Seasonal Wild Flowers

Eastern Gladiolus

Gladiolus communis

Whistling Jacks - a separate entry, also in May

Iridaceae

May to August

It is found mainly in the Southwest and is very thinly

scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Eastern Gladiolus

It is found at the edge of fields, roadsides and on

rough ground.The pictures here are from rough

grassland by Chesil Beach, Dorset.

It is a neophte, which was introduced in the1590s,

and known in the wild since the 1860s.

It only becomes naturalised where there is little frost.

Eastern Gladiolus is an attractive, cormous perennial,

growing up to 80cm.

Flowers are showy and in a spike of up to 20 blooms.

Flowers are up to 7cm across with 6 bright purple petals.

Leaves are typically iris-like.

Previous page: Early Marsh-orchid
Next page: Elder

Eastern Gladiolus, Dorset

Flower spike

6-petalled flower

3 stamens and 3 stigmas

Iris-type leaves