MORAEA MEDITERRANEA

Family and Genus:- See- IRIDACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Gynandriris monophylla

Meaning:- Moraea (L) For R. Moore English botanist.

Mediterranea (L) From the Mediterranean region.

General description:- Variable, low to medium, cormous perennial.

Leaves:-

1) Solitary, deep green, canaliculate, 5-8 mm wide, often longer than the pedicel.

Flower:-

1) To 20 mm, short-lived, bluish-lilac to violet, with a white or yellow patch on the

falls, iris-like.

2) Falls, oval to elliptical, 25-35 mm long.

3) Standard, slightly shorter, half the width of the falls.

4) Ovary, with a slender, solid neck, 20-30 mm long.

5) Bracts, up to 4 pairs, each enclosing several flowers, scarious.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Cultivated, waste and fallow ground, field margins, olive groves, scrub and

open woodland, roadsides. 0-750 m.

Distribution:- Limited distribution throughout the Mediterranean region. - Coastal

areas of NE Africa from Cyrenaica to Sinai. Widespread but not common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mid-Mar to early May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton