Gladiolus gracilis Jacq.
Fully-hardy cormous perennial with up to 4 leaves, typically as long as the stem, and a lax flower spike, to 75cm, bearing up to 5, scented, broadly funnel-shaped, pale bluish-lilac flowers in spring, the lower petals spotted and streaked with black. [RHSD, Hortus, CECB].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Said by Jacquin to vary with white flowers. Our figure was taken at Messrs. Grimwood and Wykes’s nursery at Kensington, who have been long in possession of the plant. It flowers freely about March or April, and is by no means one of the tenderer species.’ [BM t.562/1802]. Introduced to cultivation in Britain in 1800. [JD].
History at Camden Park
First recorded in an Addendum to the 1843 catalogue and listed in all subsequent editions [B.141/1843].
Notes
Gladiolus gracilis Lichtst. ex Schult. (1822) = Gladiolus scaber Spreng. & Link
Published Oct 26, 2009 - 02:49 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2010 - 12:07 PM
Family | Iridaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | South Africa, Cape district |
Synonyms | |
Common Name | Slender Corn-flag |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Gladiolus gracilis |
Confidence level | high |