Gladiolus ecklonii dark-speckled

These flowers of Gladiolus ecklonii have less spread in the tepal tips than sometimes seen on plants of the species. It holds the cup-shape more, with only the outer tepal lip below really curving down. The creamy green triangular patches near the base of the tepals, free of coloured spots, are found on flowers of some of these plants.

The flower was seen in January west of Underberg in the foothills of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg (www.pacificbulbsociety.org).