Gilboa iris

A huge, purple-veined iris from around the village of Faqqua is regarded as the national flower of Palestine.

The Faqqua iris belongs to the Oncocyclus section of irises, famous for their exceptionally large, showy flowers. Its petals are densely covered with dark purple veins on a pale background, and there is a dark patch in the centre of the outer petals. It flowers briefly, in March and April, on dry, stony slopes and in grassy steppe. It grows in a very small area and is considered an endangered species.

Significance in the country

The Faqqua iris is regarded as the national flower of Palestine, and its name comes from a village near Jenin. In spring the flowering irises draw visitors from all over the West Bank.

Where it grows

Grows only in the northern West Bank, on the hills around the village of Faqqua near Jenin and on the neighbouring slopes of the Gilboa massif.

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