Gladiolus communis, the eastern gladiolus,[2] or common corn-flag,[3][4] is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, native to temperate northern Africa, western Asia and southern Europe, from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus,[4] and widely naturalised in frost-free locations elsewhere – such as coastal parts of the southwestern British Isles.

[5] It is a vigorous cormous herbaceous perennial growing to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall with linear leaves and bright pink flowers in spring.

Two subspecies are identified: In cultivation the latter has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[6][7][8]