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Iris has many health benefits. The flower is incredibly beautiful and fragrant. Thanks to the abundance of blooming irises, Florence got its name. Now this magnificent flower flaunts on her coat of arms.
What does an iris plant look like?
According to the description, irises are perennial plants. Their stems are erect, and long xiphoid leaves rise directly from the root, which is quite close to the surface of the earth. The tops of the shoots are crowned with a large bright flower of a bizarre shape.
What does an iris flower look like?
Outwardly, the iris flower (pictured) looks unusual and resembles an orchid, but it is impossible to confuse them. Flowers have 3 petals, in the center there is a corolla of vertically arranged petals with inwardly curved edges.
Many people compare iris with a rainbow because of its multifaceted color.
In ancient Greece, this flower was named after the goddess Irida.
What does an iris flower smell like?
The smell of iris is as diverse as its color. Depending on the variety and stage of flowering, it exudes various aromas: honey, caramel, vanilla, citrus, chocolate. The game of smells has fascinated perfumers all over the world, for them it is the most perfect flower, many compositions have been created on its basis.
What are irises
Breeders have bred a huge number of irises – from miniature to tall large-flowered plants with different colors.
The most common are white, purple, yellow and blue.
There are plants with a mixed gradient color, as well as combining several colors.
Species are divided into rhizomatous, bulbous and Dutch. They are also miniature, table, bearded, small and large-flowered. After studying the photo and a brief description of the flowers, it is easy to choose from a wide variety of irises, the most suitable variety.
What is another name for iris?
The flower has several additional names popular among the people:
- “Kasatik” – in Our Country he was called that for the long flat leaves associated with the scythe;
- “Cockerel” or “Beer” – this is how Ukrainians call the culture for the proud tuft rising from the petals;
- “Perunika” – this name is popular in Croatia and Serbia, where the flower bears the name of the god of thunder and thunder – Perun.
How iris grows
The culture grows in flower beds, swamps, rocky slopes, rock gardens and rockeries.
An unpretentious plant that can revive any landscape
Prefers well-lit areas with loose rich soil. The ideal place is considered to be a hill. It grows on desert or steppe soils, along the banks of water bodies.
Wild-growing specimens bloom in early spring, when flowering they form a seed box with small seeds. In flowerbeds and front gardens, flowering begins later (in May).
In what natural area does iris grow?
Irises grow in almost all natural areas. They can be found in Europe, America, Our Country, Asia, as well as in several regions of Africa, but the temperate subtropical climate of the Northern Hemisphere is considered ideal natural conditions for them.
Does iris grow in the steppe
In the arid climate of the steppes, dwarf iris grows, according to the description, it reaches a height of 15 cm, and the diameter of flowers does not exceed 3 cm.
The flower is drought tolerant, often found in limestone and sandy lands.
Where does iris grow in Our Country
For the first time the flower was seen in the Mediterranean countries. The climate of northern latitudes is considered the most suitable for culture. Flowers are common in Baikal, the Caucasus, come across in Turkey and Komi.
Irises grow almost throughout Our Country. Most often found on forest edges and glades, as well as in the gardens of amateur flower growers. In the mountains of the Crimean peninsula, undersized irises grow, which, according to the description, are similar to a steppe dwarf flower, but the species that appeared on the sunny slopes of the Black Sea are a particularly magnificent sight.
The benefits of iris
Flowers are not only beautiful, they are useful for humans. Their roots contain tannins, organic substances, ascorbic acid and essential oils. Due to their chemical composition, they are widely used in medicine – not only in folk recipes, but also in official practice. The most valuable raw material for medicinal purposes is the root of the flower. In pharmacies, it is dispensed without a prescription.
Medicinal properties of orris root
The root of the culture in the pharmacy is found under the name “violet root”
The medicinal properties of orris root are used in official medicine. It is recommended as an analgesic, antitumor and sedative. A decoction of violet root treats pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, it is taken for stomach pain and fever.
The remedy is prescribed to relieve labor pains. It has an antifungal and antibacterial effect. It is good to use orris root during teething in babies. It relieves pain and irritation of the gums, preventing their infection.
In India, orris root is used as a diuretic, but in addition to its medicinal properties, it also has contraindications, so before use, you must carefully read the instructions and follow the dosage.
Application of iris
Iris is used for various industrial purposes: in medicine, perfumery, cooking, cosmetology. Based on it, many perfumes and cosmetics have been created. The aromas of the flower also attract culinary specialists who actively use it for their own purposes. It is also interesting for specialists in aromatherapy, creators of air fresheners. Traditional medicine offers many recipes based on orris root.
In folk medicine
Preparations and decoctions based on violet root help with many diseases and are actively recommended by traditional healers.
In folk medicine, an infusion of orris root is popular, which is taken 100-200 ml per day.
Preparation:
- The root of the plant must be thoroughly washed, cleaned and crushed.
- Brew in a thermos at the rate of 2 tsp. for 300 ml of boiling water.
- Leave for 6 hours.
- Strain.
Seven terrible ailments that violet root will help to cope with:
- cystitis – the diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect of iris helps to get rid of the problem forever;
- edema – removes excess fluid from the body without putting a strong burden on the kidneys;
- cancerous ulcers – the immunostimulating components of the plant inhibit the development of the disease and the process of reproduction of aggressive cells, gradually dissolving them;
- infected abscesses and suppurations – an infusion of iris cleanses the wound of purulent formations, stopping the process of decay;
- bone tuberculosis – in complex treatment with special-purpose drugs, it kills the tubercle bacillus, significantly improving the physical condition of the patient;
- diarrhea – heals quickly and effectively, destroying pathogens;
- poisoning – by binding toxic substances, it removes them from the body and helps to cope with the consequences.
It is forbidden to use preparations based on orris root for the following diseases and conditions:
- varicose veins;
- thrombosis;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- hypersensitivity to components;
- increased rates of blood clotting.
In cosmetology
Cosmetics based on iris flowers have antioxidant and regenerating properties.
In cosmetology, essential oil from iris flowers is actively used. It effectively fights pigmentation, wrinkles and flaking. Cosmetologists call it rejuvenating, because the oil moisturizes aging skin, improves its regeneration, restores its former elasticity, relieves irritation and inflammation.
Hair care products with iris flower extract strengthen the roots, preventing hair loss.
In the perfume industry
Perfumers appreciate iris for its multifaceted fragrance, playing with tones and shades. It can alternately change the mood, displaying the smell of powder, the sweetness of vanilla, or the freshness of morning dew.
Perfume products based on iris fragrance are not classified as gentle and calm, but as bright, romantic and memorable.
In aromatherapy
Experts recommend that sensitive people inhale ethers from iris flowers more often. They have a beneficial effect on the psyche, relieve stress and improve mood, as well as improve sleep, optimize brain activity, and relieve moral fatigue.
In cooking
Confectioners use toffee powder as a flavor additive in cream, dessert, bakery and confectionery products.
To obtain a powder, the orris root is dried for a long time
Southern peoples make jam from its petals. As a flavoring agent, it is added to alcoholic beverages. A small amount of iris is included in some spices for fish.
The meaning of irises
The meaning of the flower is ambiguous. Hippocrates named it after the goddess Irida, who descended from heaven only to convey to people the will of the gods. Since then, he has become associated with rosy events and good news.
Later, in ancient Greece, a tradition was born to plant them on the graves of women. People believed that when they saw bright flowers, Irida would definitely come for them and take the dead women to another world, which gave the iris a different meaning – the guide of souls.
For the Japanese, this is a male flower, it symbolizes courage and courage. In this country, they even celebrate the day of irises (boys’ holiday). On the day of the holiday, young men and men take a bath with iris buds, and on the eve they decorate their homes with many bouquets of irises.
The French associate iris with greatness and power, and Christians with sadness, pain and sorrow. The flower acquired this meaning thanks to the images of the Virgin Mary, which often contain iris. The theme was the reason for its cultivation in monasteries and temples.
Interesting facts and legends about irises
The flower is associated not only with the name of Irida, but also with outer space. Astronomers have discovered andromeda in the constellation Cepheus, strikingly similar to an iris flower. Now it is called the Iris Nebula.
The plant is remarkably old. Back in the 4000th century, the walls of the Taj Mahal were inlaid with a pattern of iris flowers, and a fresco of the Palace of Knossos (Crete), which is more than XNUMX years old, depicts a priest surrounded by irises.
The flower is listed in the Red Book of many regions of the country: the Saratov and Kurgan regions, the Perm Territory, Dagestan, Bashkiria, North Ossetia, the Chechen Republic and Moscow.
Some varieties of irises are able to stretch out to human height. They are used in landscape design to decorate artificial and natural reservoirs.
Conclusion
Iris is a flower with an interesting history. The beneficial properties of the culture are scientifically confirmed and recognized throughout the world, and the aroma is attractive to absolutely everyone.
