Gladiolus paludosus

Quick Characteristics:

Gladiolus paludosus grows in Mpumalanga in marsh and vlei habitats that are wet much of the year. It has short-tubed pink or mauve, occasionally red unscented flowers; the lower lateral tepals have a broad diamond-shaped to semicircular band of dark mauve or purple across the midline. Flowering time is mid October to mid November. It is very similar to Gladiolus crassifolius, but grows in a different habitat, flowers earlier, and has softer textured leaves and bracts. Photo taken by Rachel Saunders January 2015, much later than the usual flowering time.