Gladiolus orchidiflorus arching dorsal tepal

The flamboyantly arching dorsal tepal of a Gladiolus orchidiflorus flower, like a swan-neck over the huddling stamens and style branches, has a dark patch on its widened top part in the photo. This tepal is the dominant floral part, the hallmark of the species that contributes to ease in identification. Veins are clearer to see on the upper tepals. 

The lower three droopy tepals are the most colourful, the broad yellow bands purple on the apical end and embellished with arrowheads pointing to the base.

Bees visit these flowers avidly (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).