Gladiolus venustus burden of achievement

The ornate Gladiolus venustus flower spike in picture zigzags in angular fashion or curves in racetrack-like chicanes between flowers.

The sagging stem is bowed by the ambitious flower burden of this vigorous plant living near Vanrhynsdorp. The usual five to eight flowers of the main spike has been exceeded, while more flowers are present on the side-branches. Several flowers are open simultaneously, testing the strength of the stem. G. venustus stems are usually angled, although not this ostentatiously.

Colour differences in picture reflect flower age (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning and Goldblatt, 1998; iNaturalist).