Ferraria crispa - Black Flag

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asparagales - Family: Iridaceae

This is probably one of the most exotic-looking flowers we have ever seen - similar in that respect to the Passion Flowers we have growing in our garden at home. Finding Ferraria crispa growing on the edge of some abandoned farmland in the Algarve was quite a surprise.

Distribution

Ferraria crispa or Black Flag, a member of the Iris family, is a native plant of South Africa which has become naturalised throughout the Mediterranean region.

Habitat

Black Flag can be found on abandoned farmland, and on other waste ground

Blooming times

Ferraria crispa produces flowers in February and March. The distinctive leaves remain intact throughout the year but the flowers are very short-lived.

The specimens shown above were photographed in the Algarve in Portugal in March.