Gladiolus sufflavus (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning

Plants 450-700 mm high, with cataphylls puberulous to villous above ground. Corm 18-25 mm diam.; tunics leathery, becoming ± fibrous, often accumulating in collar around base of stem. Stem erect, flexed outward above sheathing part of two upper leaves, unbranched. Leaves (3)4, lower 2 basal, sheathing only near base, reaching to between base and middle of spike, ± terete with 4 longitudinal grooves or cross-shaped in section, 2-3 mm diam., smooth on both sheath and blade, remaining leaves villous on sheaths, second leaf sheathing stem for most of its length, upper 2 leaves cauline and largely sheathing. Spike inclined, lightly flexuose, 4-to 6-flowered; bracts olive-green, outer 20-30 mm long, inner nearly as long. Flowers bell-shaped, pale yellow to greenish, lower tepals with obscure greenish, dark yellow or brown markings, with sweet lily-like fragrance; perianth tube obliquely funnel-shaped, geniculate, 14-15 mm long, lower half erect and cylindric, upper half bent at right angles and flaring outward; tepals with upper broadly ovate, lower spathulate, dorsal largest, arched to hooded over stamens, 18-20 x 13-16 mm, upper laterals slightly smaller, curving outward near margins, lower laterals united with upper laterals for 4-5 mm, forming a shallow spoon, ± 11 x 8 mm, not differentiated into claws below, curving upward below and deflexed apically. Filaments 13-14 mm long, exserted from tube for 7-8 mm but included in flower; anthers 6-7 mm long, purple; pollen cream-coloured. Style arched over stamens, dividing just below anther apices, branches ± 3.5 mm long. Capsules ovoid-ellipsoid, 17-21 mm long. Seeds ovate, 5-6 x 4 mm, broadly and evenly winged.