Kalappaikizhangu (Gloriosa superba)

Kalappai kizhangu, kalihari in Hindi, is the glory lily, a climbing lily with flame-red and yellow, wavy, swept-back petals. It is the state flower of Tamil Nadu and the national flower of Zimbabwe. Farmers around Dindigul and Tiruppur grow it for its seeds, which pharmaceutical companies use as a source of colchicine. Every part of the plant is highly poisonous, and its tubers have been fatally mistaken for yams.

Botanical name: Gloriosa superba L.
Family: Colchicaceae
Tamil: Kalappaikizhangu
Hindi: Kalihari
Sanskrit: Lāṅgalī
Parts used: None for home use
Habit: Climbing glory lily; every part is poisonous
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Kalappaikizhangu

It is a slender climbing herb that grows each rainy season from a V- or L-shaped underground tuber.

The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, ending in a curling tendril tip that grips other plants.

The flowers have six wavy-edged petals swept sharply back, red at the tips and yellow at the base, with long spreading stamens.

The fruit is an oblong capsule with many round, red-orange seeds.

The tubers look like small yams or sweet potato fingers.

Traditional use of Kalappaikizhangu

Farming

Tamil Nadu farmers grow it on trellises for seeds sold to colchicine manufacturers.

Tamil Nadu farm practice

Folk use

The tuber appears in folk practice as an external paste, a dangerous use given its toxicity.

Indian folk practice

Modern notes on Kalappaikizhangu

The plant contains colchicine and related alkaloids, which block cell division.

Colchicine is a prescription drug for gout and some inflammatory conditions, given in carefully measured doses.

Eating the tuber causes vomiting, diarrhoea, organ failure and death, often days after ingestion.

Poisoning cases in India and Sri Lanka include accidental eating and deliberate self-harm.

Kalappaikizhangu safety

Never eat any part of this plant, and do not grow it where children play. Anyone who has eaten a tuber or seed needs hospital care at once, even if they feel well at first.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows wild in tropical Africa and from India to South-east Asia.

Butterflies and sunbirds visit the flowers.

Wild tubers are dug for trade, reducing natural populations.

Related plants

Questions about Kalappaikizhangu

Is glory lily poisonous?

Yes. Every part is highly toxic.

Why is Kalappaikizhangu farmed?

Its seeds are a source of colchicine.

Is Kalappaikizhangu Tamil Nadu’s state flower?

Yes.

Can the tuber be mistaken for a yam?

Yes, and that has caused fatal poisonings.

What should I do if someone eats Kalappaikizhangu?

Go to a hospital immediately.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.