Cat's Claw Gloriosa superba
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- glo-ree-OH-sah soo-PER-bah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Gloriosa superba is a slender, herbaceous vine grown from a thick tuberous rootstock. The leaves alternate or appear opposite and are, simple, strap-like with a tendril-like tip. The flowers grow on long stalks and are 6-parted, yellow or red with wavy margins. They should be planted on a trellis for support but stems can be damaged if handled too much to train them.
All parts are poisonous, especially tubers (thickened roots) which resemble yams. This plant is highly toxic and may be fatal if eaten.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Rothschildiana'
- 'Superba'
- 'Rothschildiana'
- 'Rothschildiana', 'Superba'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Rothschildiana'
- 'Superba'
- 'Rothschildiana'
- 'Rothschildiana', 'Superba'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gloriosa
- Species:
- superba
- Family:
- Colchicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Africa and Tropical Asia
- Distribution:
- tropical and southern Africa and temperate and tropical Asia (from China to India)
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Bulb Storage:
- Dig and store in peat or vermiculite at 40 to 50°F.
- Edibility:
- Toxic when ingested.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The 3-parted capsules are 2-4.5 inches long. They start green and mature to brown. Each contains around 20 seeds
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Lily like flowers on long stalks, 6-parted, yellow or red with wavy margins
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are sessile with strong parallel veining, entire margins and tipped with tendrils. Leaves are generally alternate but may also be opposite or whorled. They are 5-8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Numbness of lips, tongue, and throat, thirst, fever, bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, difficult breathing, convulsions, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids (colchicine and others) and resins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
