Gladiolus is a genus of perennial cormous flowering plants in the iris family. It is sometimes called the 'Sword lily',
but usually by its generic name. The genus occurs in Asia, Mediterranean
Europe, South Africa, and tropical Africa. The center of diversity is in the Cape Floristic Region. The
genera Acidanthera, Anomalies, Homoglossum, and Oenostachys, formerly
considered distinct, are now included in Gladiolus. Source
