Iris platyptera B. Mathew & Wendelbo

A plant of dry stony slopes, 700-1800 m (B. Mathew, 1997). Not an attractive species from ornamental point of view; apparently no more under cultivation in U.K.

Roots short and thick. Bulb tunics brown forming a long neck. Leaves (3-) 4-6, well developed at flowering time, lower leaves up to 18 cm long, 1-3 cm broad, falcate, glabrous, margin smooth, distinctly white. Peduncle (stem) reduced, hidden by leaves, even at the fruiting stage, with 2-3 flowers. Bract and bracteole 5-6.5 cm long, membranous. Perianth 4-5 cm in diameter, pale, dirty purplish or brownish violet, crest yellow; falls c. 4 cm long, claw c. 2.8 cm long. Standards 8-12 mm long, reflexed; hypanthial tube c. 4 cm long. Filaments c. 1.2 cm long, anthers c. 1.4 cm long. Style branches c. 4 cm long, c. 1.0 cm broad, lobes c. 1.2 cm long. Capsule c. 4.0 cm long, ellipsoid. Seeds c. 5 mm long, reticulately sculptured, brown, arillate.

Distribution: E. Afghanistan, Pakistan (N.W.F.P.).

Fl. Per.: February-April.

Iris stocksii var. purpurea Baker ex Boiss., Fl. Or. 5: 123. 1882.