Iris Monocotyledons

Iris (Monocotyledons). A genus of Monocotyledons, giving its name to the order Iridaoeae. They are perennials i having generally fleshy rhizomes, equitant sword-shaped leaves, and showy flowers presenting a wide range of colours and markings, which render them great favourites in gardens. They have a three-chambered inferior ovary with central placentation and numerous ovules; a perianth of six segments united below, the three outer reflexed and often furnished with a median beard-like outgrowth, the three inner erect, and often smaller; three epiphyllous extrorse stamens, their anthers over the beards; and the three carpels superposed (q.v.) upon them. The columnar style divides into three spreading petaloid segments, each terminating in two triangular points, below which, and just above the anther, is the crescentic stigma. The species of the genus are natives of the north temperate zone, two being British. The rhizome of I. fiorentina has the odour of violets, and is used under the name of Orris-root in perfumery. It is imported from Leghorn, Trieste, and Mogador. The Florentine lily and the French fleur de lis are both taken from the iris.