DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 251 



IRIS. —Flo WER-DE-LucE. 



[The Greek name for the rainbow, applied to this genus on account of its 

 varied colors.] 



*' The Flowers-de-Luce, and the round sparks of dew- 

 That hung upon their azure leaves did show 

 Like twinkling stars, that sparkle in the evening dew." 



According to Plutarch, the \vord Iris is signified in the 

 ancient Egyptian language, eye ; the eye of heaven. This 

 beautiful genus abounds in Euroj^e, but is rare in America. 

 Some are bulbous, but the gi-eater part tuberous rooted, 

 of easy culture, and propagated by seed or division of 

 the root. 



IrisSusiana. — Chalcedonian Iris. — In French, X'^>^s de 

 Suse^ or de Constantinople^ is one of the most beautiful 

 of the genus ; it is not a bulbous root, but tuberous, im- 

 ported with bulbous roots from Holland, and planted at 

 tlie same time, and manner, except that the soil should be 

 of a more loamy character. It has the largest flowers of 

 any of the species, and is the most magnificent of them all. 

 The colors of the flowers are of various shades of the 

 richest purplish-brown, beautifully mottled and spotted, 

 so as to give it a very rich and unique appearance. It 

 produces its flowers in June, on stems a foot high. It 

 may be increased by parting the roots in autumn. Tliis 

 splendid flower is reputed to be tender ; but I have planted 

 it in October and November and even in December, with 

 success, giving the same protection as to Tulips or Hya- 

 cinths ; but, if the roots are sufiered to remain in the 

 ground after flowering, it is not so likely to flower again, 

 and will probably perish. If left in the ground through 

 tlie summer, it commences growing in autumn, forms its 

 flower-buds before winter sets in, and dies. Observing 

 this, I have taken up the roots the first of August, and 

 kept them out of the ground till the time of planting 

 in autumn, with perfect success. After drying, the roots 

 should be kept in a cool place in dry moss or sand. 



