Iris tuberosa



Iris tuberosa (formerly Hermodactylus tuberosus) is a species of tuberous flowering plant of the genus Iris, with the common names snake's-head, snake's-head iris, widow iris, black iris, or velvet flower-de-luce.

Distribution
A native of the Mediterranean region, it is found in the northern Mediterranean littoral and western Europe.

It can be found in Albania, France, Greece, and Italy.

Cultivation
It is grown from tubers planted in the autumn. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, and requires well-drained soil. It can naturalise in grassy areas but grows well in rock gardens or containers. It is a common ornamental garden plant, flowering in early spring. It is rather tender in the UK.

Taxonomic history
After being split off from the genus Iris in the nineteenth century into a separate genus, Hermodactylus, it has most recently been returned to the genus Iris, following molecular studies at Kew. According to the proposed molecular classification of irises of Tillie, Chase and Hall, this species is now best seen as a member of the subgenus Hermodactyloides, the reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises.