Gladiolus tristis - Marsh Afrikaner, Ever flowering Gladiolus
Here is a neat little bulb for the garden that provides an unusual colour. In late spring the light lime green flowers with purplish midlines (ribs) appear on slender stems. Some populations in the wild have more purplish markings than others givimg rise to options for plant breeding. Not only are they attractive to look at but also at night they are full of perfume.
Like all gladiolus this one is from South Africa and found widespread in the winter rainfall regions. It is often found in dense colonies on damp flats from near sea level to high elevations or on the banks above strams in poorly drained soil or cool south facing slopes
It is worthy of much wider cultivation. It will grow well in most well drained soils but it requires large amounts of humus and winter moisture to get the best from it.
The thin rush like leaves appear in late winter followed by the flower spikes carrying between two to eight trumpet-shaped flowers. The time of bloom varies by populations depending upon where the original corms were collected. The corms are quite small (20mm in diameter) and could be easily lost in the soil if it is cultivated and they are easily spread because they are so small. It is dormant in summer.It also spreads by seed, and has been known to naturalize in habitats it likes such as gardens.
Moro photographs can be found on this pinterest page Gladilous tristis
More information can be found at http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Gladiolus_tristis