A member of the iris family, the blue pipe is one of the many species of Gladiolus that grow in the incredibly biodiverse Cape Floristic Region (2) (4). The Latin name gracilis, meaning slender, accurately describes this species’ appearance, with the leaves rolled into slim, hollow tubes which branch from a long, thin central stem. The blue pipe’s most striking feature is its large, fragrant flowers. Reaching 2.5 centimetres in width, they are mainly blue or grey with dark streaks, although occasionally pink or yellow varieties occur (2).
- Height: 30 – 60 cm (2)