I walk by a house with an iris flag hanging out front. It is a lovely flower, almost mimicking a ballet dancer’s elegance and poise. I also love the color of a traditional iris, a royal color for a queenly flower. My mother’s middle name was Iris. She actually had three first names — Esther Jean Iris; she preferred to be called Jean. The mean boys in her school transformed her name into something ugly — Jean Arse, slurred together but no mistaking the British equivalent of the derrière. Perhaps because my mother didn’t like the name Iris, my maternal grandmother who lived next door insisted on filling her flower beds with irises. They were beautiful to behold. Let’s find out more about them.
According to Wikipedia, iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Some authors state that the name refers to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is “flags,” while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as “junos,” particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.
The often-segregated, monotypic genera Belamcanda or blackberry lily, Hermodactylus or snake's head iris and Pardanthopsis or vesper iris are currently included in Iris.
Three Iris varieties are used in the Iris flower data set outlined by Ronald Fisher in his 1936 paper “The use of multiple measurements in taxonomic problems” as an example of linear discriminant analysis.
Description
Irises are perennial plants, growing from creeping rhizomes — rhizomatous irises — or in drier climates from bulbs or bulbous irises. They have long, erect flowering stems which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3–10 basal sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves.
Flower
The inflorescences are in the shape of a fan and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. These grow on a pedicel or peduncle. The three sepals, which are usually spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls." They expand from their narrow base (the "claw" or "haft") into a broader expanded portion ("limb" or "blade") and can be adorned with veining, lines or dots. In the center of the blade, some of the rhizomatous irises have a "beard" — a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline — which are the plant's filaments.
The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards." Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards, but generally limb and standards differ markedly in appearance. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary, known as an epigynous or inferior ovary. The styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in pollination.
The iris flower is of interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing for nectar, will first come into contact with the perianth — non-reproductive part of the flower and structure that forms an envelope surrounding the sexual organs, consisting of the calyx or sepals and the corolla or petals — then with the stigmatic stamens in one whorled surface which is borne on an ovary formed of three carpels, parts of a flower that produce ovules and, ultimately, develop into the fruit and seeds. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorled underside of the stamens is beneath the overarching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.
The iris fruit is a capsule which opens up in three parts to reveal the numerous seeds within. In some species, the seeds bear an aril, a specialized outgrowth from a seed that partly or completely covers the seed.
Taxonomy – subgenera
Iris
Subgenus Iris is one subgenus of Iris. The genus was originally classified by Carl Linnaeus, but then further organized by Brian Mathew between 1981 and 1987. It has been divided into six sections — bearded irises or pogon irises, Psammiris, Oncocyclus, Regelia, Hexapogon and Pseudoregelia. Sections Oncocyclus and Regelia are also called aril irises.
One of the bearded irises is iris pumila, sometimes known as pygmy iris or dwarf iris. It probably originated as a natural hybrid between Iris pseudopumila Boissier & Heldreich and I. attica Tineo. It ranges from Austria through eastern Europe and the Balkans, in Eurasian steppe in Ukraine, southern Russia into southern Siberia and northern Kazhakstan, and the Caucasus into Turkey.
Limniris
Subgenus Limniris is one subgenus of beardless irises, which don't have hair on their drooping sepals, also called their falls.
Limniris is derived from the Latin for marsh or living-in-lakes iris, or pond iris. This refers to the fact that most species can be grown in moist habitats for part of the year.
It was originally described by Tausch in “Deutsche Botaniker” in 1841.
It was divided into sections, Limniris which is further divided down to about 16 series and Lophiris, also known as Evansias or crested iris. It has 45 species, which are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere.
One of the series is foetidissima. Iris foetidissima, the stinking iris gladdon, Gladwin iris, roast-beef plant or stinking gladwin is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae, found in open woodland, hedgebanks and on sea-cliffs.
Its natural range is Western Europe, including England south of Durham and also Ireland, and from France south and east to North Africa, Italy and Greece.
It is known as "stinking" because some people find the smell of its leaves unpleasant when crushed or bruised, an odor that has been described as "beefy." It's common names of gladdon and gladwyn or gladwin are in reference to an old word for a sword — Latin “gladius” — due to the shape of the irises leaves.
This plant is cultivated in gardens in the temperate zones. Both the species and its cultivar Variegata have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Xiphium
Subgenus Xiphium is a subgenus of Iris. If considered a separate genus from Iris, it is known as genus Xiphion.
The Latin specific epithet Xiphium refers to the Greek word for sword “xiphos.”
All species in this subgenus are true bulbs, and are native to southwest Europe — southern Spain Portugal and southern France — and northern Africa.
Mainly known for the garden cultivars known as Dutch iris, Spanish iris and English Iris. They generally flower between early to mid-summer and each stem produces between 1-3 flowers. Most bulbs should be planted in late autumn, 10 cm deep and between 5–10 cm apart.
One of the sections is boissieri. Iris boissieri — also known as the yellowbeard iris — is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Xiphium. It is from Europe, mainly Spain and Portugal. It has blue-purple or deep purple flowers with a yellow beard.
Scorpiris
Iris subg. Scorpiris, commonly called Juno, is a subgenus of Iris, representing the smooth-bulbed bulbous irises. For a while it was an independent genus Juno Tratt in some classifications.
There are around 60 different species of Juno irises, making it the largest group of bulbous irises. They generally have thick fleshy storage roots — between a few and to several — under a fleshy-like bulb. Most are native to the Middle East and Central Asia, excluding China. There is a single Mediterranean species, Iris planifolia.
All the species are dormant in summer and then grow leaves in mid-winter or early spring.
Many of the bulbs produce scented flowers. Most bulbs are not frost-hardy and are best grown in a bulb frame or alpine house.
Rosenbachiana is one of the species of subgenus Scorpiris. Iris rosenbachiana, the spinster iris, is a species in the genus Iris; it is also in the subgenus Scorpiris. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia, within Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It has long mid-green leaves, short flower stem and sweet-scented flowers in early spring in shades of purple.
Hermodactyloides
The subgenus Hermodactyloides of Iris includes all reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises. It was formerly named as a genus, Iridodictyum by Rodionenko in 1961, but it was not widely accepted and most botanists preferred “Hermodactyloides.”
Édouard Spach named the genus in 1846. The word “Hermodactyloides” comes from “Hermes,” a Greek god, and “daktylos” - finger. The name for the subgenus is very similar to Hermodactylus which was originally a separate genus to irises, but in 2001 was reclassified to be within the Hermodactyloides subgenus.
Most species are native to central Europe and central Asia. They mostly have one or two long leaves and flower in early spring.
Danfordiae is a species in the subgenus. Iris danfordiae, the dwarf iris or Danford iris, is a bulbous perennial plant in the genus Iris; it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is from Turkey in Asia. It has two gray-green or bluish green, thick leaves, short slender stem holding a scented flower, in shades of yellow. They are spotted olive-green or green and have a deep yellow or orange crest.
Cultivation
Iris is extensively grown as ornamental plant in home and botanical gardens. Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair, New Jersey, for example, is a living iris museum with over 10,000 plants, while in Europe the most famous iris garden is arguably the Giardino dell’Iris in Florence, Italy which every year hosts a well-attended iris breeders' competition. Irises — especially the multitude of bearded types — feature regularly in shows such as the Chelsea Flower Show.
For garden cultivation, iris classification differs from taxonomic classification. Garden irises are classed as either bulb iris or rhizome iris, called rhizomatous, with many further subdivisions. Due to a wide variety of geographic origins — and thus great genetic diversity — cultivation needs of irises vary greatly.
Irises grow well in most any garden soil types providing they are well-drained. The earliest to bloom are species like I. junonia and I. reichenbachii which flower as early as February and March in the Northern Hemisphere, followed by the dwarf forms of I. pumila, and then by most of the tall bearded varieties, such as the German iris and its variety florentina, sweet iris, Hungarian iris, lemon-yellow iris or I. flavescens, I. sambucina, I. amoena, and their natural and horticultural hybrids such as those described under names like I. neglecta or I. squalens and best united under I. x lurida.
The iris is promoted in the United Kingdom by the British Iris Society. The national collection of Arthur Bliss irises is held by Anne Milner in Gloucestershire.
Uses
Rhizomes of the German Iris I. germanica and Sweet Iris I. pallida are traded as orris root and are used in perfume and medicine, though more common in ancient times than today. Today Iris essential oil — absolute — from flowers are sometimes used in aromatherapy as sedative medicines. The dried rhizomes are also given whole to babies to help in teething. Gin brands such as Bombay Sapphire and Magellan Gin use orris root and sometimes iris flowers for flavor and color.
For orris root production, iris rhizomes are harvested, dried and aged for up to five years. In this time, the fats and oils inside the roots undergo degradation and oxidation, which produces many fragrant compounds that are valuable in perfumery. The scent is said to be similar to violets. The aged rhizomes are steam-distilled which produces a thick oily compound, known in the perfume industry as "iris butter" or orris oil.
Iris rhizomes also contain notable amounts of terpenes and organic acids such as ascorbic acid, myristic acid, tridecylenic acid and undecylenic acid. Iris rhizomes can be toxic. Larger blue flag or I. versicolor and other species often grown in gardens and widely hybridized contain elevated amounts of the toxic glycoside iridin. These rhizomes can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or skin irritation, but poisonings are not normally fatal. Irises should only be used medicinally under professional guidance.
In culture
The Iris is one of the flowers listed as birth flower for February. In Christianity, the iris represents Our Lady of Sorrows as its sharp leaves are like swords.
The Iris croatica is the unofficial national flower of Croatia. Iris nigricans, the black iris, is the national flower of Jordan. Iris bismarckiana, the Nazareth iris, is the symbol of the city of Upper Nazareth.
In 1998, Iris lacustris, the dwarf lake iris, was designated the state wildflower of Michigan, where the vast majority of populations exist.
In 1990, the Louisiana iris was voted the state wildflower of Louisiana, though the state flower is the magnolia blossom.
In Iran and Kashmir, Iris kashmiriana and Iris germanica are most commonly grown on Muslim grave yards.
An iris — species unspecified — is one of the state flowers of Tennessee. It is generally accepted that the species Iris versicolor, the purple iris, is the state flower alongside the wild-growing purple passionflower, the state's other floral emblem. Greenevile, Tennessee, is home to the annual Iris Festival celebrating the iris, local customs and culture. The species Iris versicolor is also the provincial flower of Quebec, having replaced the Madonna lily which is not native to the province, and it is the official flower of Kappa Pi international honorary art fraternity.
“Irises” is one of several paintings of irises by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, and one of a series of paintings he made at the Saint Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in the last year before his death in 1890.
Van Gogh started painting”irises” within a week of entering the asylum, in May 1889, working from nature in the hospital garden. There is a lack of the high tension which is seen in his later works. He called painting "the lightning conductor for my illness" because he felt that he could keep himself from going insane by continuing to paint.
The painting was probably influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints like many of his works and those by other artists of the time. The similarities occur with strong outlines, unusual angles, including close-up views, and also flattish local color — not modeled according to the fall of light. The painting is full of softness and lightness. “Irises” is full of life without tragedy.
He considered this painting a study which is probably why there are no known drawings for it, although Theo, Van Gogh's brother, thought better of it and quickly submitted it to the annual exhibition of the Société des Artistes Indépendants in September 1889, together with “Starry Night Over the Rhone.” He wrote to Vincent of the exhibition: "[It] strikes the eye from afar. The “Irises” are a beautiful study full of air and life." The painting is one of his most renowned works.
The fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, first occurs in its modern use as the emblem of the House of Capet. The fleur-de-lis has been associated with France since Louis VII adopted it as a symbol in the 12th century. The yellow fleur-de-lis reflects the yellow iris common in Western Europe. Contemporary uses can be seen in the Quebec flag and the logo of the New Orleans Saints professional football team and on the flag of Saint Louis, Missouri.
Greek mythology
According to Hesiod's “Theogony,” Iris is the daughter of Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra and the sister of the Harpies: Aello and Ocypete. During the Titanomachy, Iris was the messenger of the Olympian gods while her twin sister Arke betrayed the Olympians and became the messenger of the Titans.
In Greek mythology, the Titanomachy was a 10-year series of battles fought in Thessaly, consisting of most of the Titans (an older generation of gods, based on Mount Othrys) fighting against the Olympians (the younger generation, who would come to reign on Mount Olympus) and their allies. This event is also known as the War of the Titans, Battle of the Titans, Battle of the Gods, or just the Titan War. The war was fought to decide which generation of gods would have dominion over the universe; it ended in victory for the Olympian gods.
Iris is the goddess of the rainbow. She also serves nectar to the goddesses and gods to drink. Zephyrus, who is the god of the west wind is her consort. Their son is Pothos. According to the “Dionysiaca” of Nonnos, her brother is Hydaspes (book XXVI, lines 355-365).
She is also known as one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky. She links the gods to humanity. She travels with the speed of wind from one end of the world to the other and into the depths of the sea and the underworld.
Iris had numerous poetic titles and epithets, including chrysopteros or "golden-winged", podas ōkea or "swift footed," podēnemos ōkea or "wind-swift footed", roscida or "dewy," Thaumantias or "Daughter of Thaumas, Wondrous One" and aellopus or "storm-footed, storm-swift.” She also watered the clouds with her pitcher, obtaining the water from the sea.
2001 film “Iris”
“Iris” is a 2001 biographical drama film about novelist Iris Murdoch and her relationship with her husband John Bayley. Directed by Richard Eyre from a screenplay he co-wrote with Charles Wood, the film is based on Bayley's 1999 memoir “Elegy for Iris.” Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent portray Murdoch and Bayley during the later stages of their marriage, while Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville appear as the couple in their younger years. The film contrasts the start of their relationship, when Murdoch was an outgoing, dominant individual compared to the timid and scholarly Bayley, and their later life, when Murdoch was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and was tended to by a frustrated Bayley in their North Oxford home in Charlbury Road. The beach scenes were filmed at Southwold in Suffolk, one of Murdoch's favorite haunts.
The film had its world premiere on December 14, 2001 and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2002, and the United States on March 29, 2002. It grossed $16.2 million on a $5.5 million budget and received positive reviews, with praise for the performances. For his role as Bayley, Broadbent won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. The film also picked up nominations for Dench as Best Actress and Winslet for Best Supporting Actress.
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