Gladiolus liliaceus flower

Up to six flowers form the inflorescence of Gladiolus liliaceus, growing in an inclined spike on a cylindrical stalk.

The long-tubed, variously coloured flower is funnel-shaped, becoming from 4 cm to 5,5 cm long, its tepals spreading to a corolla diameter of 6 cm. The lower parts of the inner three tepals are slightly wider than those of the outer whorl. The tepals curve outwards, their attenuating margins wavy or crisped.

Parts of the corolla change colour when it gets dark. In this way they are camouflaged in daytime, becoming alluring to moths that pollinate them after dark.

There are two large, pale green or partly dull grey bracts below each flower. They are unequal, folding around the corolla base and the spike axis. The long and narrow bracts taper and may curve, the one sometimes taller than its flower (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Mustart, et al, 1997; iNaturalist; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).