Widow iris (Iris tuberosa)

Arta, Epirus

Arta, Epirus

The name of this beautiful iris has cause a big debate among botanologists as some of it place it in the Iris genus as Iris tuberosa and some as Hermodactylus tuberosus, but it is always in the Iridaceae family. It appears to have a vast number of common names like Snake's head, widow iris, black iris or velvet flower-de-luce and in greek μαυρόκυκνος ή αυτί του λαγού. According to the latest molecular studies it is classified as I. tuberosa.

Arta, Epirus

It is endemic to the Mediterranean region and usually starts flowering in winter but this year, because of the bad weather, it started blooming in spring. It is a fairly short plant with a height of about 30cm and it blends really well with it surroundings. The reason for the constant cahnge of genuses is the lack of the characteristic flag like tepals that the Iris genus has.

Algerian Iris (Iris unguicularis)

Iris unguicularis (Iridaceae family) (formaly known as I. stylosa) is often known as Algerian iris (ίριδα) but it is native not only to Algeria but it can be found in northern Africa and eastern Mediterranean as well. The name unguicularis comes from Latin unguis that means claw and refers to the claw-like formation of the style and the branches. It can bloom as early as Christmas and can have consecutive flowering that lasts until Easter. The erratic flowering is a clever way to avoid weather damage as the flowers, in contrary to the buds, are not frost proof. The flowers are purple with yellow and white markings and a very nice aroma.
The flower can practically thrive in every kind of soil and it does not mind beeing neglected, so it can be a perfect choice for "lazy" gardeners.

Sand crocus (Romulea bulbocodium)

 

Romulea bulbocodium is a crocus like flower belonging to the Iridaceae family. The name of the genus is derived from Romulus the founder of Rome and alludes to the abundance of those flowers in the suburbs of Rome.
It can be easily mixed up with crocuses but they have two main differences. First of all their leaves don't have the distinct central white line that crocuses do and the flowers are on stems and do not come directly from earth like the crocuses. Finally they corms have a characteristic circular or semi-circular plate on their base.
One of the main characteristics of Romulea bublocodium are the big stigma arms (I think that they look like a windmill) that protrude above the anthers. Their colour can be purple, white with purple ends, yellow and not that often white, like mine, but the center of the flower is always yellow. It is one of the first blooming flowers.

Snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus)

This beautiful bright yellow crocus is the snow crocus (κρόκος) and as its name implies is often seen  to come out from snow. It's scientific name Crocus chrysanthus (Iridaceae family) refers to the colour it has, as it is derived from the greek word chrysos meaning gold. One of its main feautures that distinguishes from other crocuses is the fact that the stigma is divided in three parts as it can be seen in the first picture. It is native to the Balκans and Turkey. I took those pictures near Vradeto in Epirus.

Crocus (Crocus veluchensis)

 Crocus veluchensis (Iridaceae family) or commonly known as crocus (κρόκος) is one of the most widespread crocuses in Greece. It was named after the mountain Veluchi in central Greece. The blossom has a wide range of colours from deep purple to pale purple and even white. The first two pictures were taken in Mt Olympos and the last two ones in Chelidona Mt in Central Greece.

Purple flag (Iris germanica)

Iris germanica or commonly known as purple flag or just iris (κρινάκι ή ίριδα), belongs to the Iridaceae family. One of its main characteristics is the beard of hair in the middle of the petal. It has beautiful flower that appears both in white and purple. The leaves and the rhizome contain irisin a substance that can cause irritanion of the digestive system. I saw those ones while hiking near Vradeto (Epirus) and the white one in my garden.
In ancient Greek mythology Iris was personification of the rainbow and a messenger.

Crocus (Crocus sieberi)

Crocus sieberi or crocus(κρόκος) is also known as Cretan crocus and belongs to the Iridaceae family. One of its main characteristics of the flower is that 3-6 petals are striped and that their base is yellow.It was first discovered in Crete and thought to be endemic there, but now it’s known to occur in mainland Greece and other southern European countries. I saw those beautiful crocuses while hiking at Chelmos in Peloponnese in the beginning of June.
According to  Greek mythology Crocus was a friend of god Hermes. Once while they were playing Hermes hit Crocus on his head by accident and killed him. At that exact spot a crocus grew and as three drops of blood fell in the centre of the flower and they turned into the three filaments. That is how crocus gained his name.
Crocus has been used from the ancient times for various purposes. As a dye (yellowish colour), as a medicine (antioxidant, pain killer) or as a spice (saffron is the filaments from some crocus species). As for Crocus sieberi it is used as an ornament plant but also as a food. Its corms can be eaten raw and they are supposed to taste of haselnuts (Crete) and its leaves can be eaten as greens (Turkey).
Crocus flowers have been depicted in minoic murals in Knossos and in Santorini. Both of them show the ritual of crocus gathering.