Gladiolus microcarpus

Quick Characteristics:

Gladiolus microcarpus is endemic to the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, South Africa and Lesotho. Plants grow on rocks and steep cliffs where their stems hang downward from vertical rock faces and their stems are anchored in crevices. During the growing season the habitat is moist. Flowers are bright pink with a broad white longitudinal zone in the lower two thirds of the lower three tepals and a narrow reddish purple streak in the midline. Photos taken by Cameron McMaster at Sentinel Peak, February 2008.