Moraea modesta

The three outer tepals of the flower of Moraea modesta dominate the flower’s appearance; everything else in it being small. Similar flower structures occur in other Moraea species, notably M. brevistyla and M. ciliata. The outer tepals of M. modesta are nearly white with deep yellow to orange-brown nectar guides at the tepal base. Their shape is ovate with entire, but sometimes irregularly wavy or scalloped margins. Faint parallel lines are visible on the top of the spreading tepals; the lines being more prominent on the lower surfaces.

The inner tepals, also growing in a whorl of three, are tiny, divided and erect. They may be either purple in colour as in this specimen or whitish (iSpot).