gladiolus

 
Pronunciation: /ˌgladɪˈəʊləs/

noun (plural gladioli /-lʌɪ/)

  • an Old World plant of the iris family, with sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brightly coloured flowers, popular in gardens and as a cut flower.
    • Genus Gladiolus, family Iridaceae: many species

Origin:

Old English (originally denoting the gladdon), from Latin, diminutive of gladius 'sword' (used as a plant name by Pliny)