Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Green kalkoentjie, Groenkalkoentjie, Gladiolus

Family: Iridaceae (Iris)

Synonym: Gladiolus dregei, Gladiolus viperatus

Distribution: Namibia to Cape Flats, Free State

Habitat: Clay and sandstone soils

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

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

Comments: This Gladiolus is one of the Gladioli known as "kalkoentjies". This group is described as having spade-shaped upper petals and narrower lower petals which are the same colour at the tips as the upper tepals. These pretty bulbs are also usually quite fragrant. Gladiolus orchidiflorus has greenish to purple flowers with dark purple markings and has a fragrance which has been described as a combination of violet and freesia scents. It is quite widespread, occurring in Western Cape, Free State and Northern Cape and even as far as Namibia.