, tapering to long somewhat hooked point, edges wavy. Anthers attached at middle. Style sharply bent at top of ovary. Fruit dry; seeds globose with bright red fleshy coat.

* Where species names have changed, these have been matched according to herbarium specimens quoted in this publication.

Notes:
Global distribution information: southern Africa includes southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe.
Restricted distribution has been based on an estimated extent of occurence of less than 100 000 km2 and/or an estimated area of occupancy of 100 km2, based on geo-referenced GBIF and iNaturalist data.