Gladiolus longicollis subsp. platypetalus flower

The broad petals of Gladiolus longicollis subsp. platypetalus flowers have a very striking shape. They often curve down, almost like something out of the animal kingdom bearing horns. The subspecific name, platypetalus, is derived from the Greek words platus meaning broad and petalon meaning a thin plate, referring to these broad petals.

In the northern parts of the distribution of G. longicollis the flower tubes tend to be longer, the subspecies found here called subsp. platypetalus. The pollinators of these flowers have coevolved, nocturnal hawkmoths equipped with longer tongues to reach the nectar in the longer tubes. The perianth tubes of the subspecies in the south are shorter. They are subsp. longicollis, pollinated by nocturnal hawkmoths with shorter tongues or proboscides.

Flower colour also differs, albeit slightly. This flower has a slight purplish tinge on its curved outer tepals, absent from some flowers. The flowers are about 4 cm in dimeter (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; iSpot).