Iris tuberosa (formerly Hermodactylus tuberosus) is a
species of
tuberousflowering plant of the genus Iris, with the common names snake's-head,[4]snake's-head iris,[5]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.[6]
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.[8] It is a common ornamental garden plant, flowering in early spring. It is rather tender in the UK.[9]
Taxonomic history
After being split off from the genus Iris in the nineteenth century into a separate genus,[10]Hermodactylus, it has most recently been returned to the genus Iris,[11][12] following molecular studies at
Kew.[13] According to the proposed molecular classification of irises of Tillie, Chase and Hall,[13] this species is now best seen as a member of the subgenus Hermodactyloides, the reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises.
Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2008). The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 204–207.
ISBN978-0-88192-897-6.
Goldblatt, P., (1990) Phylogeny and classification of Iridaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 77:607-627.
Reeves, G., Chase, M.W., Goldblatt, P., Rudall, P., Fay, M.F., Cox, A.V., LeJeune, B., & Souza-Chies, T., (2001). Molecular systematics of Iridaceae: Evidence from four plastid DNA regions. Am. J. Bot. 88:2074-2087.