Gloriosa superba L.

COLCHICACEAE (Liliaceae)

 

Vernacular names:

Hindi               - Karihari, Languli

Kannada          - Karadi kannina gadde, Huliyuguru, Sivasakthi
                        balli

Malayalam        - Mentonni, Ventoni

Marathi            - Karianag, Nagkaria

Sanskrit           - Langali, Agnisikha

Tamil               - Kanvali poo, Kaandal, Kalappai kizhangu

Telugu             - Kalappa gadda, Potti dumpa, Adavi nabhi

 

Threat status:

Vulnerable (A 1 c,d) - KA & KL Lower Risk least concern - TN

 

Habit: Climber

 

Habitat: Sea level to semi-evergreen forest in a wide range of habitats except desert.

 

Altitude: Sea level to 1500 m

 

Distribution: Global: Africa, India, Indo-China, Malaysia and Australia. National: Occurs throughout the country going up to subtropical Himalayan region. Regional: Present in a wide range of habitats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

 

Description: A herbaceous climber. Root stock tuberous, cylindrical, 15­25 x 2.5-4 em, pointed at both ends, 'V' or 'L'-shaped, fleshy, white; roots fibrous. Branchlets hairless, cylindrical, weak. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite or in whorls, egg-shaped-Ianceolate, stalkless, about 5-15 x 2-4 em, base heart-shaped, apex produced into a coiled tendril, margin entire, hairless, papery; lateral nerves parallel. Flowers bisexual, axillary, solitary or somewhat sub-corymobose at the ends of branches, 8-10 cm across. Floral stalk 6-14 cm long with reflexled apex. Perianth lobes 6, oblong­lanceolate, about 6 x 1 cm, with crisply wavy margins, greenish at first, then yellow, passing through orange and scarlet to crimson colour. Capsules ellipsoid-oblong, 3-5 x 1-2.5 cm, splitting by 3-valves. Seeds numerous, globose, dorsally compressed, with warty projections, straw-coloured.

 

Phenology: Flowering: October to January; Fruiting: March to July

 

Notes: Colchicine is an important alkaloid extracted from the seeds, and utilized in modern medicines.

 

Medicinal uses: The tuberous roots are useful in curing inflammations, ulcers, scrofula, bleeding piles, white discharge, skin diseases, leprosy, indigestion, helminthiasis, snake bites, baldness, intermittent fever and debility. Roots are given internally as an antidote for snake poison. Considered useful in promoting labour and expulsion of the placenta. If consumed in large doses, it is highly poisonous, it causes vomiting, purging, stomachache and burning sensation. Seeds are used for relieving rheumatic pain and as a muscle relaxant.

 

Trade information: Local, regional and global. The drug traded regionally consists of transversely cut pieces of fresh or dried tubers. Tubers are priced at Rs.35 to 80/Kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). Seeds are traded regionally and globally and recorded prices of Rs.240 to 360/Kg. (Market studies, 1999­2000). Sliced rhizomes of Costus speciosus are often found as adulterants.

 

Mode of propagation: By tubers and seeds

 

Special characters: A handsome herbaceous climber, climbing by means of leaf tendrils. Tubers are distinctly plough-shaped. Flowers are very attractive with varying colours from green, orange-yellow to crimson red.