
110322_109_Hermodactylus tuberosus.jpg


Hermodactylus tuberosus (syn. Iris tuberosa), late March. The Snake's head or Widow iris has flowers with green standards and deep-purple, almost black falls that appear in February. The name derives from Hermes, the messenger of the gods, with the rest meaning "fingers", a reference to the shape of the tuberous roots. Native to southern Europe, being found in Greece, Spain and Turkey.
© Alan Buckingham