Gladiolus sericeovillosus subsp. sericeovillosus

This flowering spike of Gladiolus sericeovillosus subsp. sericeovillosus is presented at a slightly different angle to those in the other photos of the plant shown in this Album. The green, soft-textured bracts below the arched corollas are displayed clearly.

Plant hairs serve to discourage hungry insects from eating (too much). They also extend leaf surfaces for cooling the plant down and provide coverings for reducing evaporation; water conservation often contributing to plant wellbeing. 

The specific name sericeovillosus refers to both the corolla colouring and the shaggy surfaces of the bracts.

This species shows little flare in its tepal tips, compared to some gladioli (Wikipedia).