5 Gladiolus crispulatus - Rare Indigenous South African Endemic Perennial Bulb Seeds from Africa

Gladiolus crispulatus Seeds

Uber Rare South African Endemic Flowering Perennial Bulb

Gladiolus is the largest genus in the Iridaceae family with around 255 species. They are perennial bulbous flowering plants, sometimes called ‘Sword lilies’, but usually by its generic name, Gladiolus. It has been studied by taxonomists and now includes the genera Acidanthera, Homoglossum, Anomalesia and Oenostachys. The geographic range includes Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and the Middle East. They are treasured the world over for their beautiful, showy flowers which grow on tall spikes. These plants are often planted in cut flower gardens or in the back along the border, as they grow 60cm to 1.8 m tall. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily grown in raised garden beds and rockeries. Most Gladioli do equally well in pots. Gladioli are the flowers associated with a fortieth wedding anniversary. Gladiolus crispulatus is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it grows on the Langeberg Mountains between Swellendam and Riversdale. Gladiolus crispulatus is a slender plant with narrow leaves that grows to 40cm in height. It blooms in summer when it produces a spike with deep pink flowers that have darker markings on the lower tepals. It is similar to Gladiolus oreocharis but has larger flowers and different leaves and to Gladiolus carneus which also has different leaves and tepal markings. It is synonymously known as Gladiolus tenuis.