Gladiolus woodii tepal features

Tepal differences in this mauve to lilac Gladiolus woodii flower are strong, the camera came close.

The dorsal tepal may be prettiest, its delicate venation intimate, and in this flower a truncated, wavy tip shows itself at the top, unlike the rounded ones often seen. The dorsal’s close association with the pale, shiny style branches, and the dark, curving oblong anthers, both dancing here in threes, confers authority upon it. Normally only positioned physically above the rest, it might be taken as the boss tepal.

Support from behind is forthcoming in the upper pair of lateral tepals. They are paler, membranous and flimsy as accentuated by the damage visible on one limb. Curious to see, are the two tiny protrusions at the flattish tips of these lateral tepals.

The central lower tepal is whitest, its acutely pointed tip facing down. The two lateral lower tepals are creamy yellow, bisected by dark maroon-brown stripes, and bilobed.

Overall, the floral structure is somewhat cross-like, a feature repeated in many Gladiolus flowers (Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist).