Gladiolus orchidiflorus bracts

    Gladiolus orchidiflorus bracts
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Judd Kirkel Welwitch

    The two bracts subtending each Gladiolus orchidiflorus flower are greenish, sometimes purplish grey. The outer bract becomes about 2 cm long with margins rolled in, the inner one sometimes slightly shorter, its tip notched. At the top in the photo the sharply pointed bracts still covering their buds appear brash to bellicose over the older flowers below.

    In the open flower on show the brightest parts, the lateral lower tepals, hang ostensibly listlessly. As long as the colours are present to attract important eyes, the shape doesn't matter in a flag, as when the wind doesn't blow. Above that, the style branches droop white over the anthers, shorter than them although their base is longer. They all receive VIP treatment against sunlight under protective cover of the dorsal tepal. 

    The lateral pair of upper tepals spread like elephant ears beside the flower centre in notice board fashion. The one-liner upon them may mean something to pollinators (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; iNaturalist).

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