sword lily

n 1: any of numerous plants of the genus Gladiolus native chiefly

to tropical and South Africa having sword-shaped leaves

and one-sided spikes of brightly colored funnel-shaped

flowers; widely cultivated [syn: {gladiolus}, {gladiola}]

2: plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing

bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three

drooping sepals [syn: {iris}, {flag}, {fleur-de-lis}]