Friday, September 12, 2025

GLADIOLUS FLOWERS: VERY DISTINCTIVE BUT SHORT-LIVED

GLADIOLUS


Family Iridaceae

Tribe Gladioleae

Genus Gladiolus

Type Species: G. communis


About 180 species are known. The first species was bred in 1837, in England. Thus this genus has no geologic time record.


This very distinctive plant originated in South Africa and Mediterranean region, but some of its species are native to tropical Africa.


Gladiolus is also known as the “sword lily” because of its sword-shaped leaves. It has vibrant flowers that can be red, yellow, orange, white, pink, or light purple/blue. They are arranged vertically, on one side of a long "stem." 

 

The flowers are poisonous to humans and domestic animals. The blooms of this plant last about 2 weeks or so. It is a perennial plant, thus it "comes back" every year in warm climates-(but will be an annual in cooler, more northern areas).


Gladiolus flowers are  


Order Asparagales

Family Iridaceae

Subfamily Crocoideae

Tribe Gladioleae

Genus Gladiolus (has many synonmys)

Type Species Gladiolus communis


The four images shown below show some of the variety of the colors of Gadiolus. The plants are about 4 to five feet tall.





  

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