Gladiolus saundersii leaves

The seven to nine sturdy, erect leaves of Gladiolus saundersii are sword-shaped, most of them growing in a basal fan. The leaf margins are thickened, the veins prominent. The leaves are sometimes as tall as the base of the inflorescence or become tall enough to exceed it. The leaf dimensions are from 25 cm to 60 cm long and from 1,5 cm to 2,5 cm wide. 

The one or two stem-leaves sheathe the stem, here not as high as the base of the flowers. Down below there are also small, orange to brown cataphylls, the longest about 4 cm and later turning green (Pooley, et al, 2025; Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Pooley, 1998; Trauseld, 1969; iNaturalist).