Gladiolus is the largest genus in the Iridaceae family with around 255 species. They are perennial bulbous flowering plants, sometimes called Sword lilies, but usually by its generic name, Gladiolus. It has been studied by taxonomists and now includes the genera Acidanthera, Homoglossum, Anomalesia and Oenostachys. The geographic range includes Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and the Middle East. They are treasured the world over for their beautiful, showy flowers which grow on tall spikes. These plants are often planted in cut flower gardens or in the back along the border, as they grow 60cm to 1.8 m tall. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily grown in raised garden beds and rockeries. Most Gladioli do equally well in pots. Gladioli are the flowers associated with a fortieth wedding anniversary.

Gladiolus maculatus, synonymously known as Gladiolus breynianus, Gladiolus hibernus, Gladiolus maculatus subsp. hibernus or Gladiolus vaginatus var. fergusoniae and commonly known as Bruinafrikaner or Kleinbruinafrikaner in Afrikaans and Small Brown Africander in English is a South African endemic plant that only occurs naturally in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces where it extends across the southern coast and immediate interior of the winter rainfall area, often found growing in heavy soils in renosterveld. Flowers are dull yellow to lilac and speckled with brown or purplish spots. They are long-tubed and fragrant during the day and the evening.