Marsh Gladiolus

• Plant Type: Perennial herb.
• Common Names: Marsh Gladiolus, Sword Lily
• Color: Purple, red
• Flower Dimensions: The spike is 12-18 inches.
• Flowering Season: Spring (May to July).

Gladiolus palustris is a perennial herb of the Iridaceae family and is native to Central and NW Europe. This species can grow to a height of 12-24 inches.

• The stems of the Marsh Gladiolus are erect, glabrous, and unbranched.
• The leaves of the Gladiolus palustris are simple and shaped like a sword. The leaves have parallel venation. The leaf measurement is 1.6-3.5 inches in length.
• The Marsh Gladiolus plants have 3-8 beautiful curving flowers in a spike (1-sided).
• The flowers of the Marsh Gladiolus are hermaphroditesWhat is hermaphrodites?Having both male and female reproductive organs. and are mostly pollinated by bumblebees.

Where can Marsh Gladiolus be mostly spotted?

Europe

• The genus Gladiolus^[1] is a Latin word that means “a sword“. The specific name palustrisis a Latin word that means “growing in marshes, ” the plant’s environment.
• The Gladioli are also called xiphium. This is from the Greek word xiphios, which means “sword“.
• The Marsh Gladiolus does not have a true bulb like other perennials. The bulb of the Gladiolus is called a corm. The Marsh Gladiolus flowers^[2] are edible. However, other parts are toxic. The most poisonous part of the plant is the bulb.
• Gladiolus flowers symbolize a strength of character, remembrance, faithfulness, and moral integrity.
• The scientists identified the first polymorphic microsatellite markers in G. palustris. This information is important in knowing the species’ genetic diversity since the G. palustris species is critically endangered.