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 vandermerwei, commonly known as Overberg Renosterveld Gladiolus or Rooipypie and synonymously known as Antholyza vandermerwei and Homoglossum vandermerwei, is a rare and endangered South African endemic species found from Bot River to Heidelberg in the Western Cape province. It has bright red flowers with an elongate perianth tube. The lower tepals are short and narrow, yellowish in the lower half and arch outward.