Gladioli Flowers

Gladiolus Flowers For Weddings

Name : Gladioli Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Gladiolus, (Gladiolus oppositiflorus)
Gladioli Description

Gladiolus is a genus of about 260 species of perennial bulbous flowering plants in the Iris Family (Iridaceae). The Gladioli are distributed in Mediterranean Europe, Asia, Tropical Africa and South Africa with their center of diversity in the Cape Floristic Region, where most species were discovered. African Gladiolus varieties were extensively imported in to Europe from South Africa during the 18th century.

Common names include Sword Lily, Corn Lily whereas the most widely-used English common name is simply Gladiolus (plural gladioli, gladioluses or sometimes gladiolas). This majestic flower derives its name from the Latin word gladius, meaning sword. This is due the fact that Gladiolus has sword shaped leaves. An ancient name for this flower is Xiphium, from the Greek word Xiphos, which also means sword.

The Gladiolus is a spectacular, showy flower grown extensively in home gardens. Gladioli vary in size from very small varieties to the spectacular giant flower spikes and grow from symmetrical, rounded, corms that are enveloped in several layers of brownish, fibrous tunics. The stems are single, producing between 1 to 9 narrow, sword-shaped, longitudinal grooved leaves, enclosed in a sheath. Gladioli have large, fragrant, one-sided flower spikes. The sepals and the petals are collectively known as tepals since they are almost identical in appearance. These tepals are united at their base into a tube-shaped structure.

Gladiolus can be propagated either from small cormlets produced as offsets by the parent corms, or from seed. Gladiolus can also be propagated by division and clumps should be dug up and divided every few years to keep them vigorous. This regal flower loves humidity and warmer regions and requires consistent water and a well-tilled, rich soil. The corm bulbs should be planted during the early spring season, when the threat of frost has passed since Gladiolus is frost sensitive. They thrive in full sun, however, if you cannot get away from a partial shade, your gladiolas will still grow. Make sure the soil is moist, but well drained. Blossoms appear in July and stay till September. Some parts of Gladiolus plant are poisonous, and upon ingestion or handling some species may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Gladioli flowers are available in a wide array of eye-catching colours from pink to reddish or light purple with white, contrasting markings, or white to cream or orange to red.

This magnificent flower is perfect for use in your home, as cut flowers, or as borders around your home or landscape. Gladiolus is a very popular cut flower that adds colour, fragrance and a touch of drama to any flower arrangements. Gladiolus has a vase life of 7-14 days when properly cared for.

Gladioli Meaning

The gorgeous Gladiolus symbolizes Strength of Character, Faithfulness and Honour. It also signifies Remembrance. Gladiolus expresses Infatuation as well, telling the recipient that he or she pierces the heart.

The dazzling Gladiolus flower also has the honour of being the birth flower for August and the 40th wedding anniversary flower.

Gladioli Mythology

Gladiolus is considered to be a symbol of the Roman Gladiators. In mythology, there are many tales about gladioli springing from blood shed by a sword.

According to one Legend, the goddess of grain and harvest, Ceres in Roman mythology or Demeter in Greek, loved a sacred grove near Thessaly. A wealthy man, Erisichthon frequently took wood from the sacred grove since he didn’t believe in the gods. Once the worshippers tried to stop him but he cut off a man’s head. It is said that where the blood spilled, flowers sprang from the ground that Ceres called Gladiolus. Ceres then ordered Famine to enter Erisichthon’s body, and no matter how much he ate, he was never satisfied. When he had spent all his wealth, he sold his daughter to buy more food. She escaped into the grove where Ceres turned her into a Gladiolus as well. Finally when Erisichthon had nothing left to eat, Famine forced him to eat himself.

During different eras in time, this gorgeous flower has found several other uses besides ornamentation. The Mediterranean and British varieties of Gladiolus were used to treat physical ailments. The Gladiolus corm was used by the English as a poultice and for drawing out thorns and splinters; whereas powdered corms mixed with goat's milk were commonly used to soothe colic symptoms.