The Iris’s Symbolic Meaning
Iris is the scientific name for this flower, so there is no complicated Latin to remember here! Many authors believe that it is the iris’s wide array of colors that earned it the same name as the Greek goddess of the rainbow. In Greek, the word ‘iris’ actually means rainbow.
The iris’s beauty also made it a popular symbol of royalty, including the Bourbon Kings of France. What we know as the “fleur de lis” is the stylized version of an iris that appeared on many royal flags, fashion, and in architecture. The fleur de lis consists of a central petal standing upright, flanked by two draped petals forming the shape of an iris. The fleur de lis symbol is used in Catholicism, on Quebec’s flag, and on the New Orleans Saints’ football helmets, just to name a few.
Iris is also used as a first name. Famous people with this name include:
- Iris Adrian (1912–1994), American actress
- Iris Davis (born 1950), American track and field sprinter
- Iris Apfel (born 1921), American fashion icon
- Iris Faircloth Blitch (1912–1993), United States Representative from Georgia
- Iris Gower (born 1939), Welsh novelist
Irises in Their Natural Habitat
It is no wonder that many institutions have adopted irises as their symbols because they are native to the entire northern hemisphere--that’s half of the world! The plants grow from a thick, bulbous root called a rhizome. Iris rhizomes grow just beneath the surface, or can be partially exposed. They grow in clumps and multiply horizontally. Blade-like leaves and hollow stems will grow from the rhizomes. Atop each stem is a 6-petaled, fan shaped flower. The most common variety is the bearded iris, which gets its name from its ruffled and showy petals. But there are over 300 other varieties of irises including:
- Dutch Iris
- Japanese Iris
- Louisiana Iris
- Siberian Iris
- Wild Iris
Irises are also clever pollinators. They rely on flying insects for pollination, and their open blooms act as attractive landing pads for the bugs. The irises are designed so that the insects only encounter the pollen when backing out of the flower, and not when entering. That ensures that no precious pollen is wiped off on the same flower, and all of it is carried to the next flower where it will be used in reproduction. Irises make their homes on dry, cool, and rocky areas, grassy slopes, meadows, bogs, and along riverbanks.
Useful Irises
Irises’ beauty have made them the stars of many gardening exhibits; New Jersey is home to the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens and tourists flock to Florence, Italy’s Giardino dell’Iris. The ‘rainbow’ flowers are also featured in the Chelsea Flower Show each year.
But Irises are not only known for their looks. They were also used in the past for medicinal purposes to treat skin infections, syphilis, swelling, fluid retention, stomach ailments, and to cleanse the liver.
Fresh Iris Flower Arrangements
Irises are a favorite in flower arrangements for all occasions. The pretty blooms pair well with spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and stock. Their bright hues also compliment summer varieties like sunflowers, gerber daisies, and snapdragons. Florists often design irises into vase arrangements where they will receive the water they need and their delicate petals will be protected from any bumps as they travel to their recipients.
Fresh cut irises are usually of the Dutch variety, and commonly come in shades of dark blue, light blue, purple, white, and yellow. Most irises will feature yellow striping on their petals, regardless of their dominant color. Irises are one of the few types of blue flowers, the least represented color in nature. Their vibrant blue hues make them perfect for any floral design requiring blue blooms, such as a gift for a baby boy, masculine arrangement, or for anyone with the favorite color blue.
