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What is the difference between gladiolus and sweet flag? A quick guide to tell them apart

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Plant form differences: The corm of gladiolus is oblate-spherical, covered on the outside by a layer of brown or yellowish-brown membrane. The rhizome of sweet flag grows horizontally and is slightly flattened, covered on the outside by a layer of yellowish-brown skin. Leaf differences: The leaves of gladiolus are shorter than those of sweet flag. Flower differences: Gladiolus flowers come in many colors such as red, yellow and white, while sweet flag flowers are mostly yellow-green.

I. Plant form differences

The corm of gladiolus is oblate-spherical, with a diameter between 2.5-4.5cm. Its outside is covered by a layer of brown or yellowish-brown membrane. The rhizome of sweet flag grows horizontally and is slightly flattened, with a diameter of 0.5cm-1cm. Its outside is covered by a layer of yellowish-brown skin.

II. Leaf differences

The leaves of gladiolus are sword-shaped, 40-60cm long and 2-4cm wide. The leaves of sweet flag are sword-shaped and linear, wider at the base and gradually narrowing. Its leaves are 90-150cm long, and the middle part of the leaves is 1-3cm wide.

III. Flower differences

The inflorescence of gladiolus is a scorpioid monochasial cyme, without pedicels, and the flowers come in many colors such as red, yellow and white. The inflorescence of sweet flag is narrowly conical and cylindrical, and the flowers are mostly yellow-green.

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