2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
The ornamental plant Iris, popular all over the world, has a large number of varieties. Among the rich variety, there are three varieties that are used for medicinal purposes, as well as in the food and perfume industries. These are “Pale Iris”, “German Iris” and “Florentine Iris”
Distribution in nature
These three types of iris are considered to be native to Central and Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, where they grow in highlands and often run wild. And they have been cultivated in Europe, Asia Minor and Africa since the 15th century.
The name "Iris", given to the whole variety of this kind of plants, translates as "rainbow". This name reflects a wide variety of colors, as well as shades of flowers. Iris is one of the most famous and beloved perennials by gardeners.
Description
Perennial herbaceous irises grow up to 70-90 centimeters in height. For medicinal purposes, their powerful thick rhizome is used. It is tuberous-thickened, light brown in color, branched, thick and dense. The rhizome has adventitious roots. Gradually dying off from below, the rhizome leaves young tubers. New young leaves and flowering shoots grow from them.
Basal xiphoid leaves grow up to 60 centimeters in length. The leaves are two-rowed, colored bluish-green with a bluish bloom.
At the ends of the flowering shoots, numerous large flowers sit. The color of the flowers is very diverse. Numerous varieties of iris, differing in color, are derived from German iris, which itself is most likely a hybrid.
Growing
These three types of irises are no different from most plants that love sunny places.
But they are more unpretentious to soils, if only it is neutral or slightly acidic, and also able to retain moisture, which is necessary especially during the flowering period of the plant.
Irises are propagated in the second half of August, without delaying the transplant, so that the plant has time to take root and prevent frosts from pushing itself out of the soil. Divide their powerful rhizome so that the planting part has from 1 to 3 accrete annual links. In one place, irises feel great for 5 years.
Use in the garden
The most spectacular are the pale iris, the Germanic iris and the Florentine iris during their flowering, which occurs in the first half of summer. Thanks to the powerful rhizome, irises grow rather quickly, forming loose clumps.
Irises are regulars in mixborders, where they are placed in the background or middle plan in the vicinity of other ornamental plants.
They love to be planted on the banks of reservoirs. They look beautiful against the background of large stones, a small clump on a green lawn. Suitable for nature gardens, Moorish lawns.
Irises are good for cutting and are used in bouquets.
Use for food and in everyday life
Dried and ground iris rhizomes are included in tooth powders, powder, and cough teas. Rhizome flour is used in the confectionery industry.
Alcoholic drinks are flavored with iris, and in Armenia jam is made from flowers.
In the production of the highest quality perfumes, iris essential oil is used.
Healing action
For medicinal use, the dried root must have a pleasant violet scent. Such roots are called “violet root”. They contain essential oil. Iris flowers are also famous for valuable essential oils.
From rhizomes, infusions and decoctions are prepared, which have anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, expectorant, laxative effects.
Collection and procurement
For medicinal purposes, rhizomes of 3-4 years old are dug out either in the spring, before the beginning of the growing season, or in the fall. They are thoroughly washed, cleaned from corky parts, and removed from adventitious roots. Clean rhizomes are cut into pieces and dried in the shade of ventilated sheds. When tumble dry, the temperature should be no more than 35 degrees.
Contraindications: So far, no side effects have been identified.
Photos from the Internet: from top to bottom - Florentine iris, Germanic iris, pale iris.
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