BOTANY, RESEARCH AND HORTICULTURE OF GLADIOLUS

Gladiolus is one of the most important bulbous ornamental grown for its long
lasting spikes with attractive colour. It is among top 10 bestselling florist
flowers worldwide and is the 40th wedding anniversary flower. The Gladiolus
genus currently includes 260-300 species and more than 30,000 cultivars.
Gladiolus palustris, common name marsh gladiolus or sword Lilly, is a
herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the genous Gladiolus of the family
iridaceae. Gladioli have a unique long and pointed shape. Because of their
shape, they are named after the Latin word “gladius”, meaning sword. In Rome,
Gladioli were associated with Gladiators’. Some say that gladiators wore
Gladiolus corms around their Necks during battles to help to win and to protect
them from death.
Gladiolus is being in an area of 11660 ha in the country with an estimate
production of 106 crore cut flowers. Among the cut flowers, gladiolus occupied
third position in terms of both area and production. Even though gladiolus is
mainly a winter season crop for Plains of India, in areas having moderate
climatic conditions, gladiolus can be grown thought the year.
This book, Botany, Research and Horticulture in Gladiolus is a research out
come and will the Researchers’, Academicians’, farmers and students to know
more about this crop and why a single corm of gladiolus can change economic
scenario of Indian marginal farmers.