Distribution Map

Gladiolus papilio

               
sidvwana

Iridaceae Crocoideae Gladioleae 

As at April 2024, 9 herbarium specimens, 4 photo records

South African Red List status: LC
Global Distribution: Southern Africa only
Found within protected areas: Malolotja
Flora Protection Act: Schedule B
Medicinal

Description (Compton's Flora of Swaziland*):
Gladiolus papilio - Very distinctive, graceful, up to 90 cm high with few faintly ribbed leaves up to 2 cm wide. Inflorescence axis slender, flowers few (up to c seven) widely spaced on axis which is slightly bent between them. Floral bracts 3 cm long, standing out from axis. Perianth dull purplish-mauve, sometimes with faint cream blotches on lower lateral segments; tube cylindrical, 1 cm long, remainder of perianth expanding rapidly into wide-mouthed bell shape, upper segments c 3,5 cm long >< 2 cm wide, only slightly larger than lower, all very blunt so that bell looks almost square cut at mouth. Anthers c 1 cm long. Style-branches c 3 mm long.

* Where species names have changed, these have been matched according to herbarium specimens quoted in this publication.

Notes:
Global distribution information: southern Africa includes southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe.
Restricted distribution has been based on an estimated extent of occurence of less than 100 000 km2 and/or an estimated area of occupancy of 100 km2, based on geo-referenced GBIF and iNaturalist data.