Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) —Common Names:— Glads Corn Lilies Sword Lilies Gladiolus is the flower of August.

The name Gladiolus is from the Latin word gladius, meaning sword.  It is considered to be the flower of the Roman Gladiators, and called the sword lily.  A member of the Iris family, it originated in Africa.  Gladiolus were found growing in the fields of Asia Minor over 2,000 years ago and were called corn lilies.  Gladiolus grew abundantly and wild in the Holy Land and the waste lands along the Mediterranean coast of Africa.  They were thought to be the lilies of the field that Jesus referred to in the Sermon on the Mount.  The English used the gladiolus flowers to treat physical ailments.  Mashed gladiolus roots were used for drawing out splinters and thorns.  Dried gladiolus seed pods were ground to powder and swallowed with goat's milk, as a remedy for colic.  They began being used as cut flowers in North America in the early 1800s.  Today, there are at least 180 known species.  The Gladiolus signifies remembrance.   It also expresses infatuation, telling the receiver that he or she "pierces the heart."  In the language of flowers Gladiolus represent Strength of Character ********

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