Gladiolus ecklonii part of a flower spike

The usually inclined spike of Gladiolus ecklonii flowers has erect bracts with pointed tips over every flower. Two bracts emerge from immediately below each flower. The second bract supporting a flower enfolds its corolla around the base. Some of the upper flowers in a G. ecklonii inflorescence may have bracts with two keels.

As the corollas elongate, more of their petal upper parts emerge from the grip of the green bract coverings. The lightest colour parts of these corollas are the unspotted, lower petal inside sections that face outwards, serving as nectar guides to visiting pollinators (Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; iNaturalist).