the.com/gladiolus
the flower named for swords, gifted to gladiators who survived the arena.
latin rootmeans little sword, for its blade-like leaves
corm not bulbgrows from a swollen stem base, replaced yearly
victors' bloomthrown to winning Roman gladiators in the ring
august birthflowersymbolizes strength, integrity, and pierced hearts
tall stalkssome spikes shoot past five feet high