Iris Flower

The Iris is a flowering plant whose name has been derived from Latin. In Latin, it means rainbow and it refers to a wide variety of colored flowers. There are many varieties of the Iris, to be found in the various regions of the North Temperate Zone. Their habitat is very wide and it can range from grassy slopes to meadows, stream banks to deserts of Europe, The Middle East, North of Africa, Asia and North America.

Iris is a perennial herb, meaning that they live for many years if they are taken care of. They flower in many seasons. In warm climates, perennials are able to grow throughout the year. But when the climate becomes cold, they grow only during the growing season. In dry climates, Irises grow form bulbs but in other climates, they grow from rhizomes. Iris usually has a long erect stem that bears a large number of flowers. The stems may be simple or branched. They can be hollow or solid. These stems have clumps of sword-shaped leaves growing on them.

The Iris flower is fan-shaped and slightly fragrant. Iris flowers usually have 6 petals, three inner petals are called "standards" and the three outer petals are called "falls". The iris flower is highly specialized. The three standards correspond to the petals of a normal flower. They rise above the blossom. Their main aim is to increase the pollinator-attracting power of the plant. Another interesting feature of the Iris flower is that many of the varieties of this flower show the upper surface of the falls having a beard. This fuzz gives pollinators something to hold on to when they enter the blossom in search of nectar.

A number of members of the Iris family are well adapted to the dry kind of climates in California where the days are warm and nights are cool. If planted deep and given enough shade, they grow very well in Florida. The 'Blue-Fresias' grow on short stems, have the typical sword like leaves. These leaves are hairy and plaited. These plants are mostly hybrids and have many colors ranging from violet to red-violet, and are taller and larger than many other species.

Freesias are delicately blossomed Iris flowers. They are deliciously scented too. Originally appearing only in white and yellow, modern hybrids come in a variety of shades like rosy-pink, salmon, lilac and blue-violet. If the temperature in your area does not go below 26 degrees, these plants will grow well. The Sparaxis are other Iris species that are closely related to the Fresias but produce much more vivid blossoms.

Many species of the Iris flowers are so vivid and flamboyant in their colors and petaled glory. They have been used for many years as symbolic flowers in the familiar bouquet. The Iris flower seeks to tell someone that he or she is very special. These flowers do not speak of passionate love. Iris flowers seek to convey that a person is considered very precious. 'You mean so much to me' is a message that is a little removed and a little above passion alone. Faith, hope, wisdom and valor are some other messages that iris flowers seek to convey. The Iris bouquets traditionally convey that the person who receives it is well admired. Iris flowers speak of a gentler yet more profound messages that last a lifetime. Iris flowers are also used to convey compliments, appreciation and admiration. In their vivid colors, the Iris is as much pleasing to the eye as it is to the heart.

Bearded iris flower

white iris flower