Gladiolus unguiculatus

A bulb-forming plant. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. Prefers moist soil.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-60 cm high. The corms are 15-25 mm across. The leaves develop on separate shoots after the flowering. There are up to 18 flowers on a stalk. They are purple and have some white parts.

Edible Uses

The bulb is cooked and eaten in porridges and soups.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in seasonally wet sites. It grows in wooded grassland.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

None known

Propagation

Seed.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 150-300 Gladiolus species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

References (4)

• Abbiw, D.K., 1990, Useful Plants of Ghana. West African uses of wild and cultivated plants. Intermediate Technology Publications and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p 31
• Chapman, J. D. & Chapman, H. M., 2001, The Forest Flora of Taraba and Andamawa States, Nigeria. WWF & University of Canterbury. p 210
• Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 24
• Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 16

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