When I first found this plant in flower I assumed because it was fairly near habitation that it was a garden throw out which would disappear within a year or so. Twenty years later it still flowers next to some rocky outcrops by the sea and is as well established as any introduced species could be. Gladiolus communis ssp byzantinus is also known as Whistling Jacks and is most often found escaped in the south west of England and along the south coast. Elsewhere it is dotted sparsely around and there are a few outposts on Anglesey where this one was photographed. It is present on the Channel Islands and the Scillies as well as the Isle of man but is absent from Scotland, very rare in Ireland and rare in Wales.

Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, North Wales 4th June 2011

Added on 2nd May 2012, updated 29th January 2013