Plate 175.
Reading edition
GLADIOLUS TRISTIS. Cape Province. Liliaceae. Tribe Ixieae. Gladiolus, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 709.
Gladiolus tristis, Linn. Sp. Plant. ed. 2, i. 53, ex parte; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 139.
There appears to be a great deal of confusion between this species of Gladiolus and G. grandis, even among the specimens quoted under these species in the “Flora Capensis”; and possibly when a large range of living specimens is examined the two species now upheld will be referred to a single species. Gladiolus tristis is quite a handsome member of the genus, and while not so highly coloured as some, the large semi-translucent flowers with such delicate markings have a charm of their own; besides which, the flowers are very sweetly scented. The species is readily raised from seed, and under proper cultivation it flowers about fifteen months after sowing.
Our plate was made from plants grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Irene near Pretoria.
Description:—Corm 1·5 cm. in diameter, globose. Produced leaves 2 or 3; the lowest up to 36 cm. long, 4-angled, appearing as a cross in transverse section, glabrous; upper leaves similar but shorter. Inflorescence usually 3-flowered. Outer spathe-valves 3·5 cm. long, lanceolate-oblong, acute; inner spathe-valve similar, but slightly curved and gradually narrowing upwards; lobes 3·5 cm. long, 2·8 cm. broad, ovate, bluntly acuminate, obtuse minutely apiculate. Stamens shorter than the style. Style-branches cuneate, papillose on the margins.
Plate 175.—Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, corm, showing bulbil; Fig. 3, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 4, portion of leaf; Fig. 5, cross-section of leaf; Fig. 6, anther with part of filament; Fig. 7, stigmae with part of style; Fig. 8, ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1925.
