Latin gloriosus – glorious, referring to the flowers.

Perennial, cormous herbs. Leaves numerous, with apical tendrils along climbing, sometimes branched stems. Flowers widely-opening, radially symmetrical, stalked, stalks not articulated. Inflorescence 1- to many-flowered, axillary. Tepals 3+3, free, margins undulate. Stamens 3+3, free. Styles 3, basally fused. Fruit a capsule. Seeds arillate, red-brown.

Latin gloriosus - glorious, referring to the flowers.

Possibly 12 species from tropical Africa and Asia, sometimes reduced to a single, variable species; generally only one cultivated.

Tall tendril-leaved shoots with axillary bright red-orange flowers with wavy tepals.

Field (1972), Nordal & Bingham (1998).

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Colchicaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.