Gladiolus maculatus is a scented South African cormous geophyte, 25-70 cm high, found in the Eastern and Western Cape, often in renosterveld. It features 3-4 linear leaves, and 1-5, often heavily mottled brownish-orange to purple, or sometimes lilac-spotted, white to cream flowers. It blooms from March to July, attracting moths with its scent.