Louisiana Native Jris 
By JOE G. RICHARD* 
“Tris,” a Greek word meaning rainbow, is symbolic of the beau- 
tiful family of flowers. In Greek mythology the goddess Iris was 
the personal attendant and messenger of Juno. She is frequently 
referred to as the “Goddess of the Rainbow.” The poet, Virgil, 
described “Iris of saffron wing, displaying against the sun her robe 
of a thousand hues.” 
The “flag” or “iris” is mentioned in many historical writings. 
In the Book of Job, one of the three friends, Bildad, the Shubite, 
asks, “Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow with- 
out water?” 
The Iris as a genus is confined to the Northern Hemisphere 
but is found around the globe from the edge of the Arctic region 
to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean. Since the cork-like 
seeds are commonly water borne, the ancestors of the present day 
Louisiana natives probably moved South on the flood waters of 
long ago. Many forms of Irises grow naturally in many areas of 
the United States. This publication, however, deals solely with 
Louisiana native Irises. 
The Louisiana native Irises have gained national acclaim and 
are becoming more popular with the amateur collectors and garden- 
ers, both for their variety of color and beauty of flower. The 
blooming season starts in March on the Gulf Coast and moves 
northward with the season. The low areas of Louisiana along the 
edges of its numerous streams have been planted with a wide dis- 
tribution of the floating native Iris seeds. 
As a garden flower, the wild Irises do well under a wide variety 
of soil and garden conditions and landscapes. They will thrive on 
highlands and on lowlands. Bog culture is ideal if landscape per- 
mits. The shallow edge of a lake or pond is a most naturalistic spot 
. for Louisiana Irises. 

*Assistant Director and State Agent, Agricultural Extension Service, 
Louisiana State University and A. & M. College. 
3 
