Gladiolus italicus,  creates a dramatic splash of magenta across the fields in springtime. It grows mainly on agricultural land and is abundant in the cemetary field on the edge of Skopelos town.

There are 6 to 10 flowers arranged in a spikes along one side of the gracefully curved stems, each in the axil of a narrow bract. There are 3 stamens and 3 stigmas attached to a single style.

Each plant has 3 or 4 grey-green leaves which are long and slightly ribbed with a pointed tip.

It is very similar to the other species of gladiolus found on Skopelos, G. illyricus, but more robust.