Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii

Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii, commonly known as the Dale's Gladiolus, is a delicate perennial native to Southern Africa. Beyond its striking floral beauty, this subspecies holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally, various parts of the plant have been utilized in folk medicine to treat ailments, showcasing its unique therapeutic potential.

  • Scientific name: Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii
  • Family: Iridaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, specifically within the family Iridaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Gladiolus as the subspecies Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Iridaceae WCVP
Genus Gladiolus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii, is known by various regional names depending on the language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the Dale's gladiolus, while in Afrikaans, it is known as Dale se gladiol.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution spanning across different continental regions. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found growing in the Azores and Madeira. Its range also extends significantly into West Tropical Africa. Within this African region, the species is specifically documented in Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its presence is confirmed in the coastal nation of Ghana.

Region Area Source
Macaronesia Azores WCVP
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii, is a geophyte that relies on a specialized underground storage organ known as a corm. This thickened, fleshy stem base serves as a vital reservoir for nutrients and water, allowing the plant to survive periods of dormancy and provide the necessary energy for rapid growth and flowering when favorable conditions return.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
corm 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Gladiolus dalenii subsp. dalenii has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihyperlipidemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆