Iris planifolia, o I. alata
Wild iris
Iridaceae

This elegant spontaneous Iris, with a 60/80 cm.high stem, is rather rare.
In the whole Sinis peninsula I only found them in a stony barren fields near the sea, where they grow by the hundreds. Painting it has been a struggle against the voracious snails which cover the whole stalk and eat up the soft buds.
The plants name comes from Iris, the Greek messanger goddess who, loosening her scarf, formed the rainbow to show the end of the Gods’ wrath against men. That perhaps why Iris means “ good news” in the flowers language. Since old times Irises are grown for their precious essential oil extracted from theis tuber and for their treating qualities.

Watercolour on paper, 2003
size cm 36x46