Gladiolus

Gladiolus (plural Gladioli) belongs to a genus of around 260 bulbous plants^[1] primarily native to South Africa but found in East Africa, Northwest Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean.

The wide range of hybrids produces some of the most striking summer garden flowers. Also, they are a mainstay of the florist profession.

Gladioli has medium green, upright, fan-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers on dark stems from summer to fall.

There is a wide variety of floral colors, including green, lavender, pink, red, orange, yellow, cream, and white. Gladioli are used to prepare various bouquets of flowers, even to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary. Common names are Sword Lily, Glads, Gladiola, Rat’s Rail, and Aunt Eliza.