Iris reticulata

This petite iris blooms in march, well before most popular spring flowers. It’s purply blue petals are a welcome sight to bees looking for sustenance after overwintering. Dissections are as follows: a. Seed leaf, b.Bulblet, c.Ovary (transverse section), d.Style, e.Stigma, f. Anther, g.Filament, h.Outer tepal “falls,” i. Inner tepal “standard,” j.Stamen, k.Leaf (transverse section),, l.Ovary (longitudinal section) m. Peduncle (longitudinal section)