Annalia S.'s photos with the keyword: iris

An intimate look inside a backlit iris in my garden, the way a pollinator would see it as it comes in for the landing. A small miracle of natural "architecture", the iris flower starts out as a compact lance and slowly unfurls into a complex three-pronged pavilion, with entrance ways lined with a strip of pollen-bearing stamens and equipped with an upper lip that ensures the pollinating insects must rub on the stamen to gain entry to the nectar chamber. This delicate inner structure is protected by outer petals that curl upwards and towards each other to form a sort of graceful "roof". No architect could wish for a more elegant yet effective design! P.S. I added a PIP to show the complete structure of the flower. To the right of the full blown flower, a second one was still tightly furled into a lance-like shape (it is already half unfurled today, less than two days later).

Light and shadow on the iris leaves. Can you pick the "odd man" out? I left it in the frame because I liked the notion that Nature can never be made to completely fit our standards.:) Have a good Sunday, everyone!

The iris is a little “architectural” marvel. From a furled-up lance, its petals unfold to form a complex structure that is clearly designed to take the best advantage of pollinators’ visits. Three of the petals arch upwards and overlap to form a canopy that protects the core of the flower, while the other three uncurl downwards like stuck-out tongues, revealing a delicate brush laden with pollen. Finally, inside, three more petals, smaller and slightly up-curled, enclose and protect the inner chamber, the source of the nectar. A visiting pollinator is therefore obliged to squeeze its way over the pollen brush, in order to reach the nectar inside, while we get to enjoy one of the most interesting and oddly shaped flowers in nature. :)