Gladiolus woodii inner tepal lobes

The pair of small, lower lateral Gladiolus woodii tepals, the two dangling, yellow ones do not appear as if they contribute to the corolla as the rest of the tepals, more like nectar guides here.

The hood is dominant, though delivering scant shelter to the male and female floral components in its shade. Pollinator access to the flower in its prime is a bigger issue than floral longevity.

The flowers are sometimes lightly fragrant, otherwise unscented, depending on flower colour (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Pooley, 1998; Trauseld, 1969; iNaturalist).