Gladiolus oreocharis Schltr.

Plants (120-)180-350(-500) mm high, with uppermost cataphylls sometimes hispid. Corm globose, 7-10 mm diam.; tunics of fine, reticulate fibres, often accumulating to form a collar around base. Stem erect or inclined, flexed outward above sheathing parts of uppermost 2 leaves. Leaves 3 to 5, lowermost 1 to 3 basal and reaching to between base and apex of spike, linear, (1-)2-6 mm wide, with (1)2 main veins and margins lightly to moderately thickened, cauline leaves largely to entirely sheathing. Spike inclined to almost horizontal, 2-to 7-flowered; bracts firm-textured, outer 13-20(-25) mm long, purple near apices, obtuse to truncate, inner shorter to slightly longer, minutely forked. Flowers pink to red-purple or violet (rarely white), lower 3 tepals with spear-shaped median dark red to purple mark with white to yellow centre, unscented; perianth tube obliquely funnel-shaped, 15-24 mm long, shortly exserted from bracts; tepals ovate, unequal, dorsal largest, inclined, 18-22 x 12-14 mm, upper laterals slightly smaller, 15-20 mm long; lower 3 tepals joined to upper laterals for ± 3-4 mm and together for 1-2 mm, free parts 14-20 mm long. Filaments 15-16 mm long, exserted 7-9 mm from tube; anthers 6-8 mm long, mauve. Style arching over stamens, dividing at or shortly beyond anther apices, branches ± 4 mm long. Capsules obovoid, 3-lobed above and retuse. Seeds unknown.