The Zimbabwean Flame Lily

By Dawn A Denton

The Zimbabwean Flame Lily is part of a continent of diverse climates and landscapes. It is one of largest exporter of cut flowers in the world. Sadly, not all countries in Africa have a national flower. Those that do, include:

Egypt (Lotus), Ethiopia (Calla Lily), Kenya (unofficially -Tropical Orchid), Lesotho (Aloe Vera), Liberia (Pepper), Libya (Pomegranate Blossom), Madagascar (Poinciana), South Africa (King Protea), Tunisia (Jasmine), Zambia (Bougainvillea) and the Zimbabwean Flame Lily is sadly threatened.

The Flame Lily is a symbol of purity and beauty around the world. It gained its status as the national flower of Rhodesia. It remained so when the country gained independence in 1980 and became Zimbabwe. In 1947 the current queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth visited Zimbabwe as a princess. The people of Rhodesia gave her a diamond brooch in the shape of a Flame Lily.

The Flower

This striking lily is is officially called:

• The Gloriosa Superba
• ‘Amakukhulume’ in Ndebele
• ‘Kajongwe’ in Shona, which means ‘cockerel’.

Beautiful in a vase, it is even more glamorous in its natural setting. It can climb up to eight feet using tendrils and the flower can reach five inches across. The contrast of the bright red and yellow petals on rocky outcrops in semi-shaded areas, such as forests, makes it a target for poachers.

In Zimbabwe

Although the Flame Lily is grown in tropical regions of Asia and Australia, it is protected under the Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Act. The flower is becoming scarce as the price for a bunch has rocketed to US$8. When poachers pick the Flame Lily, they are not only breaking the law. They are also damaging the plant which will prevent it from growing again. It is thus now a crime to pick, damage, possess or exchange the lily unless within the limits of a permit. Offenders face a large fine and a maximum sentence of six months in prison if caught. But for those who live on the poverty line in Zimbabwe, trade in this flower can make a huge financial difference to a family. It is possible to make up to US$80 in a day during the wet flowering season.

The rose, daisy, sunflower, lilac, tulip, orchid, carnation, daffodil, violet and the lily are the most popular flowers in the world. And Zimbabwe is working hard to save its national Flame Lily from extinction.

Biltong, the popular Southern African snack, features in this article by Dawn Denton.