Gladiolus liliaceus flower

Up to six flowers form the inflorescence of Gladiolus liliaceus, growing in an inclined spike on a cylindrical stalk.

The long-tubed flower is funnel-shaped, becoming from 4 cm to 5,5 cm long, its tepals spreading to a corolla diameter of 6 cm. The lower parts of the inner three tepals are slightly wider than those of the outer whorl. The tepals curve outwards, their attenuating margins wavy.

There is a large, pale green bract below each flower, folding around the corolla base. This long and narrow bract tapers and may curve, sometimes becoming taller than the flower (Manning, 2007; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Mustart, et al, 1997; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).