Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus

Plants 0.8-1.5 m high. Corm depressed-globose, 15-20 mm diam.; tunics membranous, decaying to softly fibrous. Stem flexed outward below base of spike, inclined above, usually with 1 or 2 branches. Leaves 7 to 9, mostly basal, ± 1/2 as long as stem, narrowly lanceolate, 14-28 mm wide, main vein moderately thickened, margins lightly thickened. Spike inclined, lightly flexuose, 6-to 10-flowered; bracts green, outer 30-50(-60) mm long, inner shorter. Flowers pink to light purple, lower 3 tepals each with dark purple spear-shaped mark in lower midline, often pale in centre, unscented; perianth tube obliquely funnel-shaped, 30-40 mm long, cylindrical lower part 24-32 mm long; tepals lanceolate, dorsal largest, extending ± horizontally over stamens, 40-55 x 28-30 mm, upper laterals spreading, 45-50 x ± 20 mm, lower 3 tepals 35-40 x 15-18 mm, lower median slightly longer than laterals. Filaments 20-30 mm long, exserted 14-18 mm from tube; anthers 9-14 mm long, purple; pollen cream-coloured. Style arching over stamens, dividing opposite upper 1/3 of anthers, branches ± 8 mm long. Capsules ovoid-ellipsoid, ± 28 mm long. Seeds ovate, 6.5-7.0 x 4-5 mm, broadly and evenly winged.