Which flower's name means 'little sword' in Latin?

The flower whose name means “little sword” in Latin is Gladiolus. The name comes from gladiolus, the diminutive form of gladius, the Latin word for sword.

The name refers to the plant's long, narrow, sword-shaped leaves. Gladiolus belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae, and produces tall spikes lined with funnel-shaped flowers. The plural is commonly written gladioli, although gladiolus is the singular form.

The Latin connection also explains the flower's older common name, sword lily. The botanical name was associated with the plant's leaf shape, not with the gladiators of ancient Rome, even though gladiators were named from the same Latin word for sword.

Gladiolus plants grow from underground corms and are widely cultivated as ornamental and cut flowers. They are especially associated with August as a birth flower and are often used to symbolize strength, remembrance, and moral integrity.