Gladiolus Studies — I ^ 129 



This hybrid created a furor in the gladiolus world, and the interest 

 in the plant steadily grew after this form was introduced. It was soon 

 followed b>' G. gandavensis var. citrinus, a citron yellow flower having 

 a red stripe down the middle of each of the three lower segments. 



Dean Herbert, w^ho at this time had had long experience in hybridizing 

 gladioli, doubted the parentage of G. gandavensis as given by M. Van 

 Houtte. He said (1837:365): "I have not succeeded in obtaining 

 any cross, on the correctness of which I can depend, by admixture with 

 Gladiolus psittacinus (Nathalensis), and I do not believe that it will 

 breed with any of the above " (referring to G. cardinalis, blandtis, carneus, 

 inflahis, angnstns, tristis, hirsutiis, reaircus, and versicolor). 



It appears that in the discussions of the time G. floribimdus was con- 

 fused, at least in commercial circles, with G. oppositiflorns — a not 

 unnatural result when it is considered that the true plants are closely 

 allied botanicaUy. Both are allied to G. blandiis. The flowers of the 

 two first named are white or only tinged with pink; and considering 

 the ntunber of flowers produced on a spike, it is reasonable to suppose 

 that these species would be used in crossing. In fact there is evidence of 

 G. Uoribundiis having been used. Among the first of its hybrids were 

 those of Mr. Cole, gardener for Mr. WiUmore at Oldford. England, who 

 sent out the following varieties in 1850: 



Wilhnoreanns, a hybrid between G. gandavensis and G. floribundus, 

 creamy white, the three upper divisions streaked delicate rosy purple. 



Oldfordiensis , delicate salmon color marked with purple. Flowers 

 large. 



Roseo-purpurens , deep rosy red, marked \\'ith deep purple-red. Flowers 

 of medium size. Two years later Wellington, a deep orange-red variety, 

 was sent out from the same source. 



The record is not clear as to G. oppositiflonis unless the plant used by 

 Mr. Cole was really this species. However one may regard the state- 

 ments concerning the origin of G. gandavensis, there is no escaping the 

 conclusion, after studying present-day varieties of this group, that G. 

 oppositiflorus either was one of the parents of the original hybrid or has 

 been used in hybridizing with it. Without herbariimi specimens of the 

 first varieties of gandavensis, it is of course difficult to determine whether 

 they exhibit any characteristics of G. oppositiflorus. On examination 

 of the colored figures of this form, it would seem as though the distichous 

 arrangement of the flowers on the spike was apparent from the beginning. 

 Paxton (1844) figures G. gandavensis and gives a botanical description 

 wherein he states that it is distichously spicate. Although this is placed 

 in that part of the description referring to the genus, the author must 

 have known that most of the species of Gladiolus have secund spikes. 



