Twin-flowered Iris (Iris bicapitata) usually blue-violet but also in yellow, white and lilac - Flower Portraits
Twin-flowered Iris (Iris bicapitata) usually blue-violet but also in yellow, white and lilac, Found above 600m elevation where it is an endemic of the Gargano peninsula and some other parts of Puglia in Italy.

For a long time this species was thought to be Iris lutescens (syn chamaeiris) which instead occurs on the other side of Italy. (Lazio, Toscana) However it is now recognised as botanically different and distinct.

It is a more robust species, with a distinct stem (up to 40 cm in cultivation) bearing two flowers at the head of each stem – hence the specific name. In comparison, Iris lutescens (as well as the other Apulian endemic Iris pseudopumila) bears only one flower, without a stem, (the floral tube acts as a stem).

This species has a pleasant scent, with notes of roses and violets


Also in: Flower Portraits

Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus),
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
Sand Crocus (Romulea bulbocodium)
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus)
Alpine squill (Scilla bifolia)
Apennine Hairy lungwort (Pulmonaria hirta ssp apennina
Green hellebore (Helleborus viridis)
Common dog violet (Viola riviniana) also  known as Wood violet
Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis also H.  triloba and Anemone hepatica)
White butterbur (Petasites albus)
Snakeshead fitillary ( Fritillaria meleagris)
Primrose (Primula veris)
Snakeshead fitillary ( Fritillaria meleagris)
Sicilian iris (Iris pseudopumila)