Gladiolus gregarius

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gladiolus klattianus
• Antholyza gilletii
• Gladiolus elegans
• Gladiolus corbisieri
• Gladiolus uhehensis
• Gladiolus multiflorus
• Gladiolus hanningtonii
• Gladiolus karendensis
• Gladiolus macrospathus
• Antholyza descampsii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Gladiolus gregarius, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Asparagales and the family Iridaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Gladiolus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the country of Benin. It also grows within the territories of Burkina and Ghana. Furthermore, the species can be found in Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Gladiolus gregarius is characterized by a specific growth strategy and structural adaptation to its environment. As a plant with an annual lifecycle, it completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Structurally, it is classified as a geophyte, meaning it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating to underground storage organs. This classification is further supported by its status as a cryptophyte, a life form where the regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its persistence and ability to re-emerge when conditions become favorable.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gladiolus gregarius is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit without the need for climbing structures. This terrestrial plant typically develops as an independent organism, functioning without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of stature, the species reaches a mean plant height of approximately 1 m, with individual specimens varying in size from a minimum of 0.61 m to a maximum height of 1.22 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.219214826 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.609607413 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gladiolus gregarius is characterized by its specific metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism typical of many monocotyledonous species, where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Gladiolus gregarius does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gladiolus gregarius is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect pollination to achieve fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is uniform with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 0.00171 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00171 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Gladiolus gregarius has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Gladiolus gregarius has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR