Gladiolus variegatus

This plant was originally posted as Gladiolus debilis. The upper tepals, slightly wavy, faintly pink and covered in parallel faint pink lines is a consistent flower pattern, however, different from G. debilis. This more robust plant has larger flowers on stouter stems and three leaves only, now called G. variegatus. It used to be G. debilis var. variegatus.

Red blotches on the lower tepals, sometimes shaped like arrow-tips as on G. debilis, are variable in both species, comprising lines and/or spots.

The species distribution lies in fynbos near the coast from Agulhas to the Walker Bay area in limestone soils. The photo was taken in Fernkloof during September, suggesting a slightly larger distribution than previously reported and maybe extending to sandstone slopes. Flowering happens in early spring (Mustart, et al, 1997; iSpot).