Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima)

This lovely looking flower is common in woods, scrub and hedgerows, especially in shaded areas near the coast.

The flower itself is also known as the Roast Beef Plant as, when crushed, it gives off the scent of fresh meat. It is thought the smell attracts flies and the flies help with the pollination process.

In the autumn these flower heads will have three distinctive green pods, each with a line of bright red berries in.

You win both ways with stinking iris, an attractive flower and attractive seed head.