Wild gladiolus flowers are bright pink or purple in colour and there are between three to nine flowers on each stem. It flowers between June and July. It has grass-like leaves which are greyish green, long and thin. This makes it very difficult to spot when it is not in flower!
The wild gladiolus is found in the New Forest but not anywhere else in Britain! Its preferred habitat is under bracken in woodland rides and on wooded heathland.
The wild gladiolus grows flowers in spring before the woodland has a canopy of bracken and tree leaves. The bulbs of the wild gladiolus store energy to help it survive through the winter months.
Producer - As a green plant the wild gladiolus produces food via the process of photosynthesis.
The wild gladiolus has been classified as a species of conservation concern. It is thought to be in decline and is threatened by changes to its habitat due to grazing levels, poor management and human activities.