Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) Growing at the edge of small highland pond. SCO 9098.
t is an herbaceous flowering perennial plant, growing to 100–150 centimetres (39–59 in) (or a rare 2 metres (6 ft 7 in)) tall, with erect leaves up to 90 centimetres (35 in) long and 3 centimetres ( in) broad. The flowers are bright yellow, 7–10 centimetres (– in) across, with the typical iris form. The fruit is a dry capsule 4–7 centimetres (– in) long, containing numerous pale brown seeds. I. pseudacorus grows best in very wet conditions, and is often common in wetlands, where it tolerates submersion, low pH, and anoxic soils. The plant spreads quickly, by both rhizome and water-dispersed seed. It fills a similar niche to that of Typha and often grows with it, though usually in shallower water. While it is primarily an aquatic plant, the rhizomes can survive prolonged dry conditions. Large Iris. pseudacorus stands in western Scotland form a very important feeding and breeding habitat for the endangered corn from June to August. Conditions must be open and unshaded if plants are to successfully flower and set seed. Yellow Iris is one of the few aquatic plants to have evolved complex adaptations to insect yellow tepals provide a platform for insects to land on. The dark yellow patch in the centre, surrounded by a zigzag line acts as a guide directing the insect towards the nectar source, which is inside the central flower tube. Any pollen already on the insect is brushed off onto the flower's stigma and new pollen may be deposited on the insect as it searches for the nectar. Flowers are usually pollinated by long-tongued insects such as bumble bees.
Size: 4034px × 6062px
Location: Revack, Grantown on spey, Inverness-shire. Highland Region. Scotland. UK.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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