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 cunonius is commonly known by many names, including scarlet-flowered Antholyza, suikerkannetjie, spoon flower and Rooipypie. It is a rare South African endemic species from the Western Cape where it grows in sandy soil near the coast between Cape Town and Knysna. It has sword-shaped leaves, grows to a height of 40cm and blooms in spring when it produces very bright, lipstick-red, long tubular flowers, each of which carries an attractive elongated upper tepal. The long upper tepal is unusual in the Gladiolus genus. Synonyms for Gladiolus cunonius include Anomalesia cunonia and Antholyza cunonia.