Iris

The History of the Iris

Ready for the iris category of Jeopardy? Let’s play!

The iris is the state flower of Tennessee, and boy are they proud of it! Many streets, town centers and even eateries are named after the flower. [2]

Iris is the name of the Greek goddess of rainbows. In ancient times, men would plant irises by the graves of women to call to the goddess and ask her to walk their souls across the “rainbow bridge” – also where that term comes from! The meanings of irises (see section above), became symbolic of the French monarchy in the middle ages, leading to the Fleur-de-lis becoming recognized as the national symbol of France. [3] According to French legend, the above fact was helped by a dream that King Louis the VII had in 1147, in which he was commanded to adopt the blue iris as the national flower. The king was so overwhelmed by the dream that he had the iris carved into his coat of arms; in 1179 he ordered the use of fleur-de-lis clothing in his son Philip’s coronation.

Ancient Egyptian kings were enthralled by the iris and its exotic appeal. Drawings of the flower have been found in many Egyptian palaces, helping make its celebrated connection to royalty extremely powerful. A flower on the Sphinx is thought by many to be an iris; while another appears on a bas-relief from the 18th Egyptian dynasty.

The iris is the birth-month flower for February, appropriately matching the beautiful purple amethyst stone also associated with the month.

Irises have been used for various purposes throughout history: French peasants planted irises on the edges of their thatched roofs to prevent erosion; irises were prescribed by Apothecaries as a remedy to digestive problems; and the root was blended into cough syrups and antitussive teas. Ancient cultures utilized iris oils in their perfumes, furthering the stature of this regal plant.

Examples of iris based perfumes today include: Iris Nobile Acqua di Parma; Iris Ganache Guerlain; and Iris Silver Mist Serge Lutens. Possibly next only to the rose, the iris flower is a favorite subject of great art, appearing in masterpieces by painters such as: Leonardo da Vinci, Cezanne, Renoir, Claude Monet, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.

The Iris genus comprises 200-300 species of flowering plants known, of course, for their stunningly beautiful flowers. There are two Iris varieties: rhizomes (rhizomatous) and bulbous (growing from bulbs). From here, the Iris genus is usually split into subgenii formed from those characteristics, along with the appearance of beards [4] — namely, a fuzzy midsection.

Native growth takes place in virtually all temperate zones, including Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean area.

Petals and sepals have their own special names in the world of iris flowers. The outer three sepals are called falls, while the outer three petals are called standards. They make the flower beautiful and graceful, but also serve a purpose.

Rhizome irises have thickened stems that grow horizontally, either partially underground or completely underground. Three very popular irises from this group are named Bearded, Beardless, and Crested.

Bulbous irises grow from bulbs requiring a period of dormancy after blooming. These are typically smaller than rhizome irises and usually produce smaller blossoms.

Because the iris flower is so well-formed for pollination, the falls act as landing pads for pollinators, creating easy access for bees and hummingbirds alike!

Grown from both seed and root separation, pollination occurs from the irises’ own anthers, or as a result of cross-pollination from another plant. Rhizomatous irises can be reproduced asexually simply by cutting a section from the rhizome.

The yellow iris is used widely in pond purification, as its roots uptake agricultural runoff and therefore improve water quality.

The leaves of the iris flower are typically erect and sword-shaped. The flowers are highly symmetrical, which only adds to their legendary beauty.

With such a large number of species, and such intense interest in just a few, it’s possible that flower lovers know fewer of these stunning flowers than perhaps any other popular group.

Typically, cut irises last 3-6 days, but by using the flower food packet that your florist will include with them, and placing them in a cool location with indirect sunlight, they can last longer. The flower food will provide healthy nutrients that also inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Because of their beautiful stems and sword-like leaves, they often look best in a clear vase.

Ideally, your irises will have been cut after the blossoms formed and started to color, and before the blooms have opened. Your florist will cut them at a 45-degree angle so they can absorb plenty of water.

Your clear vase should be washed with a solution made up of antibacterial soap and warm water. This should remove any potentially harmful bacteria from the vase. Once dried, pour your flower food into the vase. Remove any leaves that fall below the water line and arrange your irises. Show off those stems!

After three days, trim another inch from the stems and replace your flower food. Remember to trim at that 45-degree angle for improved water absorption. This will help prevent a cloudy effect, and/or stagnation, and can extend the life of your flowers.