Gladiolus sericeovillosus subsp. sericeovillosus

The flowers of Gladiolus sericeovillosus subsp. sericeovillosus grow in two dense, opposite arrays on the flower spike. Flowers are two-lipped, but forming a nearly bell-shaped, wide tube. The inner surface of the dorsal tepal has a pinkish tint here; the other tepals are pale yellow or cream coloured.

There are tiny, faint and dark speckles on some parts of the corolla of these flowers. Tepal tips are rounded, not curving out much and not extending far beyond the point where they part, giving the corolla a compact, stubby appearance, compared to the flaring forms of some species and especially some garden cultivars.

Three long, oblong anthers with dark lines are erect within the flower mouths, as well as three pale style branches. The dorsal tepal is slightly hooded over these inner floral parts (iSpot; JSTOR; www.apps.kew.org).