These tubers are a vine that climbs by means of tendrils at the tips of their leaves. Blooming in mid-summer, these strange and exotic looking lily-like flowers are 4 to 5 inches across with wavy-edged petals that are reflexed back as if blown by a strong wind. In bud, the petals face downward, but they open up to a backward arch.

The unusual and exotic flowers of the Gloriosa Lily have been featured on a US postage stamp and are the national flower of Zimbabwe, Africa.