Iris
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Botanical Name |
Iris germanica |
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Other Names |
Purple flag |
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Description |
Perennial up to 1.2m/4ft. Creeping rhizome Leaves: long, narrow Flowers violet on long leafless stalks May-June |
|
Cultivation |
Lime rich soil, well drained |
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Other Uses |
Toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume |
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Other Notes |
Three inner petals of flower represent faith, wisdom and valour It is named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow. She guided the souls of women to their final resting place, therefore the Greeks use to place it on to graves Orris root powder comes from the Iris plant (dried root) In Spain the white varieties are a symbol of the immaculate conception It is used as a model for the Fleur de Lys It is said Louis VII of France dreamed of Irises before setting out on the crusades of 1137. He saw the dream was a good omen and adopted them as a symbol Edward III popularised it England although it was dropped from the National Standard at the onset of the Napoleonic wars in the nineteenth century |