Synonyms:
|
Gladiolus aphanophyllus Baker
|
Common names:
|
|
Frequency:
|
Locally frequent |
Status:
|
Native |
Description:
|
Plants small 15-30(40) cm tall; corms 9-12 mm in diameter, tunics of fine netted fibres with weakly developed neck; foliage leaves 2, lower basal and tightly sheathing to half or three quarters stem length, upper leaf inserted below spike, leaf blades 3-5 cm long and 0.5-1 mm wide, linear with 2 narrow grooves on each surface; flowering stems unbranched; spike 2-4(7) flowered, inclined at an angle of c. 45ĚŠ or more; bracts 7-10 mm long, green or sometimes flushed purple, inner slightly shorter than outer; flowers pale blue to lilac, rarely white, lower 3 tepals each with a dark-blue to purple diamond shaped marking in the upper half or flowers uniformly purple or pale yellow to greenish with deep-yellow markings on lower3 tepals; perianth tube 7-10 mm long, curved outwards; tepals unequal; uppermost (8)10-15 x 8-11 mm, larger than others and arched over stamens, lower 3 tepals 7-12 x 4-5 mm, exceeding the upper tepals when viewed in profile; capsules 7-8 mm long, obovate-ellipsoid. |
Type location:
|
Zambia, Fwambo |
Notes:
|
Red Data list status: Widespread; not threatened |
Derivation of specific name:
|
gracillimus: from gracilis meaning thin or slender. |
Habitat:
|
In seasonally waterlogged marshes and dambos. |
Altitude range: |
|
Flowering time: | Nov - Dec |
Worldwide distribution:
|
From northern Zambia and Malawi to south west Tanzania. |
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):
|
N |
Zambian distribution (Provinces):
|
N |
Growth form(s):
|
|
Endemic status:
|
|
Red data list status:
|
|
Insects associated with this species:
|
|
Spot characters:
|
Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: |
Thursday 5 September 2019 |
Literature:
|
Goldblatt, P. (1993). Iridaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(4) Pages 83 - 85. (Includes a picture).
Goldblatt, P. (1996). Gladiolus in Tropical Africa Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. Page 164.
|