Meaning Of Gladiolus Flowers

Gladiolus flowers are sometimes called the sword lily but it's most common english name is gladiolas. Named for the shape of their leaves, gladioli – from the Latin word “gladius,” meaning sword – have a history than spans from Africa to the Mediterranean. Symbolizing strength and moral integrity, gladioli also represent infatuation, with a bouquet conveying to a recipient that they pierce the giver’s heart with passion.

Gladiolus flowers are striking and colorful with towering stems, this August birth flower and 40th wedding anniversary flower evoke the drama of Roman gladiators. These flowers are variously colored, pink to reddish or light purple with white, contrasting markings, or white to cream or orange to red.

Some Interesting Facts about Gladiolus

• There are 163 out of the 250 species of Gladiolus from Southern Africa
• Gladiolus are used as food plants by the larvae of some moths and butterflies
• Gladiolus also the name for the body of sternum.

The majority of the Gladiolus are native to sub-Sahara Africa, primarily South Africa. The genus Gladiolus contains about 260 species. Only 10 species of the Gladiolus are native to Europe and Asia or Eurasia. The species vary from very small to the very large spectacular giant flower.

Gladiolus have been extensively hybridized and cross pollinated to produce a wide range of favorable flower colours from the many gladiolus species. The main hybrid groups have been obtained by crossing between four or five species. The results of these hybrids have made very good cut flowers.

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