About: Gladiolus flanaganii

Gladiolus flanaganii is a Gladiolus species found in cliffs of the Drakensberg in Natal, South Africa. This is a flower with a two inch wide, red blooming opening on short spikes. As many as seven flowers can appear on each spike. It is summer blooming and tolerant of summer water before going dormant in late summer. The species was named flanaganii in commemoration of Henry George Flanagan a botanist from the Eastern Cape. It is sometimes called “Suicide Lily” due to it growing against cliffs, which can be dangerous.