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Iris
Iris of Costa Rica, Elevation 9000 ft.
Iris of Costa Rica, Elevation 9000 ft.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
L.
Species

See text
For other uses, see Iris. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Monocotyledons or monocots are one of two major groups of Flowering plants (angiosperms that are traditionally recognised the other being Dicotyledons Asparagales is an order of Flowering plants The order must include the family Asparagaceae, but other families included in the order have varied markedly Iridaceae is a family of plants in Order Asparagales, taking its name from the Irises. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for

Iris is a genus of between 200-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers which takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of Light to appear in the Sky when the Sun As well as being the scientific name, Iris is also very widely used as a common name and refers to all Iris species as well as some closely related genera. It is the state flower of Tennessee. This is a list of US state flowers: See also List of US state trees Lists of U Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States.

Contents

Description

The genus is widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone. Their habitats are considerably varied, ranging from cold regions into the grassy slopes, meadowlands, stream banks of Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, Asia and across North America. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East.

They are perennial herbs, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises), or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). A perennial plant or perennial ( Latin per, "through" annus, "year" is a Plant that lives for more than A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like In Botany, a rhizome is a horizontal stem of a Plant that is usually found underground often sending out Roots and Shoots They have long, erect, flowering stems, which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. A stem is one of two main structural axes of a Vascular plant. The rhizomatous species usually have 3-10 basal, sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. The bulbous species have cylindrical basal leaves.

The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical, six-lobed flowers. An inflorescence is a group or cluster of Flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main Branch or a complicated arrangement of branches A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also These grow on a pedicel or lack a footstalk. A pedicel is a stem that attaches single Flowers to the main stem of the Inflorescence. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as falls. A sepal (from Latin separatus "separate" + petalum "petal" is a part of the flower of Angiosperms or flower plants They expand from their narrow base into a broader limb (= expanded portion), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. A petal (from Ancient Greek petalon "leaf" "thin plate" regarded as a highly modified leaf is one member or part of the corolla They are called standards. Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards. The sepals and the petals differ from each other. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary. In the Flowering plants an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or Gynoecium. The styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches (see pollination, below). A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also

The iris flower is of special interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described 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 the perianth for nectar, will first come in contact of perianth, three with the stigmatic stamens in one whorl surface which is borne and an ovary formed of three carpels. Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes ( pollen grains) which produce the male Gametes (sperm cells of The term perianth has two similar but separate meanings in botany In Flowering plants the perianth is the outer sterile whorls of a Flower (see The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorl under side of the stamens, which is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma, while 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, while in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.

Classification and taxonomy

Iris pseudacorus
Iris pseudacorus
Rhizomes of ornamental irises
Rhizomes of ornamental irises
Irises in Cheshire in England, 22 May 2007
Irises in Cheshire in England, 22 May 2007
Irises in Winchester in England, 23 May 2007
Irises in Winchester in England, 23 May 2007
A blue Iris in Sydney, Australia
A blue Iris in Sydney, Australia
A bearded iris cultivarIris germanica
A bearded iris cultivar
Iris germanica
Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum

Up to 300 species have been placed in the genus Iris. Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Blue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Modern classifications, starting with W. R. Dykes' 1913 book, have subdivided them. Dykes referred to the major subgroupings as sections, but later authors have generally called them subgenera, while essentially retaining his groupings. Like some older sources, the influential classification by G. I. Rodionenko removed some groups (particularly the bulbous irises) to separate genera, but even if this is done the genus remains large and several subgenera, sections and/or subsections are recognised within it.

There are six subgenera, of which five are restricted to the Old World, and the sixth (subgenus Limniris) with a Holarctic distribution; the two largest subgenera are further divided into sections. The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century The Holarctic Ecozone refers to the habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world as a whole

Iris subgenus Iris
bearded irises, growing from rhizomes.
Iris subgenus Limniris
beardless irises, growing from rhizomes. Subgenus Limniris is one subgenus of beardless irises which don't have hair on their drooping Sepals also called their fall s
Iris subgenus Xiphium (syn. genus Xiphion), a group of bulbous irises.
Iris subgenus Nepalensis (syn. genus Junopsis); also bulbous.
Iris subgenus Scorpiris (syn. genus Juno); also bulbous.
Iris bucharica flower in a garden
Iris bucharica flower in a garden
Iris subgenus Hermodactyloides (syn. genus Iridodictyum); also bulbous.

Some authors regard the Snake's Head Iris as lying outside genus Iris, and classify it as Hermodactylus tuberosus.

Cultivation

Irises in Warren County, Indiana.
Irises in Warren County, Indiana. Warren County is a county on the western border of the US state of Indiana.

Irises are extensively grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Ornamental plants are typically grown in the flower Garden or as House plants Most commonly they are grown for the display of their Flowers Other common A garden is a planned space usually outdoors set aside for the display cultivation and enjoyment of Plants and other forms of Nature. The most commonly found garden iris is the bearded German Iris and its numerous cultivars. A cultivar is a cultivated Plant that has been selected and given a unique name because of its decorative or useful characteristics it is usually distinct from similar Various wild forms and naturally occurring hybrids of Iris pallida and I. variegata form the basis of most all modern hybrid bearded iris. Median forms of bearded iris [intermediate bearded (IB), miniature tall bearded (MTB), etc] are derived from crosses between tall and dwarf varieties. Other iris types commonly found in garden are I. siberica and its hybrids (Siberian irises) and I. ensata and its hybrids (Japanese irises).

The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate, and have become very popular in gardens. They grow in any good free garden soil, the smaller and more delicate species needing only the aid of turf ingredients, either peat or loam, to keep it light and open in texture. The earliest to bloom are the dwarf forms of Iris pumila, which blossom during March, April and May; and during the latter month and the following one most of the larger growing 'tall bearded' varieties, such as I. germanica, florentina, pallida, variegata, amoena, flavescens, sambucina, neglecta, ruthenica and their modern hybrids.

A true red standard, tall bearded Iris remains an unattained goal of frequent hybridizing and selection. There are species and selections thereof, most notably Iris fulva, which has a relatively pure red color. However, getting this color into a modern Iris breed has proven very difficult, and thus, the vast majority of Irises are in the purple and blue range of the color spectrum.

The section Iris subgen. Iris sect. Oncocyclus contains the cushion or royal irises, a group of plants noted for their large, strongly marked flowers. Between 30 and 60 species are classified in this section, depending on the authority. Compared with other irises the cushion varieties are scantily furnished with narrow sickle shaped leaves and the flowers are usually borne singly on the stalks. The closely allied Iris subgenus Iris sect. Regelia, includes several garden hybrids with species in sect. Oncocyclus, known as "Regelio-cyclus" irises. They are best planted in September or October in warm sunny positions, the rhizomes being lifted the following July after the leaves have withered.

Iris unguicularis (syn. I. stylosa) is a late-winter-flowering species from Algeria, with sky-blue flowers blotched with yellow, produced (in the Northern Hemisphere) from November to March or April. Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's Japanese iris (Hanashobu, Iris ensata var. The term "Japanese iris" encompasses three varieties of irises cultivated in gardens or growing wild in Japan hanashōbu, kakitsubata and ensata, syn. I. ensata var. hortensis、I. kaempferi) is extensively cultivated in Japanese gardens.

Many other smaller species of bulbous iris, being liable to perish from excess of moisture, should have a well-drained bed of good but porous soil made up for them, in some sunny spot, and in winter should be protected by a covering of half-decayed leaves or fresh coco-fibre refuse. To this set belong I. milifolia, I. junonia, I. danfordiae, I. reichenbachii and others which flower as early as February and March.

The cushion irises are somewhat fastidious growers, and to be successful with them they must be planted rather shallow in very gritty well-drained soil. They should not be disturbed in the autumn, and after the leaves have withered the roots should be protected from heavy rains until growth starts again naturally.


Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in New Jersey is a living iris museum with over 10,000 plants. Presby Memorial Iris Gardens (65 acres is a nonprofit volunteer-run living museum specializing in iris flowers located 474 Upper Mountain Avenue Montclair in New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.

Uses

Rhizomes of the bearded iris are the source of orris root and are used in perfume, and medicine, though more common in ancient times than today. In Botany, a rhizome is a horizontal stem of a Plant that is usually found underground often sending out Roots and Shoots Orris root is the root of some species of iris, grown principally in southern Europe Iris germanica, Iris florentina, and Iris pallida Perfume is a mixture of fragrant Essential oils and Aroma compounds Fixatives and Solvents used to give the human body animals objects and living Today Iris essential oil (absolute) from flowers are sometimes used in Aromatherapy as sedative medicines. An essential oil is a concentrated Hydrophobic Liquid containing volatile Aroma compounds from Plants They are also known as volatile Similar to Essential oils absolutes are concentrated highly- aromatic, oily mixtures extracted from plants A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also Aromatherapy is a form of Alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials known as Essential oils (EOs and other aromatic compounds from plants for A sedative, or more specifically a sedative-hypnotic, is a substance that depresses the Central nervous system (CNS resulting in calmness relaxation sleepiness Iris pseudoacorus is also used in water purification. Water purification is the process of removing contaminants and other harmful microorganisms from a raw water source The dried rhizomes are also given whole to babies to help in teething. Magellan Gin uses iris root and flower, for flavor and color. [1]

Iris rhizomes contain terpenes, organic acids (miristic acid, undecilene acid, tridecilic acid), glycosides, and iridin, and the leaves contain ascorbic acid. Terpenes are a large and varied class of Hydrocarbons, produced primarily by a wide variety of plants particularly Conifers though also by some insects such An organic acid is an Organic compound with Acidic properties This article deals with the molecular aspects of ascorbic acid

Perfumery

Iris rhizomes are harvested, dried, and aged for up to 5 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. Redox (shorthand for reduction-oxidation reaction describes all Chemical reactions in which atoms have their Oxidation number ( Oxidation state 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. Distillation is a method of separating Mixtures based on differences in their volatilities in a boiling liquid mixture

Art

The artist George Gessert has specialised in breeding irises. George Gessert is one of the best-known artists in the contemporary art movement known as Bio-art a/k/a BioArt. [2]

The artist Vincent van Gogh painted several famous pictures of irises. [3]

The artist Philip Hermogenes Calderon painted an iris in Broken Vows (1856). Philip Hermogenes Calderon ( May 3, 1833 – April 30, 1898) was a British painter of French birth (mother and Spanish (father ancestry who He followed the principles of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (also known as the Pre-Raphaelites) was a group of English painters Poets, and critics founded in 1848 by An ancient belief is that the iris serves as a warning to be heeded, as it was named for the messenger of Olympus. It also conveys images of lost love and silent grief, for young girls were led into the afterlife by Iris. Broken Vows was accompanied with poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when it was first exhibited. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27 1807 &ndash March 24 1882 was an American educator and Poet whose works include " Paul Revere's Ride "

Water purification

Further information: Treatment_pond
Further information: Organisms_used_in_water_purification
A flowering Iris pseudoacorus
A flowering Iris pseudoacorus

In water purification, Iris pseudoacorus is used. A treatment pond treats water fouled by anaerobic Bacteria. It is largely used by tree nurseries, Dairy farms and other agricultural companies At present several Species of water-purifying Plants, Bacteria, and Fish are selected for use in Water purification. The roots are usually planted in a substrate (eg lava-stone) in a reedbed-setup). Reed beds are a natural habitat found in Floodplains waterlogged depressions and estuaries. The roots then filter the water by consuming nutrients within the water.

Symbolism

The fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, descends from the white iris which is native to Florence, Italy and which grew even in its city walls. The fleur-de-lys (or fleur-de-lis, plural fleurs-de-lis ˌfləː(rdəˈliː (ˌfləː(rdəˈlɪs in Quebec) translated from French as "lily This white iris, displayed against a red background, became the symbol of Florence until the Medici family, to signal a change in political power, reversed the colors making the white one red and setting in motion a centuries-long breeding program to hybridize a red iris. Catherine de Medici carried this symbol of Florence to Paris when she married the king of France where this most famous of irises acquired its moniker, fleur-de-lis. 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. Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans Louisiana. The iris has been associated with France as Louis VII adopted it as a symbol in the 12th Century. Louis VII may refer to Louis VII of France "the Younger" (1120–1180 Furthermore, it is also the almost universal symbol of Scouting. Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide Youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical mental and spiritual In addition, it is one of the symbols adopted by the sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Kappa Kappa Gamma ( ΚΚΓ) is a college women's fraternity, founded at Monmouth College, Illinois.

Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region, featuring the iris.
Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region, featuring the iris.

The iris is the symbol of Brussels, since historically, the important Saint Gaugericus Island was carpeted in them. Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is Saint Gaugericus Island (île Saint-Géry Sint-Gorikseiland was the largest Island in the Senne ( Zenne) River in Brussels, [1] The iris is now the sole feature on the flag of the Brussels-Capital Region.

See also

References

  1. ^ Brussels Town Hall. These Flowers come into Bloom in early spring: Anemone ranunculoides Bloodroot Dewberry These flowers come into Bloom in late spring: Anemone ranunculoides Bloodroot Common Bluebell These Flowers come into Bloom in early Summer: Helianthemum apenninum Iris Kalmia latifolia The Belgian Monarchy. Retrieved on November 3, 2007. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

External links

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