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 aurantiacus, commonly known as Isihlanzi in isiZulu, is a South African indigenous perennial bulbous plant found in the Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. It also extends into neighbouring Eswatini. Plants normally reach 45 to 75 cm in height. The flowers are yellow, dotted or streaked with red or orange which gives them the appearance of being orange. Flowers are adapted for pollination by sunbirds. Flowering is bizarre as it happens early in spring, mostly in September and October, before the main rainy season has started.