The Iris Family
Meadow Saffron Family - Colchicaceae
The meadow saffrons are included here because of their similarity to the crocuses.
Bivon's Meadow Saffron Colchicum bivonaeNative to Sardinia, southern Italy the southern Balkans and Turkey. Flowers in September so only the leaves and seed capsules are typically seen by spring visitors to Lesvos.
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Iris Family - Iridaceae
Purple Sand Crocus Romulea linaresii ssp. graecaThe species is native to the Mediterranean Region, from Tunisia and Sicily eastward through Greece to western Turkey, with the current subspecies occurring in the east of the range. Scape barely appearing above ground at anthesis; tepals 10-16mm, vioelt, sometimes paler with darker veins. Anthers yellow, filaments purple. Stigmas lower than top of anthers. Leaves often appressed to the ground.
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Common Sand Crocus Romulea columnae
Native to coastal sands of Macaronesia, the Atlantic seaboard of Europe and the Mediterranean Region. Scape barely appearing above ground at anthesis; tepals 9-15mm, white to pale lilac and typically with a yellow throat. Stigmas lower than top of anthers.
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Field Gladiolus Gladiolus italicus
Native throughout the Mediterranean Basin and eastwards to Central Asia. Typically found in disturbed habitats along roadsides and in arable fields. Anthers longer than their stalks.
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Illyrian Gladiolus Gladiolus illyricus
Native throughout the European Mediterranean region to Romania and Turkey. Typically found in semi-natural habitats such as stony slopes and old Olive groves. Anthers shorter than their stalks.
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Turkish Iris Iris orientalis
Native to western Turkey and just reaches into Greece in the Evros Delta, Lesvos and Samos. Occurs in fresh or brackish meadows, usually near the coast.
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Bearded Iris Iris x germanica
A hybrid between Iris pallida and Iris variegata, originating from the Balkans but long cultivated as a garden plant. Cultivated varieties come in an endless array of colours and are occasionally seen around monasteries or cultivated margins.
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Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Native throughout Europe to western Asia and North-west Africa. A plant of wetlands.
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Barbary Nut Moraea sisyrinchium
(Gynandriris sisyrinchium ) Native to warmer, drier parts of the Mediterranean, eastwards through the Middle East to the western Himalayas. Flowers usually open only in the afternoon.
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