Iris bismarckiana

Yet another one of the incredible Oncocyclus Irises, with lots of Ricotia lunaria in the background

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

For a layman like me, can you tell a bit more about "Oncocyclus"? Posted 6 years ago
1. Yael Orgad
  
  Lion
  
  The genus "Iris" has hundred of species, so it is divided to sections. one of the more impressive sections (for some people I know - *the* most impressive one) is the Oncocyclus, or Royal Irises. all Royal Irises have big flower (at least 6 cm, largest I've seen was over 15 cm) with a single flower on each stem. the 3 upper petals form a crown shape. All Oncocyclus Irises grow in the Middle East and Caucasus regions, and most of them are restricted to small regions and are endangered.
  My Adviser's PhD included figuring out their pollination, and he found out they do not have nectar, but they are pollinated by male solitary bees that shelter in the flower, and take advantage of the dark colors - these flowers heat up faster than the surrounding (especially in cold winter or early spring mornings), allowing the sheltering bees to warm up, come out and start their day earlier. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks for a most excellent explanation, learned a lot from it! It sounds like they are a world within a world. Posted 6 years ago

The Nazareth Iris

Iris bismarckiana, the Nazareth iris, is a species in the genus ''Iris'', it is also in the subgenus ''Iris'' and in the section ''Oncocyclus''. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountainsides of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It has stoloniferous, spreading rhizomes, long, sword shaped, bright green leaves, long slender stem and 1 flower in Spring . The large flower is pale yellow, creamy-white, or white background. Which is covered with reddish-brown, maroon brown, purple-brown, purple,.. more

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Similar species: Agaves, Aloes, Onions

Species identified by Yael Orgad