Gladiolus trichonemifolius Ker-Gawl.
A dwarf species with 3, narrowly linear leaves and a lax flower spike bearing up to 4, fairly large, funnel-shaped, white or dull to bright yellow blooms, often tinged with purple, mauve or red on the outside, and with purple or red lines on the lower lobes, in winter and spring. [RHSD, CECB].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Our drawing was made from a specimen imported by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, in whose conservatory at Hammersmith it flowered in May last, most probably for the first time in Europe. A species not yet recorded in any work known to us; very nearly akin to Gladiolus tristis, both in leaf and bloom. Scarcely a mere variety of it?’ [BM t.1483/1812].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.168/1845]. Probably introduced by John Bidwill. [See Gladiolus cardinalis Curt.]. Bidwill referred to Gladiolus tenellus in a letter to Edward Macarthur Bowman, 26th October, 1844: ‘G. tenellus is a sort of greenish yellow not unlike tristis but not sweet scented’ [MP A4297 p.28], which is very similar to the description given by Ker Gawler.
Notes
Published Oct 28, 2009 - 03:07 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2010 - 12:04 PM
Gladiolus trichonemifolius Ker-Gawl. | BM t.1483/1812 | RBGS
| Family | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa, Cape district |
| Synonyms |
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| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Gladiolus tenellus |
| Confidence level | high |