Gladiolus orchidiflorus leaves

Gladiolus orchidiflorus annually grows about four to eight sword-shaped to linear, sometimes grass-like leaves.

The blades are grey-green and narrow, up to 1 cm wide, mainly basal and half as tall as the stem. Leaf midribs and margins are slightly thickened. The blades variably curving in picture may also be straight.

There are normally also a few short cataphylls beside the leaves, not visible in picture. They are pale and membranous, the tallest becoming up to 3 cm and then green or purple (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).