Striking! …It’s the word that can be used to describe this plant in the landscape—and it seems the naming botanist agreed, as the species name (excelsa) means “lofty” or “distinguished”.
For part of the year the Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is a reedy bush with sword-like leaves, but then it sends up a single stalk that can reach up to 20 feet, with a large crown of large scarlet red flowers.
The sending up of the stalk, resulting in flowering and later seeds, spans the winter months through late summer. Due to their striking appearance and hardy nature they are popular in Australian gardens.
Not surprisingly, this plant didn’t escape the attention of the Aboriginal Australians. The root, young flower stem and red flowers have been consumed by the Aboriginal Australians: young stems are roasted and eaten, while the roots are also roasted and made into a sort of cake.
The leaves have also been traditionally used to provide a fiber for making brushes and matts.
As a flower essence, Gymea Lily is used for people who may have dominating personalities, especially with excessive pride and arrogance. It is used to help them stay ahead of their peers while also finding humility, noticing others, and allowing others to contribute.
The Gymea Lily has an Aboriginal origin story that is so sad I don’t want to recount it, but suffice to say that the Gymea Lily arose through the death of a lot of people to nurse back to health a chief who had been their only chance of survival.
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Background image by Kateryna Sosna
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.