Gladiolus oppositiflorus flower spike

The Gladiolus oppositiflorus inflorescence bears its flowers in two opposite ranks, angled away from each other and alternating up the spike. In some plants the flower ranks will be diametrically opposed, separated at 180?, while on other plants the ranks may be angled apart at only 80?.

From seven to fifteen flowers are usually produced, although spikes bearing 26 may be seen.

The erect, straight stem has few short stem-leaves and may be hairy.

The bracts sheathing the ovary of each flower, here yellow-green, have acutely pointed tips. The inner, tubular bracts have two (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).