Gladiolus murielae (Abyssinian gladiolus, "Ashidansera")

Japanese name: アシダンセラ
Scientific name: Gladiolus murielae

[Overview]
A perennial 70–100 cm tall.
It has an underground corm.
Three to 4 leaves emerge, sword-shaped and 15–45 cm long.
The leaf bases form sheaths that clasp the stem.
A spike at the stem tip bears several flowers.
The flowers open in a star shape, are 6-petaled and 5 cm across, and the tepals are pointed at the tip.
The flowers are white with a purplish brown marking in the center.
The floral tube is slender and about as long as the tepals, and the flowers bloom slightly nodding.
The flowers are fragrant.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing corms or from cormlets.
It is sensitive to cold, so plant it in May when the temperature has risen enough.
It prefers fertile soil that is sunny and well drained.
It dislikes summer heat, so in summer provide shade or let it stay cool in airy partial shade.
For potted plants, from sprouting until flowering, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and gradually reduce the frequency after flowering.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer as base fertilizer.
After flowering, cut the flower stalk at the base.
When the leaves turn yellow, dig up the bulbs and store them in a place that can be kept at 15°C or above.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
It is sold under the name of its former genus, Acidanthera.

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