Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel

Dalen's Gladiolus

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Dalen's Gladiolus is an introduced perennial in the Iris family (Iridaceae). It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, Arabia. In Alabama Dalen's Gladiolus can be found state wide. Dalen's Gladiolus occurs on roadsides, around old home sites, in disturbed woodlands, and on vacant lots. It is also frequently cultivated. Dalen's Gladiolus is a perennial from a corm (a short verticle underground stem surrounded by the paper bases of the leaves). Each corm produces 1-9 lanceolate leaves up to two feet in length. The leaves have entire margins and raised and thickened veins. Flowers are produced in a secund spike (the flowers are all on one side) of 12-25 flowers. The six tepals form a flaring tube. The flowers are orange or red with yellow markings. The upper tepal is larger than the others and arches over the stamens, forming a hood. The fruit is a capsule with many papery-winged seed. Dalen's Gladiolus is one of the parents of many of the larger flowered Garden Gladiolus. Dalen's Gladiolus is an old time garden favorite in Alabama. Many forms are available from nurseries, but the most common types seen in the state have either “burnt orange” or red flowers. Dalen's Gladiolus prefers a moist but well-draining soil in full sun. It is deer resistant and drought tolerant. It makes a long lasting cut flower. Plant can be grown from small corm offsets, from seed, or by cutting the corm into sections, making sure to get a portion of the terminal bud with each. --A. Diamond

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Not Native

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