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 bilineatus is a very rare South African endemic species known from five subpopulations, all with low numbers of individuals. It is estimated that the total population is fewer than 1000 mature individuals. It is potentially threatened by livestock overgrazing and alien plant invasion. It is found growing in the Western Cape province’s Langeberg Mountains. It is an autumn-flowering species with only three leaves on the flowering stem and few-flowered spikes of pale pink to salmon-pink flowers.