Iris palaestina; Beauty at Midday

March 10, 2017

Iris palaestina  Carpet of flowers at midday (1)

Photographer: Menashe Davidson
Summary Author: Menashe Davidson

SIris palaestina singel stem (1)hown above is a field of Iris palaestina I was fortunate to observe at Ayalon Canada Park, Israel. On this sunny midwinter day, after a period of winter rains (Mediterranean climate), I walked among the ruins of the Hellenistic period fortress, Eked Antiquities, and then near midday was surprised to stumble upon a carpet of white and yellow flowers. Typically, 1 to 3 flowers are located on a short stem that's about 4 to 8 in (10 to 20 cm) in height, surrounded by a few long and narrow leaves. See inset photo at left. These gorgeous flowers kept their vitality for a short time, just 2 hours, and then wilted. Though no more flowers will appear on a given stem when its flowers have already blossomed, another stem will appear another on day. This bulbous perennial is the earliest flowering plant among the Iridaceae family. Photo taken on February 7, 2017.  

Photo Details: Top - Camera Model: NIKON D7100; Focal Length: 65mm (35mm equivalent: 97mm);
Aperture: ƒ/25.0; Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125); ISO equiv: 320. Inset - same except: Focal Length: 200mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm); Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160).