The birthflower for August – and something a little more cheery than the snow to brighten up your day..
Gladiolus (from Latin, the diminutive of gladius, a sword) is a genus of perennial bulbous flowering plants in the iris family (Iridaceae).1 Sometimes called the sword lily, the most widely used English common name for these plants is simply gladiolus (plural gladioli, gladioluses or sometimes gladiolas). The genus Gladiolus contains about 260 species, of which 250 are native to sub-Saharan Africa, mostly South Africa. About 10 species are native to Eurasia. There are 160 species of Gladiolus endemic in southern Africa and 76 in tropical Africa. The species vary from very small to the spectacular giant flower spikes in commerce. Gladiolus Meaning: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break, I’m really sincere, flower of the Gladiators, admiration, tells recipients that they pierce the heart like a sword. Because the gladiolus has blade-shaped leaves, the name comes from the Latin word gladius which means sword.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Southland Gore NZ

An Admiral Spray Of Gladness!

Splendid Beauty! – Gladiolus Flower

FEATURED JAN. 2012