The bud of an iris flower stands like a glittering spear tip flanked by patterned and intensely coloured petals and sepals. The brush-like yellow extensions on the sepals are what give this flower its name, Bearded Iris (Iris germanica).

The bud of an iris flower stands like a glittering spear tip flanked by patterned and intensely coloured petals and sepals. The brush-like yellow extensions on the sepals are what give this flower its name, Bearded Iris (Iris germanica).