Iris sofarana
| Iris sofarana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Iris |
| Species: | I. sofarana |
| Binomial name | |
| Iris sofarana Foster | |
Iris sofarana is a species of plant in the Iridaceae family.
Description
Perennial. Rhizome short and compact. Leaves slightly curved, 25 cm long over 5–12 mm wide, Spathes slightly dilate at base. External tepals reflexed, ovate, 7 cm long over 4 cm wide, strongly spotted with purple on bluish-white background. Ungis covered with numerous hairs, occupying a broad surface, followed by a large purple-violaceous spot. Internal tepals erect, colored as much as external tepals or lighter. Veins white or purplish. Branches of style 2–3 cm long, lobes short, rounded ; margin denticulate.
Flowering
May.
Habitat
Stony and rocky places.
Distribution
Middle mountain, eastern slope of the Lebanese mountain.
Geographic area
Endemic to Lebanon.
This beautiful and big iris, with a span easily reaching twelve centimeters, owes its name to summer resort Sofar where it was discovered by Hartmann about one hundred years ago. It grows only in Lebanon where its survival is seriously threatened by excessive picking.[1]
References
- ↑ Mustapha Nehmeh, Wild Flowers Of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research,1978,pages 155,156.
- Georges Tohme& Henriette Tohme, IIIustrated Flora of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research, Second Edition 2014.