Tap. 5565. 
GLADIOLUS Papruo. 
Butterfly-flowered Gladiolus. 
Nat. Ord. Intp—em.—Hexanpria Monoeynta. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tax. 5427.) 
Grapioiws Papilio ; elatus, glaberrimus, foliis 2-3-pedalibus lineari-ensi- 
formibus striatis, spica pedali laxiflora, floribus distantibus, spathis 
cymbiformibus tubum perianthii superantibus, perianthio campanulato 
ringente, lobis subsqualibus omnibus late obovatis 3 exterioribus et 
interiorum supremo pallide purpureis basi flavis, interiorum 2-laterali- 
bus medio sanguineo-purpureis et plaga semilunari aurea pictis, stig- 
mate breviter trifido. 
The Cape Colony abounds in species of Gladiolus, amongst 
which that now figured appears the most beautiful, though 
not the most gorgeous, that has hitherto been made known ; 
nothing can well exceed the delicacy of the pale purple of 
the upper petals, or the vividness of the deep purple and 
golden-yellow markings of the lower ones. It was received 
at Kew, in 1861, from D. Arnot, Esq., of Colesberg, to whom 
the Royal Gardens are indebted for many excellent plants; 
it was also found by Mr. W. Wilson Saunders’s collector, 
Cooper, from whom roots, kindly communicated by Mr. 
Saunders, flowered here two years later. 
Descr. Plant three feet high and upwards, quite glabrous, 
rather stout. Leaves narrow ensiform, gradually attenuated 
to the long acuminate apex, two to three feet long, one inch 
broad or upwards, striated, bright green. Spike a foot long 
and more, slender, slightly inclined, many-flowered. Flowers 
one to two inches apart. Bracts one to one and a half inch 
long, cymbiform, acute, longer than the perianth-tube, green, 
purplish on the back. Flowers horizontal, one and a half 
inch expanse, subcampanulate, with incurved lobes. Perianth- 
MARCH Ist, 1866. 
