bearded iris
Quick Summary
Bearded irises are a type of iris plant characterized by a growth of short hairs on each of their falls, which are the drooping outer segments of the flower. The genus Iris encompasses about 300 species of flowering plants, many of which are popular garden flowers.12
Irises can be either bulbous or rhizomatous, meaning they grow from bulbs or thick underground stems, respectively. The flowers typically have three sepals, three petals, and three stigma branches, with the inner segments called standards and the outer ones called falls.2
The most well-known bearded irises are hybrids derived from species like Iris pallida and I. variegata. These are hardy, rhizomatous plants with sword-like leaves and tall stems bearing multiple flowers in various colors. Beardless irises, in contrast, lack the characteristic "beard" found on the falls of bearded varieties.23
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IridaceaeMajor genera and species…known are the bearded, or German, group—the common garden irises, many of which are hybrids. The water-loving Japanese iris (Iris ensata), frequently featured in Japanese watercolours. The yellow, or water, flag (I. pseudacorus) is a swamp plant native to Eurasia and North Africa; the blue flag (I. versicolor) occupies similar…
Read More…known are the bearded, or German, group—the common garden irises, many of which are hybrids. The water-loving Japanese iris (Iris ensata), frequently featured in Japanese watercolours. The yellow, or water, flag (I. pseudacorus) is a swamp plant native to Eurasia and North Africa; the blue flag (I. versicolor) occupies similar…
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irisMajor speciesBest known are the bearded, or German, group—the common garden irises. These are largely hybrids of pale blue Iris pallida, yellow I. variegata, purple-blue I. germanica, and perhaps other southern European species. They are hardy rhizomatous types with sturdy swordlike leaves and tall stems (to 90 cm [3 feet])…
Read MoreBest known are the bearded, or German, group—the common garden irises. These are largely hybrids of pale blue Iris pallida, yellow I. variegata, purple-blue I. germanica, and perhaps other southern European species. They are hardy rhizomatous types with sturdy swordlike leaves and tall stems (to 90 cm [3 feet])…
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