Gladiolus debilis bracts

The dark brown grey and ridged bracts that cover the long corolla tubes of Gladiolus debilis flowers may also be light green or flushed purple. The two corolla enfolding bracts are unequal, their margins appearing glassy. A corolla tube is from 1,5 cm to 2,2 cm long.

Three cream coloured stigma branches are just visible among anther tips on one flower in the photo. They may be of interest to the long-legged pollinator on the other flower. It has a long tongue as well, busy dealing with the flower (Manning, 2009; Goldblatt and Manning, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).