Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Gladiolus

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Distribution: Riviersonderend to George and Gamkaberg

Habitat: Rocky loam

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Near Threatened

Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber - seasonally dormant)

Comments: Gladiolus emiliae is a noticeable Cape bulb with its yellow flowers with brown or purplish specks. These flowers emerge from March to April. This bulb is endemic to the Western Cape and occurs only from Riviersonderend to George, growing on rocky loam or clay soils. Gladiolus emiliae is classified as near threatened. It is only known from about twenty sites and is losing habitat as a result of afforestation and alien invasion.