Gladiolus is also commonly referred to by the name of its genus – Gladiolus, the plural form of which can be Gladiole, Gladioluses or Gladioli. Gladiolus is also known as the Sword Lily, due to its sword shaped leaves, or Corn Lily.
Gladiolus plants are attractive, perennial herbs and semihardy in temperate climates. They grow from rounded, symmetrical corms that are enveloped in several layers of brownish, fibrous tunics. The fragrant Gladiolus flower spikes are large and one-sided, with secund, bisexual flowers.