Rare Monsoon Flower in Goa Blooms for Days Then Vanishes When the Rains Arrive

By Raajwrita Dutta 20 June 2025

Scadoxus multiflorus, known as the Football Lily, is a vibrant and spherical flower seen in India just before the monsoon rains arrive.

Originally from tropical Africa, it is commonly seen in parts of India, notably in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Western Ghats.

It flowers in late May or June. The bloom signals seasonal change, often appearing just days before the first monsoon showers.

The bloom forms a globe of 100–200 small scarlet-red flowers, each with yellow stamens, creating a striking and spiky football shape.

The flower head can reach 20–25 cm in diameter, supported by a thick and upright stalk. It appears suddenly from an underground bulb.

Leaves follow the bloom, forming a lush rosette. This unusual order, which is flower first and then foliage, is a trait of many bulbous plants.

The bulb detects increased soil moisture and temperature, prompting flowering as an adaptive strategy to beat intense rainfall.

The bright colours and early bloom attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, leading to reproduction before monsoon downpours.

All parts of the plant, particularly the bulb, are toxic if ingested. It contains alkaloids, so handle with care and keep out of reach.

Celebrated in home gardens and wild landscapes alike, the Football Lily is a momentary but vivid reminder of the monsoon’s beauty and power.