How to identify Irises (Iris)

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How to identify Irises (Iris)

Irises exhibits green, sword-like foliage with basal leaves that often present in a fan-shaped arrangement. These leaves are typically flat and grow in two ranks. Its flowering is particularly notable, featuring orchid-like blooms boasting a color spectrum that can vary widely. Each flower comprises six petal-like parts; of these, three stand erect and are referred to as 'standards,' while the other three, named 'falls,' curve downwards. The resulting fruit is a brown capsule. With such diverse flowering, irises can range in size from small to large, making it a visually striking addition to many garden aesthetics.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Irises

Sword-like green leaves in fan-shaped arrangement with flat two-ranked foliage.

Orchid-like blooms with diverse colors; six-part flowers with erect 'standards' and curved 'falls'.

Hardy brown capsule fruit, 2 inches (5 cm) long, splits to release seeds.

Linear to sword-shaped leaves, 6 inches to 2 feet (15 cm to 60 cm) long, forming clumps.

Tubular perianth flowers atop naked stem, with pendant 'falls' and erect 'standards'.

Detailed Traits of Irises

Leaf Features

The leaves of irises are green to bluish-green, featuring parallel veins. They range from 6 inches to 2 feet (15 cm to 60 cm) in length and form clumps. The strap-like leaves are overlapping at the base and oriented in a single plane. Typically 2-ranked, the leaves are linear to sword-shaped, either flat or tetragonal. The basal leaves often appear in fans, while cauline leaves can be sheathing or grouped in an apical tuft.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Irises features one to several flowers atop a naked stem arranged in bracteate heads. Each flower presents a tubular perianth with six segmented parts. The three pendant 'falls' are narrowed at the base into a shaft, spreading to deflexed above, often displaying a beard, colored trichomes, or crest, occasionally marked with a basal medial color patch. The three inner erect 'standards' vary in color and are clawed and reduced. Each flower has three stamens and petaloid styles overarching the 'falls'.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of irises is a hardy capsule, traditionally brown in coloration. It boasts an elongated oval shape, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. The textured surface of the capsule can split upon maturity to release numerous seeds. These key characteristics are essential for recognizing the fruit of irises, making it distinguishable even by those with a burgeoning interest in botany.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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