Littonia modesta Hook.

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (1)

Littonia modesta

Photo: Darrel Plowes
Umtata, Transkei, Cape

Records: Display species records Map species using Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Gloriosa modesta (Hook.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
Common names: Butter lily (English) Climbing bell (English) Climbing lily (English)
Description: Perennial herb to 2 m, with climbing stems. Leaves in whorls of 3-4, extremely numerous, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate becoming smaller and narrower above; apex drawn out into a tendril to 2 cm long. Flowers axillary, bright yellow or orange, pointing downwards. Pedicel 2.5-5 cm, bent at apex. Sepals and petals 1.7-4 cm long, lanceolate, acute. Style with 3 recurved branches.
Notes: Included in the 'native and naturalised' flora on the strength of one collection by Bob Drummond from Harare.
Derivation of specific name: modesta: modest, unpretentious
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini
Growth form(s): Climber.
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Image last updated: Friday 14 October 2011
Literature:

Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. (1997). Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 36 - 37. (Includes a picture).

La Croix, I. (2009). Colchicaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Page 188.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 86.

Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 26 - 27. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Littonia modesta:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Littonia modesta
Flora of Zimbabwe: Littonia modesta

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Littonia modesta
African Plant Database: Littonia modesta
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Littonia modesta
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Littonia modesta
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Littonia modesta
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Littonia modesta
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Littonia modesta
JSTOR Plant Science: Littonia modesta
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Littonia modesta
Plants of the World Online: Littonia modesta
Tropicos: Littonia modesta
Wikipedia: Littonia modesta


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Cultivated Plants: Species information: Littonia modesta.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/cult/species.php?species_id=113070, retrieved 19 March 2024

Site software last modified: 26 March 2018 2:06pm (GMT +2)
Terms of use