Gladiolus inflatus mauve flower

The angle of the photo and the shape of the Gladiolus inflatus flower accentuate the dorsal tepal here. Flowers of many geophytes in the Iridaceae family bear dorsal tepals that appear elevated to positions of importance. It is from below these tepals that styles and stamens converge loftily, protrude forward boldly, or droop conspicuously, according to the character of the particular species. The drooping option brings about the special effect here. 

This mauve version of G. inflatus applies white on tepal bases and filaments, blue on anthers, deep purple on lower tepal bands and deep yellow on the central lower tepal arrow. Balance in colour and shape is natural, because this is nature (Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).