Gladiolus carneus
D.DelarocheCorm with outer layers papery to fibrous. Stem usually unbranched, with 1 or 2 sheathing leaves. Basal leaves 2–4, linear to ensiform, 0.6–2.0 cm wide, flat, with several prominent veins. Inflorescence with flowers distichous, 3–7-flowered. Flowers funnel-shaped to bilabiate, white to pink or pale purple. Perianth tube 3–4 cm long, widened at mouth, curved; lobes spreading, apex and margins undulate, unequal; adaxial lobe hood-shaped; lateral lobes subequal to adaxial lobe; abaxial 3 lobes smaller, often with a red-purple central mark. Anthers 7–12 mm long. Style branches exceeding anthers.
GipP, OtP. Also naturalised, WA, SA, NSW. Native to the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, naturalised in Victoria, occurring on roadsides in the Port Phillip region.
Gladiolus carneus can be quite variable, and is sometimes difficult to distinguish from G. undulatus. These two species are principally distinguished by the shape of perianth lobes, those of G. undulatus are subequal, ovate to lanceolate with an acuminate apex, while the lobes of G. carneus are ovate with acute tips, the ‘upper’ lobes larger than the lower three lobes.
Spinning
