The parts of the iris
flower occur in groups of three. The sepals,
or outer 3 parts of the flower, are the
falling petals called the falls, which
usually droop. The petal-like part of the
fall is called the blade, the basal part is
the haft. The inner parts, or upright
petals, are called standards. Inside these
are 3 more petal-like and very narrow organs
called style arms.
There are many categories
of iris, however, the most common ones in
the landscape include four broad groups.
-
Bearded Iris
(also called pogons) have a fuzzy, often bright
colored "beard" on each falling petal
(i.e. fall).
-
Beardless Iris
(also called apogons) are
lacking this feature.
-
Crested Iris have a distinctive ridge or
"crest" on the fall.
-
Bulbous Iris do not have a
rhizome like
the others but rather survive as a bulb.
The iris is named for the Greek goddess of
the rainbow. Many species are called "flags"
because the sepals of the flowers hang out
like banners.
Care and Culture of Iris
- Iris
for the Home Landscape
