GLADIOLUS is any of several species of showy flowering herbs of the iris family (Iridaceae). It has broad flat leaves that resemble the blades of swords. The long, straight stalk and lily-like blossoms make the gladiolus one of the most handsome flowers grown for garden and house decoration. Native to South Africa, Asia, and Europe, the species of wild gladiolus have been hybridized and selected by plant breeders in Europe and the United States so that hundreds of different varieties are now known.
The Jet Stream. How the earth's rotation the effects the west to east direction of the jet stream. Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere. The winds blows from west to east in jet streams but the flow often shifts to the north and south. Jet streams follow the boundaries between hot and cold air. Since these hot and cold air boundaries are most pronounced in winter, jet streams are the strongest for both the northern and southern hemisphere winters.
Rivers of fast-moving air in the atmosphere are called jet streams, and occur at altitudes from 25 to 40 thousand feet above the ground. Speeds in the jet stream can reach as high as 175 miles per hour or more. When clouds occur at that level, they move very quickly.