Tas. 6335. 
GLADIOLUS Ecxtonr. 
Native of the Cape of Good Hope. 
Nat. Ord. Inmpackm—Tribe GrapDIoLER®. 
Genus Giapio.us, Tourn. (Baker in Journ. Linn. Soe, vol. xvi. p. 170). 
Grapiotus Hekloni ; bulbo magno globoso, collo setoso, tunicis brunneis in fibras 
parallelas dissolutis, foliis productis circiter 4 ensiformibus acutis 
subpedalibus glabris rigide coriaceis venis et marginibus incrassatis, caule 
subpedali folioso, spica densa 6-12-flora semipedali, spathe valvis magnis 
lanceolatis, perianthii tubo curvato 9-12 lin. longo, limbi crebre minute 
purpureo-rubro punctati segmentis tubo squilongis, tribus- superioribus 
ovatis vel oblongis obtusiusculis, tribus inferioribus minoribus unguiculatis, 
staminibus limbo duplo brevioribus, filamentis brevissimis, stigmatibus 
cuneatis antheras superantibus. 
G. Eckloni, Lehm.; Klatt in Linnea, vol. xxxii. p. 712; Baker in Journ. Linn. 
Soe. vol. xvi. p. 175. 
Nevsert longifolia, Ecklon, Topog. Verz. p. 87 (nomen solum). 
G. carneus, Klatt in Linnea, vol. xxxii. p. 722, non Delaroche. 
This is a most distinct and beautiful species of Gladiolus, 
marked by its comparatively dwarf habit, ensiform leaves, 
and as compared with the best-known Cape species small 
flowers with innumerable minute spots of bright red purple 
on a pale groundwork. It is widely spread in South Africa 
extending from Uitenhage northward through Kaffraria to 
Natal, and inland to Basuta-land and the Transvaal, As it 
ascends to a height of three thousand or four thousand feet 
on the Katberg, we may fairly expect it to be as hardy in 
England as any of the Cape species. For the specimen 
figured we are indebted to Mr. Elwes, who flowered it at 
Cirencester in October. He procured it from Mr. Wilson 
Saunders, who had it from Mr. Thomas Cooper from the 
Drakensberg. We confidently expect it will prove a 
pular favourite. 
DECEMBER Ist, 1877. 
