Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Iridoideae
Tribe: Irideae

Iris is a genus of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. And it refers to all Iris species, though some plants called thus belong to other closely related genera. Iris is a popular garden flower in the United States. This genus is widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone. Their habitats are considerably varied, ranging from cold and montane regions to the grassy slopes, meadowlands and riverbanks of Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, Asia and across North America.

Irises are perennial herbs, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises), or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). Iris have long, erect flowering stems, which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. Their rhizomatous species usually have 3–10 basal, sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves. The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. These grow on a pedicel or lack a footstalk. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls". They expand from their narrow base, which in some of the rhizomatous irises has a "beard" (a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline), into a broader expanded portion "limb", often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards". They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary. Their styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in pollination.

The iris flower is of special 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. Their fruit is a capsule which opens up in three parts to reveal the numerous seeds within.

Iris grows well in the ground or in pots. It is hardy in zone 10 and elsewhere should be grown as a houseplant or patio plant. Bright filtered light is prefered, but it will also grow in shade. It is a Great houseplant. The plant you will receive are growing in 2 1/2" plastic pot. They are 8 inches tall and well rooted.