122 Tall Bearded Iris 



soon be found on them and on the rootlets they will 

 then send out. 



Roots are not as persistent as rhizomes. If the 

 roots of a new branch have perished or been removed 

 it will send out others, but an old rhizome under like 

 circumstances will not, but roots will issue from new 

 branches from it. 



FOLIAGE. — The foliage of all varieties is highly 

 decorative. The strong, erect or gracefully drooping 

 leaves are broad and swordlike — 



Living swords, innocent of blood. 

 Never stained with the crimson flood. 



* * * through the wave 



The dark Flag cut its swift way hke a glaive. 



Dora Greenwell: A Vision of Green Leaves. 



Iris in samite of purple befitting a queen 

 Summon the aid of your guardian lancers in green, 

 Fend off that opal-winged dragon-fly, sapphire of sheen, 

 Assailing with blue-mailed metals 

 The veiling soft sheaves of your petals. 



Anne H. Spicer: Morning Hymn to The Skokie. 



The leaves grow directly from the rhizome, from 

 its apex or from buds (incipient branches) from the 

 side of the rhizome, in fan shape — hence a cluster of 

 leaves having a piece of the rhizome attached is some- 



