Iris atrofusca

Iris atrofusca in Goral Hills, northern Negev, Israel.

Iris atrofusca and the other dark oncocyclus irises are visited by solitary male bees that stay in the flower throughout the night. The flower is actually a bee hotel. The dark flower is heated earlier in the morning allowing the bees to be active earlier than bees that sleep in the ground.

Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir (March 22, 2007)
Head Scientist
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Giv'at-Ram, 91904
Jerusalem, Israel

Tel. +972-52-4472401, Fax. +972-3-5182842

Please visit our website www.botanic.co.il <http://www.botanic.co.il>

Amikam Shoob