| Hermodactylus | |
|---|---|
| Hermodactylus tuberosus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Subfamily: | Iridoideae |
| Tribe: | Irideae |
| Genus: | Hermodactylus Mill.[1] |
| Type species | |
| Hermodactylus tuberosus Mill.[2] Salisb. |
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| Species | |
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See text. |
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Hermodactylus is a genus of non-rhizomatous plants of the family Iridaceae, consisting of a single species, Hermodactylus tuberosus. Common names include Snake's-head , Widow Iris, Black Iris, or Velvet Flower-de-Luce.
The genus name is derived from the Greek words meaning "Hermes' Finger" in reference to the knarled finger-like appearance of the tuberous bulb. Hermes was the messenger of the Gods in Greek Mythology.
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Native of the Mediterranean region, it is found in the northern Mediterranean littoral and western Europe. [3]
Grown from tuberous bulbs planted in the autumn. Hermodactylus grows best in full sun to partial shade, and requires well drained soil. In can naturalise in grassy areas bit grows well in rock gardens or containers. [4] It is a common ornamental garden plant, flowering in early spring.
After being split off from the genus Iris by the nineteenth century, as a separate genus, [5] Hermodactylus has most recently been returned to the genus Iris, [6] [7] following molecular studies at Kew [8] Hence its type genus is more properly described by its original name Iris tuberosa L., although still widely described as Hermodactylus tuberosus. According to the proposed molecular classification of iris of Tillie, Chase and Hall [8] this species is now best seen as a member of the subgenus Hermodactyloides, the reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises.
While six species have been described [9] [10] (see below) these are more properly considered variants of Iris tuberosa.
The following are considered as Iris tuberosa var. tuberosa:
while the remainder are allocated to Iris tuberosa var. longifolia