In the Eglone nature reserve in Jēkabpils Municipality, the rare and protected sword lily Gladiolus imbricatus, is in full bloom, having appeared in large numbers in a meadow managed by Latvijas valsts meži within the reserve.

Following the measures outlined in the nature conservation plan developed in 2013, LVM first cleared woody vegetation from the meadow and subsequently carried out regular mowing, fostering favourable conditions for the rare herbaceous plant's habitat and allowing a large number of gladiolus populations to recover.

LVM environmental planning specialist Sandra Līckrastiņa estimates that there could be around a thousand gladioli in the meadow. The gladioli are also blooming spectacularly in another nearby floodplain meadow along the banks of the Eglona River. At the same time, the specialist reminds us that the plant is specially protected and picking it is not permitted.

The sword lily is a perennial herbaceous plant of the iris family. Its flowers are purple-pink, sometimes varying in shade. In Latvia, it is found quite rarely and unevenly, mostly in the eastern and central parts of the country. It most often grows in river floodplain meadows and valleys, and occasionally on forest edges or in clearings with sparse shrubs. The western part of the species' range crosses through Latvia.

The sword lily is listed in the Red Data Book of the Baltic Region, as well as in category 3 of the Red Data Book of Latvia. The species is included in the list of specially protected species for which micro-reserves must be established.