Gladiolus crassifolius, a dark flowering form

These Gladiolus crassifolius flower colours occur in some parts of the South African distribution of the species. The tepals are sometimes deep red while quite pale in other parts and without any blue-purple colouring. Colour variations of the species may favour pink versus purple to orange-red or cream.

Lower tepals tend to show the darker colour bands. Dark spots may be scattered in the lighter tepal zones, grading into the deeper colours. The tepal tips in picture are short and rounded (Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998).