Gladiolus symmetranthus

Gladiolus symmetranthus is a synonym of Gladiolus trichonemifolius, a species endemic to the south-western Cape, South Africa. The globose corm, tunicated with matted parallel fibres, gives rise to a slender, cylindrical stem 15 to 45 cm tall bearing 3 narrow, rigid, sheathing, terete leaves. The upright inflorescence carries 1 to 3 yellow flowers with an almost straight, 2–2.5 cm tube flaring into a funnel in its upper half, the segments oblong, pointed and roughly equal. It flowers in spring. Grow in sandy, well-drained soil, in a sunny position, with the dry summer dormancy typical of Cape geophytes.