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 albens, synonymously known as Gladiolus maculatus subsp. eburneus, is a South African endemic species found growing in the Eastern Cape province on grassy slopes and in fynbos type vegetation. Although it grows predominantly in a summer rainfall zone, the area where it occurs does get some winter rainfall. The flowers are produced in autumn, usually between the months of April and May, and has its main growth period in winter after flowering. The dusty sweet-scented flowers are white to cream, sometimes with faint speckles or streaks in the throat or all over the tepals. Plants tend to grow 25 to 50 cm tall.